Unfortunately not with us Thursday August 3 7:44 PM ET Massenburg Signs With Grizzlies VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Tony Massenburg is ready for a third tour of NBA duty in Canada. The much-traveled 6-foot-9 forward returned to the Vancouver Grizzlies as a free agent Thursday after spending last season with the Houston Rockets. Massenburg played two of his most productive seasons in the NBA with the Grizzlies from 1997-98 through 1998-99, averaging 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. He was a part of the blockbuster trade a year ago that sent Steve Francis to Houston for Michael Dickerson and Othella Harrington. ``I didn't want to leave and I had no control over that,'' said Massenburg, who has played for 10 NBA teams, including both Canadian franchises. ``With the things that I was able to accomplish here, it was a really sad and hard thing for me to do. I feel like I've played some of my best basketball in Vancouver and I think my best basketball is still to come - in Vancouver, fortunately.'' Massenburg signed under the mid-level exception. The length of his contract was not disclosed. Massenburg, 33, averaged 4.6 points and shot .444 from the field last season when he played only 10 games due to a groin injury. Dick Versace, the Grizzlies' president of basketball operations, spoke highly of Massenburg's professionalism. ``He brings to the table what we were looking for,'' he said. ``And we like the fact that he is such a pro. He clearly knows who he is and what he has to do. He's upbeat and a cheerful guy. And he's a skill player. Plus, he brings toughness.'' Massenburg, whose last stint in Vancouver came under Stu Jackson's regime, likes what he sees of Versace. ``I think Dick's done a great job of planning things and putting a blueprint together and seeing where we want to go in the future,'' said Massenburg, before cracking up the room with this line: ``The addition of myself is probably his most brilliant move.'' The addition of Massenburg creates a logjam in the Grizzlies' frontcourt, perhaps paving the way for a trade of either Othella Harrington or Grant Long. Massenburg provides more depth in that he plays both the power forward and center positions. Massenburg was originally drafted 43rd overall by San Antonio in 1990. ``I don't know how many teams I've played for because I stopped counting a long time ago,'' he said. ------------------ "The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life." ---George Carlin [This message has been edited by BobFinn* (edited August 03, 2000).]
Here Tony take your million you didn't deserve last year and take this tomato back to Vancouver with you <font color="#ffffff"> . . . . . .. . . . . . . . </font>
who needs him, please let us get Forston if not give Dench a go ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent
See Yaaaaaa Don't let the door knob hit you, where the good lord split you. ------------------ Soon to be a Member of CCC. inc Pledgee T_Man
They are definitly getting rid of Harrington now. What's the value and lenght of Othella's contract? ------------------ "Never underestimate the heart of a champion"
Now that we gave the Grizzlies their PF back, maybe they should give us our Othello back. Even trade, is it not? He could have been solid for us. It's a pity he got injured. Turns out Massenburg didn't want to be with us, rather than it being a case that the Rockets ignored him. From what I can gather, the Rockets did want him back. Maybe they just didn't pursue him in the way he wanted them to. He says his best basketball is yet to come...let's wait and see. ------------------ Nederland 2002 Qualifying Campaign (Damn those penalties!!!) Houston Rockets Space Center- Not just another ClutchCity.NET clone. We're that and more!
Sounds fair to me Ace Lets get Othella back!!!! ------------------ "The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life." ---George Carlin
His best basketball is yet to come? Better than 4.6 a game? Watch out NBA, here comes TMass! ------------------ Kenny Thomas had a foul called on him in the Western Conference Finals.
Congratulations, Massenburg. I would have liked to have him back on the Rockets, healthy, but he seems to have liked living up in BC and I'm glad he was able to go back. He's in his 30s now, so it'll be good for him if he can stay with a team for the rest of his career instead of moving every 8 months. ------------------ Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
Looks like the Rockets didn't have any interest in him. I liked what little I saw of him, but can't blame them for letting him go without a fight. ------------------ "I've been licking this carpet for hours and I still don't feel like a lesbian!"
I don't remember him ever playing for the Rockets. He's a good backup PF but nothing special. Maybe the Rockets let him go becuz they are planning on signing ot trading for a PF. ------------------
Are we going to throw tomatoes at Tony when he comes back to Houston. Fool took millions from Leslie. ------------------ Fun Police Says: 1. Insulting fellow posters without my permission is not FUN! 2. Spelling, grammar and sentence structure are not FUN! 3. Stupid BBS names are not FUN! 4. Annoying Mango can be really FUN! 5. Conduct yourself in a FUN way! The Fun Police are Watching. Eat MANGOES & Have FUN or be Assimilated.
I for one won't shed any tears that we didn't resign Massenburg. He missed our entire training camp with back spasms and then suffered a 72 game groin pull. What a WUSS! So long Massenburg and welcome Tyronne Washington (the work-horse) who hasn't missed games due to injury while at Mississippi State or in Italy. You don't believe me, look it up! Most likely both Olajuwon and Cato will miss a significant number of games next year due to injuries, the last thing we need is an injury prone waste of cap space like Massenburg backing them up. I predict that Massenburg will miss Vancouver's training camp due to tennis elbow and then he will miss the entire regular season with irritable bowl syndrome. Come time for the playoffs he will be ready, but of course Vancouver won't make it to the post-season. I've never been more disgusted with anyone that we have traded for than Massenburg (including Scottie Pimpin). ADIOS SUCKER!!! ------------------ [This message has been edited by Swami (edited August 04, 2000).]
The season hasnt even started and the great Swami is predicting Cato missing significant time. Should I be worried? ------------------ Fun Police Says: 1. Insulting fellow posters without my permission is not FUN! 2. Spelling, grammar and sentence structure are not FUN! 3. Stupid BBS names are not FUN! 4. Annoying Mango can be really FUN! 5. Conduct yourself in a FUN way! The Fun Police are Watching. Eat MANGOES & Have FUN or be Assimilated.
Hey Massenburg, why don't you and Bo outlaw go start a club made for hosers. Yeah!... and name it, The Hosers Society, or better yet Hosers R Us. ------------------
What the heck is a "hoser"? ------------------ Fun Police Says: 1. Insulting fellow posters without my permission is not FUN! 2. Spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure are not FUN! 3. Stupid BBS names are not FUN! 4. Annoying Mango can be really FUN! 5. Conduct yourself in a FUN way! The Fun Police are Watching. Eat MANGOES & Have FUN or be Assimilated.
Rockets03: Did you remember the movie Strange Brew? Calling someone a hoser, is a way of grilling someone for doing something stupid or silly. Massenburg and Outlaw are hosers. ------------------
Cato had a multiple ankle sprains and a wrist injury last season. He didn't appear at all in 17 games last season while playing only limited minutes. You do the math Einstien! You may want to count Cato to play all 82 games next season, but I don't think it prudent. Back to my original point, we could use a dependable defensive workhorse in the paint (a backup for the inevitable injuries to our big men). ------------------
I'm glad to see Tony Massacre go! I guess it's a shame he couldn't "play" for us again, but i also will be tearless, in fact I'm celebratin'..."Kids let's go to the park!!!!" ------------------
