The Grizzlies are also pursuing a strategy of intentionally getting worse. Remember that whole to-do about conveying the #18 pick to (then-)Vancouver so they could send it to Detroit? The point of that was if they didn't send a pick this year, the Pistons could take the Grizzlies' first-round pick next year ... unless it is in the top 5. They intend to keep that pick. ------------------ "I personally wouldn't give up my college years for anything. It was the funnest time I have ever had. But with the money they are getting, you can't blame a kid for coming out." —Jazz forward Scott Padgett, demonstrating the value of a college education
It seems everyone is conveniently overlooking this: Bibby and Abdur-Rahim were traded because they didn't want to be Grizzlies anymore. They asked the new owner for a trade and he promised them he'd trade them (I wouldn't have, but I think he figured he'd rather not have people who didn't want to be there). He traded at a loss just to get the bad seeds out of town. He did the same with Othella Harrington. He'll probably would do the same thing for anyone else who didn't want to play for them. So, why would Memphis want to get rid of Dickerson and Swift? Especially Swift, who (1) hasn't had time enough to be completely demoralized, and (2) was picked by the new regime with the understanding that he was a 'potential' guy that needed a few years of seasoning before he could really contribute. And why would anyone want to take, not one, but two injury-prone players who have big contracts? They are not thinking that maybe they'll stop getting hurt. And I don't think the Grizzlies are thinking PR at all -- what bigger PR move can they make then to move to town in the first place? ** As for Dallas, I also think they will win the Midwest. They are loaded with talent and have the best morale in the league. I think they'll be competing for the championship this coming season. ------------------ RealGM Gafford Art Artisan Cakes
Okay, I like the Pheonix Suns' offseason in regards for the future, but the whole reason I posted this topic is because I want everyone's opinion on next year (the near future). How do you think they stack up in the west? Personally, I think the Rockets or the Clippers could steal Pheonix's playoff berth. Well, it's what I'm hoping anyway. Oh yeah. Dallas most definitely can acheive a better record than the Spurs. San Antonio hasn't exactly have the dream offseason. ------------------ Long Live The Catomic Bomb. DON'T TRADE DOTEL!
It is a perfect move for the Gizzards to trade MD and Swift. Trading MD would insure they moved their third best player in their franchise after Abdur-Rahim (their best player) and Bibby. As terrible as the Bibby trade was (at least in a basketball sense, maybe not a marketing sense), I think people underestimate how bad the Abdur-Rahim was for them as well. Think about it this way, he is less than 2 years older than Battier and has already had multiple NBA seasons at around 20/10 (what Battier has done in COLLEGE) with few injuries and decent blocks/steals #s. Those are #1 or #2 pick quality type numbers by a proven young player. The Gizzards should have kept their proven young stud (Rahim) and then drafted Gasol, or if Gasol was gone (doubtfully), they could have still added Griffin (thankfully they didn't) or Battier. The Gizzard's have sucked because they have been in a loaded conference and had only 2 good players and one very good players. Yeah, instead of addressing your weaknesses (4,5 positions and depth) trade away your bonifide good all-around (and young) NBA players for unknowns who hope to be as good as the guys they traded. Brilliant. As for the Suns, they at least have a vision. Acquire a younger proven NBA player and trade your old guys away. Go ahead and return to suckyness for a few years but have young proven guys to build around (Marbury, Marion). The difference is the Gizzards forgot to keep their buidling blocks, DOH!!! If there is one hurdle from the Suns perspective in the trade is that terrible BC coutract, but you know the Suns would love to lose Hardaway and Googs who have no long-term future with them and are just average enough players in this stage in their careers to help prevent the Suns from getting in the lower part of the lottery. They would love to get MD (a young good 2) and Swift (at least he still has potential) for them if it didn't involve BC.
