An Open Request of the Memphis Grizzlies

As training camp begins with Media Day on Monday September 29, there will be lots of questions for the Memphis Grizzlies. 

I have one request. 

My request is directed at Michael Heisley, Marc Iavaroni, Chris Wallace, Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, and everyone involved with the Memphis Grizzlies today or any time throughout this season.

WIN.

I don't care about trading Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown as long as we win.

I don't care about 0-12 in the playoffs as long as we win.

I don't care about the mismanaged 'sale' of the team as long as we win.

I don't care about 2 straight seasons of 22 wins if we win now.

If we win this season, I don't care about the beginning of every season prior when I've raised my hopes because of our 'pontetial' only to have those hopes crushed.

If we win this season, I don't care about the end of every season prior when I've raised my hopes about winning the draft lottery only to have those hopes crushed.

If we don't win, I don't care about developing young talent.

If we don't win, I don't care about anybody's potential.

But if we win, the entire slate is wiped clean.

If we win, I won't have to hang my head around my friends from LA and Detroit. 

If we win, we are not the laughing stock of the NBA (along with the Knicks).

If we win, Marc Stein cannot write, "Swapping Vancouver for Memphis might be the worst trade in NBA history."

It is time for change we can believe in. 

Win.

Now.

Please.

Coming Down from my Buzz

Apparently, Darrell Arthur did not smoke weed. Perhaps Zach Randolph can help. 

Either way, what I really care about is that Arthur and Randolph, should the Grizzlies trade for him, play better than Pau Gasol did. (Do you think a toke or two before the game would have improved Gasol's defense or slowed him down? Please comment below.) 

Last year sort of felt like a really bad trip. Maybe it's paranoia, but I have this nagging feeling that the team is going to lose 50-60 games this year as well.

Even worse: the Grizzlies might trade for Randolph, who doesn't play defense or win basketball games, but does take away a great deal of salary cap flexibility...

Let's Get High

ESPN broke a story today about Grizzlies rookie Darrell Arthur (and former teamate Mario Chalmers) being caught with Marijuana in their room at a rookie orientation program.

This may result in a suspension and a lecture from Michael Heisley. Personally, I don't care if Arthur smokes weed. Some of my favorite people smoke weed. As long as it doesn't affect his performance on the court, I'd rather Arthur smoke weed, than participate in more dangerous activities like snowboarding or motorcycling.

In fact, the NBA should only test and punish players for using substances that enhance performance or give an unfair advantage. 

Unfortunately, the NBA does repremand players caught using marjuana. My disappointment with Arthur is that he took the risk given that he knew the consequences of getting caught. If you work hard enough to make it to the NBA, you may as well give up weed for 10 years so you don't screw up your shot. 

Other than being suspended, it's not that big of a deal. After all, Damon Stoudamire was caught carrying marijauna wrapped in tin foil though an airport metal detector. If Arthur proves to be a good player and shows some toughness, then a boneheaded move like this won't mean anything. There are many great players who have been caught doing much worse.

In the meantime, there are some amusing comments from fans over at the Commercial Appeal.

On a completely unrelated note: In an earlier post, I mentioned that John Hollinger is the only good writer at ESPN. The folks at ESPN must be reading my blog because they responded today with one of the worst chats I have ever read. 

Who is this David Thorpe guy? Does he think it is funny or informative when he answers questions with 'Zzzzzz'? If he doesn't like the question, perhaps he could pick another and provide some actual insight. Or maybe he doesn't have any insight to provide. 

Here's another example of an exchange: 

josh (paris, France): Denver is rebuilding some are saying... Iverson (in his juicy final contract year) could be on the move in the next few months ? 

David Thorpe: I agree. 

I don't get to read these chats often because they are usually exclusive to folks who pay for an ESPN Insider Membership. If the editors at ESPN think I'm going to pay for this crap, they must be smoking weed.

200:1

Those are the odds that the Grizzlies will win the NBA Championship next season according to the sports book at Reno, NV's Silver Legacy Casino.

I didn't place a bet.

The Grizzlies, along with Oklahoma City, had the worst chance. New York's odds were 100:1, and I *think* the Wolves came in at 150:1.

Pau Gasol's Lakers have the best odds: 12:5. If you're in Reno, I recommend sticking to the Blackjack tables.