WTF: Memphis Grizzlies Fan
No Explanation
Back on Wednesday night the Memphis Grizzlies evened up the playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers one apiece. In going all out in game two of the series after losing the home court advantage Marc Gasol took a tumble in front of the home fans.
That’s when a Memphis fan decided to put his finger in Gasol’s butt. Yes Gasol got fondled by a fan and his two fingers.
WTF: Marc Gasol
Scoreboard
Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol is a bad man and an up incoming center in the NBA but before the professionals feared him high school kids made fun of him. Gasol used to be referred to as “the Big Burrito” in high school because he was chubby.
Dan Gilbert Calls Proposed Chris Paul Trade A Travesty In Email
Couldn't Find Bloggissist In Merriam Webster
Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert sent an email to David Stern in which he explicitly urged the Commissioner to stop the proposed trade of New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Commissioner,
It would be a travesty to allow the Lakers to acquire Chris Paul in the apparent trade being discussed.
This trade should go to a vote of the 29 owners of the Hornets.
Over the next three seasons this deal would save the Lakers approximately $20 million in salaries and approximately $21 million in luxury taxes. That $21 million goes to non-taxpaying teams and to fund revenue sharing.
I cannot remember ever seeing a trade where a team got by far the best player in the trade and saved over $40 million in the process. And it doesn’t appear that they would give up any draft picks, which might allow to later make a trade for Dwight Howard. (They would also get a large trade exception that would help them improve their team and/or eventually trade for Howard.) When the Lakers got Pau Gasol (at the time considered an extremely lopsided trade) they took on tens of millions in additional salary and luxury tax and they gave up a number of prospects (one in Marc Gasol who may become a max-salary player).
I just don’t see how we can allow this trade to happen.
I know the vast majority of owners feel the same way that I do.
When will we just change the name of 25 of the 30 teams to the Washington Generals?
Please advise….
Dan G.
*And, no, the email was not in the same comic sans font that Gilbert used to excoriate LeBron James after “The Decision.”
Hasheem Thabeet’s Impressive D-League Debut
A lot of people have rushed to labeling Memphis Grizzlies Hasheem Thabeet a bust because he was sent down to the NBA Developmental League. I know it’s not a good look especially being the number 2 overall draft pick and you might not have agreed with him being picked that high on draft night.
Lets just keep a few Thabeet factors in mind before labeling him a bust, like: he hasn’t been playing basketball his whole life, Marc Gasol is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds a night, and why not keep him in tune or basketball shape instead of riding the 12th man spot on the bench. I know you’ll might not agree but that’s just what I see when I’m sitting down at the table.
Thabeets final D-League debut numbers was 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 assists.
NBA Announces Rookie Challenge Participants
Rookie Challenge
Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, the reigning T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the leading scorer among first-year players, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Febuary 12 in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010. San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair will also be making an appearance for the Rookie Team.
The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.
At halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, the Los Angeles Clippers Eric Gordon and the Toronto Raptors DeMar DeRozan will compete in the first NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In, a single-round slam dunk competition. Fans will be able to vote via text message and at NBA.com to determine who will advance to the Sprite Slam Dunk the following night.
The Sophomore Team:
| Player (Team) | Position | Height | School |
| Michael Beasley (Heat) | F | 6-9 | Kansas State |
| Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) | C | 7-1 | Spain |
| Danilo Gallinari (Knicks) | G-F | 6-10 | Italy |
| Eric Gordon (Clippers) | G | 6-3 | Indiana |
| Brook Lopez (Nets) | C | 7-0 | Stanford |
| Kevin Love (Timberwolves) | F-C | 6-10 | UCLA |
| O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies) | G | 6-4 | USC |
| Derrick Rose (Bulls) | G | 6-3 | Memphis |
| Russell Westbrook (Thunder) | G | 6-3 | UCLA |
The Rookie Team:
| Player (Team) | Position | Height | School |
| Omri Casspi (Kings) | F | 6-9 | Israel |
| DeJuan Blair (Spurs) | F-C | 6-7 | Pittsburgh |
| Stephen Curry (Warriors) | G | 6-3 | Davidson |
| Tyreke Evans (Kings) | G | 6-6 | Memphis |
| Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves) | G | 6-0 | Syracuse |
| Taj Gibson (Bulls) | F | 6-9 | USC |
| James Harden (Thunder) | G | 6-5 | Arizona State |
| Brandon Jennings (Bucks) | G | 6-1 | Lottomatica Roma Italy |
| Jonas Jerebko (Pistons) | F | 6-10 | Sweden |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Memphis Grizzlies Talks Heat Up
History Class 38,387
The Grizzlies still are in “serious negotiations” with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help top draft pick Hasheem Thabeet, according to team owner Michael Heisley. Abdul-Jabbar has already visited Memphis back on October 25 attending a practice and meeting with serveral Grizzlies players. Heisley said both sides are trying to iron out a working arrangement.
“It’s a matter of how much time Kareem will give to us,” Heisley said. “We’re trying to come to an understanding of how Kareem will work. I want to make sure we’re getting somebody who will give attention to these kids and help them. He’s got a lot of commitments.”
Abdul-Jabbar, 62, is still under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers after having tutored Andrew Bynum over the past several seasons. Memphis, however, asked for and received permission from the Lakers to speak with Abdul-Jabbar.
“He wants to come and we want him to come,” Heisley said. “It’s really a question of whether he’s got commitments that will keep him away from the team more than we’d like.”
The Grizzlies have three centers, Marc Gasol, Hamed Haddadi and Thabeet, who could benefit from Abdul-Jabbar’s knowledge and experience. Abdul-Jabbar spent diner with the three centers when he visited back in October and has also met with Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins and general manager Chris Wallace. Heisley confirmed that Abdul-Jabbar would essentially be a consultant if a deal is reached.
“I don’t think there’s any question he can help our young guys,” Heisley said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Abdul-Jabbar is is arguably the best center to ever play in the NBA and the man needs a full time job. Hopefully he can take time off from filming another Airplane film and make this Memphis connection work.
