April 2013 Memphis Grizzlies Wiretap

Levien Fails To Endorse Retaining Hollins

May 29, 2013 11:41 PM

Memphis Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien failed to fully support bringing back Lionel Hollins as head coach in an interview after the season ended in a sweep to the San Antonio Spurs.

"Certainly Lionel was a great asset to us, and he was here long before we got here and we’re very proud of the way the team performed and certainly disappointed by the ending," Levien said. "It was an emotional evening and an emotional day today with the players, and that’s where our focus has been."

When asked whether he would want Hollins back, Levien said: "I think what I would say at this point is … up to this point, we said we didn’t want to negotiate or talk about his contract status publicly and I think we’re going to stick with that."

Still, Levien said the Grizzlies plan to move quickly in the coaching process.

Teresa M. Walker/Associated Press

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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21 NBA Teams To Compete In 2013 Vegas Summer League

May 29, 2013 1:52 PM

The 2013 Vegas Summer League will be comprised of 22 teams and run from July 12 to July 22.

Atlanta Hawks (2010-12)
Charlotte Bobcats (2008, 2012)
Chicago Bulls (2005, 2009-12)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2004-12)
Dallas Mavericks (2005-12)
Denver Nuggets (2004-12)
Golden State Warriors (2005-12)
L.A. Clippers (2005-12)
L.A. Lakers (2007-12)
Memphis Grizzlies (2007-12)
Miami Heat (2010-12)
Milwaukee Bucks (2007-12)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-12)
NBA D-League Select (2009-12)
New Orleans Pelicans (2005-12)
New York Knicks (2005-12)
Phoenix Suns (2004-12)
Portland Trail Blazers (2005-12)
Sacramento Kings (2005-12)
San Antonio Spurs (2007-12)
Toronto Raptors (2008-12)
Washington Wizards (2004-12)

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, NBA, NBA Summer League

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Sources: Relationship Between Hollins, Randolph Strained At Times

May 28, 2013 1:42 PM

Lionel Hollins' relationship with Zach Randolph has been strained at times throughout the Memphis Grizzlies' season, according to sources.

With the Grizzlies' season over in a sweep to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals, Hollins will be a free agent coach.

Randolph averaged just 10.4 points in the series.

Both Hollins and Grizzlies management appear to want to stay together.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Tony Allen Hopes To Re-Sign With Grizzlies

May 25, 2013 7:41 PM

Tony Allen will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end, but the 31-year-old defensive specialist would prefer to remain a Memphis Grizzly.

"I don't even understand the business side," Allen said. "When July hits, somebody is going to have to sit me down and explain it. All I know is I'm a Grizzly and I believe I'm going to be a Grizzly when it's over with.

"I bleed blue. I think they going to keep me. But if they don't, I understand.

"I don't even think about it now. I just play. I love being in Memphis. I love the city. Hopefully I stay here. It feels like home."

Allen is earning a reported $3.3 million this season.

Ramona Shelburne/ESPNLosAngeles

Tags: Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Mavericks Interested In Jarrett Jack, Bayless

May 23, 2013 12:59 PM

The Dallas Mavericks are expected to pursue Jarrett Jack and Jerryd Bayless, according to a source.

The Mavericks will first pursue Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, but both are considered relative longshots.

Both Jack and Bayless have been key reserves during the playoffs for the Warriors and Grizzlies, respectively.

Dwaine Price/Star-Telegram

Tags: Jarrett Jack, Jerryd Bayless, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Levien: Grizzlies Using Analytics To Manage Salary Cap

May 23, 2013 11:30 AM

The Memphis Grizzlies are using advanced analytics to manage the salary cap.

“People talk about analytics in evaluating players, but there’s a lot of analytics around the salary cap,” said Josh Levien, the first-year CEO of the Grizzlies. “How much should we spend for a player at a certain position and what role he’s going to play? So that’s a lot of what we’ve done and are working on, is salary-cap analytics, being thoughtful about how we structure our roster and how we can get the best bang for our buck.”

The collective bargaining agreement imposes unprecedented penalties on teams exceeding the cap.

“With the rules set up the way they are, there’s minimal room for error,” Levien said. “You’ve got to be very thoughtful in your approach to how you build your team, how you build a roster, and you’ve got to keep the cap and the tax in mind.”

Jeff Caplan/NBA.com

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA CBA

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NBA Has Lowest Rated Conference Final Opener Since 2007 In Spurs/Grizzlies

May 21, 2013 1:36 PM

The San Antonio Spurs' victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 on Sunday drew a 3.9 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon.

That is down 41 percent from the Miami Heat/Boston Celtics Game 1 on ESPN last season and down 26 percent from the Oklahoma City Thunder/Dallas Mavericks Game 1 on ESPN in 2011.

The game ranks as the lowest rated conference final opener since 2007 when the Cleveland Cavaliers/Detroit Pistons drew a 3.5 on TNT.

San Antonio is the 36th larget market, while Memphis ranks 49th.

The NBA hopes to soon negotiate new television contracts with their national partners. While the league is generally seen to be on the rise, the new collective bargaining agreement favors parity and incoming commissioner, Adam Silver, has made it an expected touchstone of his regime to continue that trend.

Sports Media Watch

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA CBA

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Chris Wallace Hoping To Stay As Grizzlies GM

May 19, 2013 1:46 PM

Chris Wallace has years left on his contract as the Memphis Grizzlies' general manager, but he has no guarantees moving forward.

Still, Wallace wants to remain with the organization.

“I hope to be able to stay here,” Wallace said.

Wallace's vision has been validated this postseason, when the core of the team that he assembled has led the Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals.

“I never looked for vindication. That’s not something that motivates me,” Wallace said. “Winning takes care of all issues in this league. We felt we had to take chances.”

Jeff Caplan/NBA.com

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Marc Gasol Fails To Land On All-Defensive First Team After Winning DPOY

May 13, 2013 3:08 PM

Tony Allen and Miami LeBron James headline the 2012-13 NBA All-Defensive first team, the NBA announced on Monday.

Joining Allen and James on the NBA All-Defensive First Team are Chris Paul and Serge Ibaka. Rounding out the First Team are centers Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks and Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, who tied in votes for the honor.

Marc Gasol landed on the All-Defensive second team after winning this season's Defensive Player of the Year. Along with Gasol, the second team consists of guards Avery Bradley and Mike Conley and forwards Tim Duncan and Paul George.

NBA coaches voted for the All-Defensive teams.

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Tags: Marc Gasol, LeBron James, Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Award

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Hollins Confident He'll Return As Grizzlies Coach

May 11, 2013 11:48 AM

Lionel Hollins is confident he’ll return as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies next season.

"The only conversations we've had is they said they wanted me back," Hollins said. "After we lost the first two games to the Clippers, we had a friendly conversation about the series and how they just wanted me personally to know that regardless of what's being said out there, this is how they felt.

"That was great."

Hollins hopes to return in his current capacity for the 2013-14 season.

"There's no question," Hollins said. "When you build something, you want to see it through to the fruition of it all.”

Ramona Shelburne/ESPNLosAngeles

Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Grizzlies Want To Make Durant Work For Everything, Avoid Putting Him On Line

Ron Higgins/Commercial Appeal

Grizzlies' Joerger Compared To Thibodeau

Kevin Arnovitz/ESPN