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>> Female announcer: This is a

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production of WKNO, Memphis.

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Production funding for "Sports

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Files" is made possible in part

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by...

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>> Gaston: My guest today on

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"Sports Files" is Memphis

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Grizzlies General Manager Chris

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Wallace.

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>> (instrumental music)

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♪♪♪

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♪♪♪

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>> Hi everyone.

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The Memphis Grizzlies opened up

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training camp earlier this week

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as they prepare for the new

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season.

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At this time last year there was

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no training camp.

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In fact, there was no NBA

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period.

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At least not until Christmas

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day.

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The delay, the result of a 161

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day lockout.

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Once the labor strife was

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settled and the season began,

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the Grizzlies troubles didn't go

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away.

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Zach Randolph began the new

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calendar year by going down with

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a partial MCL tear.

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He would go on to miss 37 games.

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A void that long, minus arguably

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your best player, would normally

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cripple a franchise.

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But not when you have Chris

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Wallace.

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The Grizzlies General Manager

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went out and traded for Marisse

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Speights to help fill the gap

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and an earlier signing of Dante

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Cunnngham also aided the cause.

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The Griz would go on to produce

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their best winning percentage in

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franchise history and earn a

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number 4 seed in the west.

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And while the team would fall in

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seven games to the Clippers in

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the opening round of the

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postseason, Wallace had help put

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the team in a position to win,

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despite the obstacles.

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Now with several new additions,

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and the core players all signed

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to long term deals, the

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Grizzlies are ready to make

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another run.

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And Wallace says it's the best

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collection of talent the team

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has ever had.

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It's time to roll out the ball,

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and get ready to Grit and Grind,

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next on "Sports Files."

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>> (instrumental music)

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♪♪♪

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♪♪♪

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>> Chris, thank you so much for

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joining us here on "Sports

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Files."

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We appreciate it.

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>> Wallace: My pleasure, Greg.

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>> Gaston: Alright -- We're

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getting in to the time of the

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basketball season.

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But for the last few months of

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the summer -- How did it go for

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ya?

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What did you do?

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>> Wallace: Well, it was very

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hectic because the NBA regular

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season runs in to the play-offs,

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which runs in to the draft,

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which runs in to Las Vegas

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Summer League.

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>> Gaston: No time off, huh?

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>> Wallace: Before you know it,

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its Labor Day and summer's over

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with.

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So the season really is 12

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months -- not from a competitive

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standpoint but it goes around

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the calendar, as far as the

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things that we have to do and

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our duties with an NBA team.

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>> Gaston: And it was busy for

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you because you made some

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transactions in the off season.

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We'll talk about that a little

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bit later on as far as going out

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and getting some shooters,

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getting some help for Mike

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Conley as a back-up point guard.

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But right now the big story

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surrounding the Grizzlies as we

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get set for this 2012 - '13

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season is what's going on with

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ownership.

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If and when Robert Pera becomes

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the new owner of the Grizzlies

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and that could be as soon as the

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next couple of weeks.

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It could be sometime before or

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right before the season starts.

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But what light can you shed on

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the situation for us?

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>> Wallace: Well, I'm not to all

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that's going on in this

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ownership transaction but I've

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been through three of them

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before in my NBA career and this

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one is in a normal time table.

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I mean, these things are three

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to four to five months.

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We remember the announcement was

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back in early June.

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So I think its on track.

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By all estimations, probably

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something will happen in October

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before the season starts or

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right around that point.

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So I fully expect Mr. Pera and

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his group of local owners to be

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in charge of this team this

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season.

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>> Gaston: And you're very

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familiar with some of those

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local owners who would be a

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carry over.

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>> Wallace: Yeah -- many of

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those guys.

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I mean, he's got a star-studded

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group obviously, Greg, of some

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of the real influential people

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in this community -- not just on

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the business front but also on

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the philanthropic fronts, as

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well.

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And I'm real excited with the

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group that he has.

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>> Gaston: Have you stocked up

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on your Timberlake CDs?

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(laughter)

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>> Wallace: That's what

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everybody has asked me.

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Can I get them a Justin

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Timberlake autograph.

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>> Gaston: You're going to get

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them a discount, too, on all his

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CDs.

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Sixth year for you here in

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Memphis.

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You've had a great relationship

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with Michael Heisley.

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Tell us a little bit about that

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relationship.

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>> Wallace: Well, Michael

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Heisley was in town yesterday.

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Spent a day.

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I think he'd done a terrific job

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as owner of this team.

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I mean first of all, there would

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be no Grizzlies, no FedEx Forum

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if he hadn't brought the team

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from Vancouver.

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And since I've been here in

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2007, he's really put his money

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where his mouth is.

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He said, "When I feel that we

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are ready to win with this team,

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I'll be happy to have a big

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payroll."

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And he has.

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I mean, we scaled the team back

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in terms of the team's salary.

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And you know, we gradually moved

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to the head.

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Two years ago we had the ninth

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highest payroll in the league.

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Last season -- the sixth.

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Right now we have the fifth

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highest payroll in the league.

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And he's anteed up to sign our

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core players -- big contracts to

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Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Rudy

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Gay.

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A very healthy contract for Mike

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Conley -- commence with his

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status as a top 12 point guard

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in the league.

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Last year when Zach Randolph and

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Darrell Arthur went down early

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and our chances to repeat in the

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play-offs seemed to be slipping

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out the window, he said, "Hey,

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go get some guys to fill in here

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and hopefully keep this thing

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going and don't worry about the

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luxury tax.

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Just go out and get us some

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reinforcements."

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So we went out and got Marreese

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Speights and Dante Cunningham

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and went over budget.

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But those two players really

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saved the season.

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You know, we were in the play-

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offs for a second straight year.

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So I think he's been a terrific

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owner.

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He's very approachable -- not

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just for the media, but the

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fans.

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And I know it will be a

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bittersweet day for him when

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finally the transfer of the team

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is to the new ownership group

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because he has very, very fond

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feelings for this organization

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and the city of Memphis as a

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whole.

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>> Gaston: Hopefully he will

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still be a part of it and come

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to games.

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>> Wallace: He has tickets.

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He bought floor tickets.

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So you will see him at Grizzlies

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games often with his family.

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>> Gaston: Chris, the great

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thing about Michael Heisley in

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my opinion, besides his

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openness, is the fact that he

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said, "Look, I make no bones

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about it.

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I want to sell this team but I

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want the owner to keep this team

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in Memphis.

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We've established ourselves here

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in Memphis and that's what my

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plan is."

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And then he goes out and he

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deals with a potential owner

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that wants to keep the team in

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Memphis.

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So it's a win-win.

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>> Wallace: Yes.

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I mean again, you're right,

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Greg.

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He was very upfront and adamant

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about his desire for this team

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to stay in Memphis.

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And again, he had tremendous

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fondness for this community.

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Yesterday he was telling us that

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this was a surprise to me.

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He said he had recently talked

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to his daughter Emily who is the

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CEO of his corporation.

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And that's a vast empire -- 45

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companies, 13,000 employees.

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And she says, "Dad, look back on

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your business career.

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Where do you gain the most

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satisfaction from?"

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He said, "My ownership to the

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Grizzlies.

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What we have done for this city

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with the FedEx Forum and the

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redevelopment of the downtown

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and the fact that I'm so proud

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when I go to a game."

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He said he's had numerous people

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with a very influential in pro

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sports said this is the most

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diverse crowd that you'll see

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anywhere in pro sports.

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And we were with Kevin Kane

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yesterday.

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And Kevin said, "Any gathering

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in Memphis, whether its church,

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00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:18,000
or another sports team, or

292
00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,000
entertainment venue, there's no

293
00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,000
gathering that reflects the city

294
00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:23,000
in terms of diversity more so

295
00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,000
than what you see at the Grizzly

296
00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:26,000
Game at the FedEx Forum."

297
00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:27,000
We've got 500 part time

298
00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,000
employees with the FedEx Forum,

299
00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:30,000
104 events.

300
00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:32,000
So this is a major boost for the

301
00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:33,000
city -- not just to Grizzlies

302
00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,000
but the whole package that comes

303
00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:37,000
with the FedEx Forum, from the

304
00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:38,000
Tiger games and a great economic

305
00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,000
generator for Downtown.

306
00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:41,000
And Mr. Heisley again -- which

307
00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:43,000
was surprising to me with all

308
00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:44,000
that he's accomplished in his

309
00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,000
career -- said, "This is where I

310
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,000
get the most satisfaction from,

311
00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:49,000
my ownership of the Memphis

312
00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,000
Grizzlies."

313
00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,000
>> Gaston: Chris, I know you

314
00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:53,000
pretty well.

315
00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:54,000
I know you're a modest guy but I

316
00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,000
want to read you a quote on a

317
00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:58,000
story I read doing some research

318
00:07:58,000 --> 00:07:59,000
for this interview.

319
00:07:59,000 --> 00:08:00,000
You have been called quote the

320
00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:02,000
genius behind the Grizzlies

321
00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:03,000
rebirth.

322
00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,000
Thoughts on that?

323
00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:05,000
>> Wallace: Well first of all,

324
00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,000
that's way overstated.

325
00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,000
Second, because it's a team

326
00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:09,000
effort.

327
00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:10,000
I mean, Mr. Heisley has been

328
00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,000
very involved in these

329
00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:13,000
transactions and if doesn't get

330
00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:15,000
his checkbook out -- that's most

331
00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,000
important part of all this is

332
00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,000
the guy that writes the checks.

333
00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:19,000
Then you don't have these

334
00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:20,000
players.

335
00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,000
And Lionel Hollins --

336
00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:23,000
>> Gaston: You need the green

337
00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:24,000
light.

338
00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,000
>> Wallace: Yes -- Well, and

339
00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:27,000
also create an atmosphere to be

340
00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,000
aggressive and not afraid to

341
00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:30,000
take risks.

342
00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,000
That's how he's built his

343
00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:32,000
business empire.

344
00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:33,000
He has tried to transfer that

345
00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,000
philosophy to our team.

346
00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,000
And we've been very successful

347
00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:37,000
with it.

348
00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,000
And then Lionel Hollins and the

349
00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,000
coaching staff have done a great

350
00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:42,000
job.

351
00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:43,000
Since he came here in mid-

352
00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,000
season, I believe it was in

353
00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,000
2009, and this is something that

354
00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:48,000
I don't think

355
00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:49,000
gotten anywhere near enough

356
00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:50,000
credit for.

357
00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:52,000
Is he plucks Lionel who had been

358
00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:53,000
passed over a couple of times by

359
00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000
this organization and other

360
00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,000
teams in head coaching searches.

361
00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:58,000
He plucks him from another

362
00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:00,000
team's bench as an assistant in

363
00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:01,000
the middle of the season.

364
00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:02,000
I had never heard of that

365
00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:03,000
before.

366
00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000
I've been in the NBA over 25

367
00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:06,000
years.

368
00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:07,000
I can't recall another team

369
00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,000
reaching to an assistant coach

370
00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:10,000
in the middle of the season.

371
00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,000
And it's succeeded just

372
00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:13,000
marvelously.

373
00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:14,000
But no one has really stopped

374
00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,000
and given him credit.

375
00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:17,000
That is a very daring cutting-

376
00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:18,000
edge decision.

377
00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:19,000
You always hear we want guys

378
00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:21,000
that are cutting-edge, thinking

379
00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:22,000
outside the box.

380
00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,000
Well, that certainly is that

381
00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:24,000
type of a move.

382
00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,000
And its worked out tremendously.

383
00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:28,000
He's done just a fantastic job.

384
00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,000
And I've been so impressed with

385
00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,000
the resiliency that Lionel and

386
00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:32,000
his staff has shown.

387
00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:33,000
We've had the injuries.

388
00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:34,000
Two years ago, Rudy Gay.

389
00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:36,000
You're missing almost 18 points

390
00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,000
a game down the stretch and in

391
00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:39,000
to the play-offs and yet we go

392
00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,000
further than any Grizzlies team

393
00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:42,000
ever in the play-offs.

394
00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:43,000
Last year, you come back.

395
00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,000
You've got first, Darrell Arthur

396
00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,000
and then Zach Randolph go out

397
00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,000
for prolonged periods of time.

398
00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:49,000
Yet, they are able to

399
00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:50,000
compensate.

400
00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,000
After training camp we get

401
00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:53,000
Marreese Speights and Dante

402
00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:55,000
Cunningham and Quincy Pondexter

403
00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:56,000
in after camp.

404
00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,000
Bring them -- assimilate them on

405
00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,000
the fly.

406
00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:00,000
Yet, we end up with the best

407
00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,000
winning percentage for a regular

408
00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:03,000
season in the history of the

409
00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,000
franchise and home court edge in

410
00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:06,000
the first round of the play-

411
00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:07,000
offs.

412
00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,000
So Lionel's just done an

413
00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:10,000
unbelievable job here.

414
00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:12,000
>> Gaston: Well you led me in to

415
00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:13,000
my next question about last year

416
00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:14,000
-- absolutely crazy.

417
00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,000
First of all -- the lock out,

418
00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:17,000
the injuries, Z-Bo going down.

419
00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,000
You were able to go out there

420
00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,000
and get the players that you

421
00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,000
just mentioned to plug the

422
00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:23,000
holes.

423
00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:24,000
Not only plug the holes but as

424
00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,000
you said, this team went on to

425
00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:27,000
have their best winning

426
00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:28,000
percentage in history.

427
00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,000
A disappointment in the first

428
00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:31,000
round.

429
00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:32,000
Would you agree with that?

430
00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:33,000
Losing as a four seed?

431
00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:35,000
>> Wallace: The Clippers were

432
00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:36,000
certainly a very worthy

433
00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:37,000
opponent.

434
00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,000
They are a terrific team.

435
00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,000
Chris Paul is a true superstar.

436
00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,000
But I was disappointed.

437
00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:43,000
We got the series back to

438
00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:44,000
Memphis for game seven and we

439
00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:46,000
couldn't take care of home court

440
00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:47,000
advantage.

441
00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:48,000
I mean, that's something that

442
00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,000
hopefully has stuck in our guys

443
00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:52,000
crawls throughout the season and

444
00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:53,000
is a point of motivation for

445
00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:54,000
them.

446
00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:56,000
And we'd love to get home court

447
00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:57,000
again this year and then get

448
00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,000
back beyond the first round.

449
00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,000
>> Gaston: Chris, was it more

450
00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,000
gratifying to you personally to

451
00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,000
see what the team did two years

452
00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:05,000
ago when they were a win away

453
00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,000
from the Western Conference

454
00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,000
Finals or as we just mentioned,

455
00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,000
what you guys were able to piece

456
00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:11,000
together last year?

457
00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:13,000
>> Wallce: Well, the most

458
00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:14,000
gratifying moment of my entire

459
00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:16,000
NBA career, not just here in

460
00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:17,000
Memphis, Greg, was after we

461
00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:19,000
defeated the Spurs in game six.

462
00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:20,000
Captured that series.

463
00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,000
First ever series win in the

464
00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,000
history of the franchise for the

465
00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:24,000
Grizzlies.

466
00:11:24,000 --> 00:11:25,000
And I'm a fan at heart.

467
00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,000
I was a fan before I got in to

468
00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:28,000
the NBA.

469
00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,000
I'll be a fan long after they

470
00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:31,000
pull me from the NBA stage.

471
00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:32,000
And I went out on the FedEx

472
00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,000
Plaza and saw the jubilation and

473
00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,000
celebration that was going on on

474
00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:37,000
Beale Street throughout downtown

475
00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:38,000
Memphis.

476
00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:40,000
I got a yellow rally towel, ran

477
00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,000
up and down Beale Street waving

478
00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:43,000
the towel.

479
00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,000
That absolutely was the

480
00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:45,000
highlight of my career.

481
00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:46,000
And just to see what this

482
00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:48,000
victory meant to the community,

483
00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,000
the joy it brought in all

484
00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:51,000
sections of Memphis was just

485
00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:52,000
overwhelming to me.

486
00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:53,000
>> Gaston: Certainly a shot in

487
00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,000
the arm for the community and

488
00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,000
they're so excited about this

489
00:11:57,000 --> 00:11:58,000
upcoming year.

490
00:11:58,000 --> 00:11:59,000
So let's talk about personnel.

491
00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,000
You go a whole year without

492
00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:02,000
Darrell Arthur.

493
00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:03,000
He comes back form injury.

494
00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,000
Last week he gets hurt again

495
00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,000
with a leg fracture.

496
00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:07,000
They say four to six weeks but

497
00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:08,000
possibly sooner.

498
00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,000
>> Wallace: We prefer Darrell to

499
00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:11,000
be in at the beginning of

500
00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:12,000
training camp with no

501
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,000
restrictions but all in all, at

502
00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,000
this point in time the injury

503
00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:17,000
doesn't require surgery.

504
00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:18,000
There could be a return shorter

505
00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,000
than the four to six weeks.

506
00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:21,000
So I just think this is a minor

507
00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,000
bump in the road.

508
00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:24,000
It's not an insurmountable wall

509
00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,000
that he's got to get over the

510
00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:27,000
top of.

511
00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:28,000
I know he's disappointed but

512
00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,000
he's done a great job with the

513
00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:31,000
rehabilitation.

514
00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:32,000
And I think we'll see him this

515
00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:33,000
year.

516
00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:35,000
>> Gaston: But it goes back to

517
00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,000
the genius question because you

518
00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:38,000
signed also Marreese Speights.

519
00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,000
There were many that thought it

520
00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:41,000
would either be Arthur or

521
00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:42,000
Speights and not both.

522
00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,000
And you signed both of them.

523
00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,000
>> Wallace: Well, we decided

524
00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,000
that these players have so much

525
00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:48,000
upside and they're so needed

526
00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,000
here that why split the baby and

527
00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:51,000
try to pick a winner?

528
00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,000
Let's just bring them both back.

529
00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:55,000
Now with bringing both Marreese

530
00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:56,000
and Darrell back, that meant we

531
00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,000
couldn't resign O.J. Mayo.

532
00:12:58,000 --> 00:12:59,000
I mean, there's always a price

533
00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:00,000
to pay.

534
00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,000
So we bring in Jerryd Bayless

535
00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:03,000
but we're very excited to have

536
00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,000
Darrell and Marreese back.

537
00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:06,000
We learned a very valuable

538
00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:07,000
lesson last year.

539
00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,000
You can never have too much

540
00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,000
depth in this business.

541
00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:11,000
Injuries do happen in the NBA

542
00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:12,000
and all of sports.

543
00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:14,000
In the NBA in particular, its

544
00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,000
very difficult to compensate for

545
00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:17,000
injuries during the season.

546
00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:19,000
Yes, we do have a minor league

547
00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:20,000
to draw from but you know, it's

548
00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,000
only 13 to 15 players on the NBA

549
00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:24,000
team -- not 50 some like in the

550
00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:25,000
NFL.

551
00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:26,000
And guys that are real key

552
00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:27,000
contributors are extremely

553
00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,000
difficult to compensate for when

554
00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,000
they go down.

555
00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:32,000
So we're happy to have Marreese

556
00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:33,000
and Darrel.

557
00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:34,000
And this is again a reason why

558
00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:36,000
you have them and Zach.

559
00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:37,000
So you can deal with an injury

560
00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,000
at a particular position.

561
00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:40,000
>> Gaston: Again with Zach, 37

562
00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,000
games he missed last year

563
00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,000
because of the partial MCL tear.

564
00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,000
He came back -- wasn't quite

565
00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:46,000
Zach.

566
00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:47,000
Do you expect him to be the old

567
00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,000
Zach this season?

568
00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,000
>> Wallace: Well, Zach's done a

569
00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,000
great job in the off-season

570
00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:52,000
getting in shape.

571
00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,000
He's very eager to come back and

572
00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,000
play at the level he did two

573
00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:57,000
years ago.

574
00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:58,000
You know, Zach is one of the

575
00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:00,000
foremost interior scorers and

576
00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,000
rebounders in the NBA -- great

577
00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:03,000
offensive rebounder and terrific

578
00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:04,000
hands.

579
00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:05,000
We're just eager to have him

580
00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:06,000
back.

581
00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,000
He means so much to our team --

582
00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:09,000
not just on the floor.

583
00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,000
I've just really been heartened

584
00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:13,000
in the period of time he's been

585
00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:14,000
here, Greg.

586
00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,000
How the city has reacted to

587
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,000
Zach.

588
00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,000
I mean, he is a Memphis player.

589
00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,000
He loves it here.

590
00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:20,000
He set up his residence full

591
00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,000
time.

592
00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:23,000
He wants to live here after his

593
00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:24,000
NBA is career is over with.

594
00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,000
He's done great work out in the

595
00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,000
community.

596
00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,000
When he turned the heat back on

597
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,000
for those families who had their

598
00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:32,000
utilities turned off a few years

599
00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:33,000
ago during a cold snap.

600
00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:35,000
And what he did with a pit-bull

601
00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,000
that was abandoned this year on

602
00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:38,000
the animal channel with that

603
00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:39,000
program.

604
00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,000
I mean, he is a Memphis guy and

605
00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:42,000
a terrific player.

606
00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:43,000
We're just so happy to have him

607
00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,000
and hopefully, he's back strong

608
00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,000
this year.

609
00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,000
>> Gaston: As we talked about

610
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,000
the core is back.

611
00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:50,000
You've signed all the big guys

612
00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:51,000
on this team.

613
00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,000
Gasol's back and Z-Bo's back.

614
00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:54,000
And of course, Rudy and Conley

615
00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:55,000
-- They're all signed.

616
00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,000
And then you go out and you

617
00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:58,000
bring in a couple of shooters.

618
00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,000
And you bring in some back up

619
00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:01,000
point guard help from Mike

620
00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:02,000
Conley.

621
00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,000
And those were the key areas

622
00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:05,000
that we discussed after the

623
00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:06,000
season.

624
00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:08,000
You go out and you get Jerryd

625
00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,000
Bayless.

626
00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:10,000
You go out and get Wayne

627
00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:11,000
Ellington.

628
00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,000
Talk about these additions and

629
00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:14,000
how much this could elevate you

630
00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,000
guys in the west.

631
00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,000
>> Wallace: Well, Jerryd Bayless

632
00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,000
was -- we talked about O.J. Mayo

633
00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:20,000
a few minutes ago -- was a

634
00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,000
contemporary of O.J. in that

635
00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,000
class of 2008.

636
00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:24,000
They both were freshmen in the

637
00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:25,000
Pac-10.

638
00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,000
Jerryd left after one year at

639
00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:28,000
Arizona.

640
00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:29,000
He was drafted in the lottery by

641
00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:30,000
Portland.

642
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:32,000
He also played with New Orleans.

643
00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,000
Last year -- with Toronto.

644
00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:35,000
He had a career high three point

645
00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,000
mark last year around 44%.

646
00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:38,000
We got a dose of his talent last

647
00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:40,000
year in March when Toronto came

648
00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:42,000
in here and upset us in a double

649
00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:43,000
overtime game.

650
00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:44,000
He went for 26 -- I think seven

651
00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:45,000
rebounds.

652
00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:47,000
Made an indelible impression.

653
00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:49,000
And this just shows you how free

654
00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:50,000
agency often moves, Greg, in

655
00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,000
ways that you don't anticipate.

656
00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,000
Two years ago, I would have

657
00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,000
never told you we were going to

658
00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,000
sign Tony Allen.

659
00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,000
But one thing led to another and

660
00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:59,000
now Tony Allen's there for us.

661
00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,000
Going in to free agency last

662
00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:02,000
July, Jerryd Bayless really

663
00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,000
wasn't on our so called radar

664
00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:05,000
screen.

665
00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:06,000
He was a restricted free agent

666
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:07,000
with Toronto.

667
00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:09,000
But Toronto removed the

668
00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:10,000
restricted tag for him early in

669
00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:11,000
the free agent process.

670
00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,000
And now we go, "Woah -- This guy

671
00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,000
can not only shoot to three.

672
00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:16,000
He's got more upside to reach

673
00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:18,000
and we love to have guys that

674
00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,000
continue to get better and

675
00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:20,000
better and have them peak.

676
00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,000
And gives us obviously some

677
00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:23,000
coverage if, God forbid, Mike

678
00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:25,000
Conley were to go down."

679
00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:26,000
That's where we were the most

680
00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,000
vulnerable on this roster.

681
00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:29,000
So we said it makes so much

682
00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:30,000
sense to go after him.

683
00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,000
He liked the idea of playing

684
00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:33,000
here.

685
00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:34,000
And it all came together.

686
00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:36,000
Then Wayne Ellington was part of

687
00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:37,000
a transaction where we

688
00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,000
reluctantly traded Dante

689
00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:39,000
Cunningham.

690
00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:41,000
Dante was unbelievable for us

691
00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,000
last year.

692
00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,000
As a worker and a tangible

693
00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:44,000
player, I can't remember one

694
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,000
game where he didn't show up

695
00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:47,000
revved up and ready to go and

696
00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,000
playing with great enthusiasm

697
00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:50,000
and passion.

698
00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:51,000
But you saw in the play-offs

699
00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,000
when Zach Randolph came back,

700
00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,000
there was just no time for him.

701
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:56,000
With Zach Randolph and Marreese

702
00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,000
Speights, now you've got Darrell

703
00:16:58,000 --> 00:16:59,000
Arthur.

704
00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:00,000
So their contracts matched up

705
00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,000
almost to the dime, same number

706
00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:03,000
of years.

707
00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,000
So we said we'll take a shot on

708
00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,000
a guy who, even though his

709
00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,000
production dipped last year, is

710
00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:09,000
known for his three point

711
00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,000
shooting capacity and Ellington.

712
00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:12,000
On a last year deal, just like

713
00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:14,000
Dante, and try to add more

714
00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:15,000
outside shooting to the team.

715
00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,000
Also on the outside shooting

716
00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:18,000
vein, Josh Selby was terrific in

717
00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:19,000
summer league.

718
00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,000
I mean, he had huge games out in

719
00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:23,000
Las Vegas -- seven, eight, nine

720
00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:24,000
three pointers.

721
00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:26,000
And I've had some people tell me

722
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,000
since we returned from the

723
00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:29,000
summer league, "Yeah, but that's

724
00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:30,000
summer league."

725
00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:31,000
Yes, that's true.

726
00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:32,000
There's a difference between

727
00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,000
summer league and NBA basketball

728
00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:35,000
but the three point line is the

729
00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:36,000
same distance.

730
00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,000
>> Gaston: And the confidence

731
00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:39,000
that he really exudes.

732
00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:41,000
>> Wallace: And he made three

733
00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:42,000
pointers out there, Greg,

734
00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:43,000
getting knocked down.

735
00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:45,000
So I'm very impressed how he has

736
00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:46,000
added a three point component to

737
00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,000
his game in this off season,

738
00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:50,000
which really didn't exist when

739
00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:51,000
he came in to the league last

740
00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:52,000
year.

741
00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,000
>> Gaston: Chris, people were

742
00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:55,000
clamoring as they always do

743
00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:56,000
during the draft.

744
00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,000
"Get this guy.

745
00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,000
Get that guy."

746
00:17:58,000 --> 00:17:59,000
You got Tony Wroten.

747
00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,000
Tell us about the upside of Tony

748
00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,000
Wroten.

749
00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,000
>> Wallace: Well, Tony Wroten is

750
00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:05,000
a big point guard, close to

751
00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:07,000
6'5", comes from a tremendous

752
00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:08,000
athletic lineage with his

753
00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,000
family.

754
00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:10,000
His father played at the

755
00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,000
University of Washington in an

756
00:18:12,000 --> 00:18:13,000
Orange Bowl -- played for Tampa

757
00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:14,000
Bay.

758
00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,000
His mother was a championship

759
00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:17,000
hurdler in track.

760
00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,000
He's got an aunt that played for

761
00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:20,000
the Harlem Globetrotters.

762
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,000
How many people have an aunt

763
00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,000
that played for the Harlem

764
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:24,000
Globetrotters?

765
00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:25,000
He was one of the top ten high

766
00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:27,000
school players in the country --

767
00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,000
one of the most five productive

768
00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:30,000
players in college basketball as

769
00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:32,000
a freshman last year, that

770
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,000
freshman class.

771
00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,000
Very good at getting the basket.

772
00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:36,000
Excellent court vision.

773
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,000
Athletic -- can be disruptive

774
00:18:37,000 --> 00:18:39,000
with his hands defensively.

775
00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:40,000
He's not a real shooter right

776
00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:41,000
now.

777
00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:42,000
That's going to come.

778
00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:44,000
But that's what happens in the

779
00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:45,000
NBA.

780
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:46,000
You get a guy that can do the

781
00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:48,000
other things and you can

782
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,000
concentrate now on the shooting

783
00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:51,000
to a greater degree than you can

784
00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:52,000
in college.

785
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,000
And player's shooting ability

786
00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,000
gets better and better.

787
00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:56,000
Mike Conley's a case in point.

788
00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:58,000
Mike Conley did not come in the

789
00:18:58,000 --> 00:18:59,000
NBA known for his shooting.

790
00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,000
It was his speed, ball handling

791
00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,000
ability, ability to press up

792
00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:04,000
defensively.

793
00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:05,000
But the shooting has gotten

794
00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,000
better and better every year.

795
00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:08,000
At times, he's a real three

796
00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:09,000
point threat for us.

797
00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:10,000
So we think Tony Wroten is a

798
00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,000
player who's shot is not broken.

799
00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:13,000
It can be improved.

800
00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,000
And the other parts of his game

801
00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:16,000
can make him a very productive

802
00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:17,000
NBA player in time.

803
00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:19,000
>> Gaston: Chris, the west has

804
00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:20,000
certainly improved.

805
00:19:20,000 --> 00:19:21,000
You just look at the Lakers

806
00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,000
picking up Steve Nash and Dwight

807
00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,000
Howard.

808
00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,000
Other teams have added pieces.

809
00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:27,000
Your core, as we talked about,

810
00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:29,000
is there -- youth added pieces.

811
00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,000
How good can the Grizzlies be

812
00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:32,000
this season?

813
00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,000
What type of a run can they

814
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:34,000
make?

815
00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:35,000
>> Wallace: Well, I'm very

816
00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,000
bullish on our team, Greg.

817
00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,000
I mean, you look at the last

818
00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:39,000
couple of years.

819
00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,000
We've won I believe ten play-off

820
00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:42,000
games.

821
00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,000
We had the first play-off win in

822
00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,000
the history of the franchise,

823
00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,000
the first play-off series win.

824
00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:48,000
We extended Oklahoma City to

825
00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:49,000
seven games.

826
00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:51,000
We went to seven games again

827
00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:52,000
with the Clippers.

828
00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:53,000
When we lose in a series, its in

829
00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,000
the fourth quarter of the

830
00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:56,000
seventh game.

831
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,000
During a regular season, we've

832
00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:58,000
won in LA.

833
00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:00,000
We've won two of our last three

834
00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:01,000
games in Boston.

835
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,000
We've won two of our last three

836
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:04,000
games against Miami, including a

837
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,000
very decisive win late in the

838
00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:07,000
season down there.

839
00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,000
We've won three games in

840
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:09,000
Oklahoma City.

841
00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,000
We've been very competitive with

842
00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:12,000
the best teams in the NBA.

843
00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,000
And now we've got a little more

844
00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:15,000
continuity.

845
00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:16,000
We've been together just another

846
00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:17,000
season.

847
00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:19,000
Our coaching staff has not been

848
00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:21,000
together for about three and a

849
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:22,000
half years.

850
00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:23,000
And we've hopefully added some

851
00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,000
outside shooting, in depth a

852
00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,000
point guard that was lacking

853
00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:27,000
last year.

854
00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:29,000
So I think we can be even better

855
00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,000
this season than we were last

856
00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:31,000
year.

857
00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:33,000
Now obviously, it takes a while

858
00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:35,000
for any team to come together.

859
00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:36,000
There's just not -- It's just a

860
00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,000
complete segue from one season

861
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,000
to next.

862
00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:41,000
You got to build chemistry and

863
00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:42,000
get those scabs on you to

864
00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:43,000
toughen up.

865
00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:45,000
And then obviously with us and

866
00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:46,000
every other team, the keys going

867
00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:48,000
to be can we avoid injury.

868
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:49,000
You know, if we've got a huge

869
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:51,000
number of games played with our

870
00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:52,000
top players, we're going to be

871
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:53,000
pretty good.

872
00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,000
If not, then we'll have to find

873
00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,000
a way to get around those

874
00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,000
injuries like we did last year.

875
00:20:58,000 --> 00:20:59,000
But again, I have very high

876
00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:01,000
expectations for this team.

877
00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,000
I'm not going to shy away from

878
00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:04,000
them.

879
00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:05,000
I think we can be a very

880
00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:06,000
formable team this year, despite

881
00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,000
all you're hearing about the

882
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:09,000
upgrades in the western

883
00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:10,000
conference.

884
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:12,000
>> Gaston: You got to worry

885
00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:13,000
about yourself.

886
00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:14,000
You can't worry about the other

887
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:15,000
teams.

888
00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:16,000
Chris, we always end our

889
00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:18,000
interviews with our guests with

890
00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,000
five for the road.

891
00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:21,000
So fie rapid fire questions.

892
00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,000
Give me the first thing you can

893
00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,000
think of here for the answer.

894
00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:25,000
Favorite professional sports

895
00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:27,000
franchise other than the Memphis

896
00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:28,000
Grizzlies?

897
00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:29,000
>> Wallace: Other than the

898
00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,000
Memphis Grizzlies -- Wow.

899
00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:32,000
That would probably be the team

900
00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:33,000
I grew up, the Pittsburg

901
00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:34,000
Steelers.

902
00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:36,000
>> Gaston: The Steelers.

903
00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:37,000
I know if I went to college with

904
00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,000
that one, it would be West

905
00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,000
Virginia but that's not one of

906
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:41,000
the questions.

907
00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,000
Question two -- favorite athlete

908
00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:44,000
of all time?

909
00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,000
>> Wallace: My favorite athlete

910
00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:47,000
of all time, you've never heard

911
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:48,000
of.

912
00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:50,000
He's a guy named Archie Talley.

913
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,000
He was my hero when I was a kid

914
00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:53,000
growing up at Salem College in

915
00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:54,000
West Virginia.

916
00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,000
Scored 3,700 point in college

917
00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:57,000
without the benefit of three

918
00:21:57,000 --> 00:21:58,000
point shot.

919
00:21:58,000 --> 00:22:00,000
He's from your neck of the

920
00:22:00,000 --> 00:22:01,000
woods.

921
00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:02,000
He's from Seat Pleasant,

922
00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:03,000
Maryland.

923
00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,000
One of the top ten basketball

924
00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,000
showmen I've ever seen and to

925
00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,000
this day, even though he never

926
00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,000
made it to the NBA, he played in

927
00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:10,000
Europe.

928
00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:11,000
He's my basketball hero.

929
00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:13,000
>> Gaston: Alright -- real quick

930
00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:14,000
for these final three.

931
00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,000
Favorite musician or singer?

932
00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:17,000
>> Wallace: Frankie Beverly and

933
00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,000
Maze.

934
00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:20,000
>> Gaston: Great group.

935
00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:21,000
Favorite TV show of all time?

936
00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:23,000
>> Wallace: Favorite TV show of

937
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:24,000
all time -- wow.

938
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:25,000
Well, you are really stretching

939
00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:26,000
me right now.

940
00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:27,000
(laughter)

941
00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,000
Right now, you know, I love a

942
00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:30,000
show on HBO called Treme.

943
00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:32,000
>> Gaston: I watch that all the

944
00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,000
time.

945
00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:34,000
>> Wallace: New Orleans is a

946
00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:36,000
city that's fascinated me for

947
00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:38,000
years and I just think that this

948
00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,000
is such a rare look at the city

949
00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:40,000
of New Orleans for many

950
00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:41,000
different angles.

951
00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,000
And I love Treme.

952
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,000
>> Gaston: Great show.

953
00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:45,000
Finally -- favorite movie?

954
00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,000
>> Wallace: My favorite movie is

955
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,000
a French movie called "Diva."

956
00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:49,000
(laughter)

957
00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,000
>> Gaston: I did not expect

958
00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:52,000
that.

959
00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:53,000
Chris, a pleasure.

960
00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:54,000
Thank you so much.

961
00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,000
Best of luck.

962
00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:56,000
>> Wallace: Thanks so much,

963
00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:57,000
Greg.

964
00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:59,000
>> Gaston: Chris Wallace of the

965
00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:00,000
Grizzlies.

966
00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:01,000
Thank you very much.

967
00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:02,000
We'll take a quick break and

968
00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:04,000
come back with Overtime right

969
00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,000
after this.

970
00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:28,000
>> (instrumental music)

971
00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:30,000
♪♪♪

972
00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:34,000
♪♪♪

973
00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:42,000
>> The Grizzlies hosted their

974
00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,000
annual media day on Monday, and

975
00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:45,000
as expected, optimism reigned

976
00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:46,000
supreme.

977
00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:48,000
The one thing about this bunch

978
00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:49,000
is that they truly have

979
00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:50,000
confidence in each other and in

980
00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:51,000
the mission at hand.

981
00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:53,000
Now, none of these players are

982
00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:54,000
going to predict an NBA title,

983
00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:56,000
but to a man, they believe they

984
00:23:56,000 --> 00:23:58,000
can once again be a factor.

985
00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:00,000
>> Gasol: We get better

986
00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:01,000
everyday.

987
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:02,000
Other than that, we do all of

988
00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,000
the little things that we're

989
00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:05,000
supposed to do and at the end of

990
00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,000
the day, we're going to be okay.

991
00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:08,000
Randolph: We've got big

992
00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:10,000
expectations, you know -- bigger

993
00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:11,000
than last year.

994
00:24:11,000 --> 00:24:12,000
So we just go to come out.

995
00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:13,000
You know, I just want to put

996
00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:15,000
nothing right there but we want

997
00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:16,000
to go out and take one game at a

998
00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:17,000
time.

999
00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,000
You know, and play together and

1000
00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:20,000
understand what we're playing

1001
00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:22,000
for, understand where we got to

1002
00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:23,000
go and what were trying to get

1003
00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:24,000
to.

1004
00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,000
>> Gay: I think its obvious what

1005
00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:27,000
we expect -- what we want.

1006
00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,000
You know, we made some moves and

1007
00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,000
we adjust some of the things

1008
00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,000
that  we thought we need to

1009
00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,000
adjust.

1010
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:34,000
Obviously, we want to the best.

1011
00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:36,000
You know, last year kind of left

1012
00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:37,000
a sour taste in our mouth.

1013
00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:39,000
And you know, obviously, we want

1014
00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:40,000
to do better than that.

1015
00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,000
You know, I do think we can be a

1016
00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:44,000
contender.

1017
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,000
>> Gaston: In my humble opinion

1018
00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:48,000
this Grizzlies squad has a

1019
00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,000
chance to be special if a few

1020
00:24:49,000 --> 00:24:50,000
things occur.

1021
00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:52,000
One, Z-Bo returns to true form.

1022
00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:53,000
Two, Rudy Gay plays with a chip

1023
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:54,000
on his shoulder.

1024
00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,000
Perhaps being left off the U.S.

1025
00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,000
Olympic team can fuel the fire.

1026
00:24:58,000 --> 00:24:59,000
And finally, off season

1027
00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:00,000
additions Jarryd Bayless and

1028
00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,000
Wayne Ellington can contribute

1029
00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:03,000
by opening up the perimeter.

1030
00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,000
Of course the obvious needs to

1031
00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:06,000
also take place and that's to

1032
00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:07,000
stay Doctor free.

1033
00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:09,000
46 wins two seasons ago.

1034
00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:11,000
41 last season in just 66 games.

1035
00:25:11,000 --> 00:25:12,000
The West has only gotten better

1036
00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:14,000
but I see the Grizz going 48 and

1037
00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:15,000
34.

1038
00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:16,000
One final note, the Grizzlies

1039
00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,000
lost a cherished member of their

1040
00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:20,000
family with the passing of Dana

1041
00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:21,000
Davis, the team's Vice President

1042
00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:23,000
of Basketball operations and

1043
00:25:23,000 --> 00:25:24,000
team programs.

1044
00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,000
Double D, as he was

1045
00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:26,000
affectionately known, was a

1046
00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,000
vital part of Michael Heisley's

1047
00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,000
management team, a valued member

1048
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:31,000
of the Memphis community and a

1049
00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:32,000
friend to many.

1050
00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,000
He will be sorely missed.

1051
00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:35,000
And that'll do it for this

1052
00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:36,000
week's show.

1053
00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:37,000
To see a replay of this program

1054
00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:39,000
you can log on to WKNO-dot-org

1055
00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:40,000
and click on 'KNO Tonite.

1056
00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,000
Memphis Madness takes place next

1057
00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,000
Friday at FedEx Forum, and next

1058
00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:45,000
week on "Sports Files," we'll

1059
00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,000
talk with two Tigers basketball

1060
00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:48,000
stars.

1061
00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:51,000
See ya next time!

1062
00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:55,000
>> (instrumental music)

1063
00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:56,000
♪♪♪

1064
00:25:56,000 --> 00:26:00,000
♪♪♪