WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 >> Female announcer: This is a 00:01.000 --> 00:03.000 production of WKNO, Memphis. 00:03.000 --> 00:05.000 Production funding for "Sports 00:05.000 --> 00:07.000 Files" is made possible in part 00:07.000 --> 00:09.000 by... 00:15.000 --> 00:16.000 >> Gaston: My guest today on 00:16.000 --> 00:18.000 "Sports Files" is Memphis 00:18.000 --> 00:19.000 Grizzlies General Manager Chris 00:19.000 --> 00:22.000 Wallace. 00:22.000 --> 00:32.000 >> (instrumental music) 00:32.000 --> 00:33.000 ♪♪♪ 00:33.000 --> 00:37.000 ♪♪♪ 00:37.000 --> 00:38.000 >> Hi everyone. 00:38.000 --> 00:40.000 The Memphis Grizzlies opened up 00:40.000 --> 00:41.000 training camp earlier this week 00:41.000 --> 00:43.000 as they prepare for the new 00:43.000 --> 00:44.000 season. 00:44.000 --> 00:45.000 At this time last year there was 00:45.000 --> 00:46.000 no training camp. 00:46.000 --> 00:48.000 In fact, there was no NBA 00:48.000 --> 00:49.000 period. 00:49.000 --> 00:50.000 At least not until Christmas 00:50.000 --> 00:51.000 day. 00:51.000 --> 00:52.000 The delay, the result of a 161 00:52.000 --> 00:53.000 day lockout. 00:53.000 --> 00:55.000 Once the labor strife was 00:55.000 --> 00:56.000 settled and the season began, 00:56.000 --> 00:58.000 the Grizzlies troubles didn't go 00:58.000 --> 00:59.000 away. 00:59.000 --> 01:00.000 Zach Randolph began the new 01:00.000 --> 01:02.000 calendar year by going down with 01:02.000 --> 01:03.000 a partial MCL tear. 01:03.000 --> 01:04.000 He would go on to miss 37 games. 01:04.000 --> 01:06.000 A void that long, minus arguably 01:06.000 --> 01:07.000 your best player, would normally 01:07.000 --> 01:09.000 cripple a franchise. 01:09.000 --> 01:10.000 But not when you have Chris 01:10.000 --> 01:11.000 Wallace. 01:11.000 --> 01:12.000 The Grizzlies General Manager 01:12.000 --> 01:14.000 went out and traded for Marisse 01:14.000 --> 01:15.000 Speights to help fill the gap 01:15.000 --> 01:17.000 and an earlier signing of Dante 01:17.000 --> 01:18.000 Cunnngham also aided the cause. 01:18.000 --> 01:20.000 The Griz would go on to produce 01:20.000 --> 01:21.000 their best winning percentage in 01:21.000 --> 01:23.000 franchise history and earn a 01:23.000 --> 01:24.000 number 4 seed in the west. 01:24.000 --> 01:26.000 And while the team would fall in 01:26.000 --> 01:27.000 seven games to the Clippers in 01:27.000 --> 01:28.000 the opening round of the 01:28.000 --> 01:30.000 postseason, Wallace had help put 01:30.000 --> 01:32.000 the team in a position to win, 01:32.000 --> 01:33.000 despite the obstacles. 01:33.000 --> 01:34.000 Now with several new additions, 01:34.000 --> 01:36.000 and the core players all signed 01:36.000 --> 01:37.000 to long term deals, the 01:37.000 --> 01:38.000 Grizzlies are ready to make 01:38.000 --> 01:39.000 another run. 01:39.000 --> 01:41.000 And Wallace says it's the best 01:41.000 --> 01:42.000 collection of talent the team 01:42.000 --> 01:43.000 has ever had. 01:43.000 --> 01:45.000 It's time to roll out the ball, 01:45.000 --> 01:46.000 and get ready to Grit and Grind, 01:46.000 --> 01:48.000 next on "Sports Files." 01:48.000 --> 01:56.000 >> (instrumental music) 01:56.000 --> 01:57.000 ♪♪♪ 01:57.000 --> 02:00.000 ♪♪♪ 02:00.000 --> 02:02.000 >> Chris, thank you so much for 02:02.000 --> 02:03.000 joining us here on "Sports 02:03.000 --> 02:04.000 Files." 02:04.000 --> 02:05.000 We appreciate it. 02:05.000 --> 02:07.000 >> Wallace: My pleasure, Greg. 02:07.000 --> 02:08.000 >> Gaston: Alright -- We're 02:08.000 --> 02:10.000 getting in to the time of the 02:10.000 --> 02:11.000 basketball season. 02:11.000 --> 02:12.000 But for the last few months of 02:12.000 --> 02:14.000 the summer -- How did it go for 02:14.000 --> 02:15.000 ya? 02:15.000 --> 02:16.000 What did you do? 02:16.000 --> 02:17.000 >> Wallace: Well, it was very 02:17.000 --> 02:19.000 hectic because the NBA regular 02:19.000 --> 02:21.000 season runs in to the play-offs, 02:21.000 --> 02:22.000 which runs in to the draft, 02:22.000 --> 02:23.000 which runs in to Las Vegas 02:23.000 --> 02:24.000 Summer League. 02:24.000 --> 02:26.000 >> Gaston: No time off, huh? 02:26.000 --> 02:28.000 >> Wallace: Before you know it, 02:28.000 --> 02:29.000 its Labor Day and summer's over 02:29.000 --> 02:30.000 with. 02:30.000 --> 02:32.000 So the season really is 12 02:32.000 --> 02:33.000 months -- not from a competitive 02:33.000 --> 02:35.000 standpoint but it goes around 02:35.000 --> 02:36.000 the calendar, as far as the 02:36.000 --> 02:38.000 things that we have to do and 02:38.000 --> 02:39.000 our duties with an NBA team. 02:39.000 --> 02:41.000 >> Gaston: And it was busy for 02:41.000 --> 02:42.000 you because you made some 02:42.000 --> 02:44.000 transactions in the off season. 02:44.000 --> 02:45.000 We'll talk about that a little 02:45.000 --> 02:47.000 bit later on as far as going out 02:47.000 --> 02:49.000 and getting some shooters, 02:49.000 --> 02:50.000 getting some help for Mike 02:50.000 --> 02:52.000 Conley as a back-up point guard. 02:52.000 --> 02:53.000 But right now the big story 02:53.000 --> 02:55.000 surrounding the Grizzlies as we 02:55.000 --> 02:56.000 get set for this 2012 - '13 02:56.000 --> 02:58.000 season is what's going on with 02:58.000 --> 02:59.000 ownership. 02:59.000 --> 03:01.000 If and when Robert Pera becomes 03:01.000 --> 03:02.000 the new owner of the Grizzlies 03:02.000 --> 03:04.000 and that could be as soon as the 03:04.000 --> 03:05.000 next couple of weeks. 03:05.000 --> 03:07.000 It could be sometime before or 03:07.000 --> 03:08.000 right before the season starts. 03:08.000 --> 03:10.000 But what light can you shed on 03:10.000 --> 03:11.000 the situation for us? 03:11.000 --> 03:13.000 >> Wallace: Well, I'm not to all 03:13.000 --> 03:14.000 that's going on in this 03:14.000 --> 03:15.000 ownership transaction but I've 03:15.000 --> 03:17.000 been through three of them 03:17.000 --> 03:19.000 before in my NBA career and this 03:19.000 --> 03:20.000 one is in a normal time table. 03:20.000 --> 03:22.000 I mean, these things are three 03:22.000 --> 03:23.000 to four to five months. 03:23.000 --> 03:25.000 We remember the announcement was 03:25.000 --> 03:26.000 back in early June. 03:26.000 --> 03:27.000 So I think its on track. 03:27.000 --> 03:28.000 By all estimations, probably 03:28.000 --> 03:30.000 something will happen in October 03:30.000 --> 03:32.000 before the season starts or 03:32.000 --> 03:33.000 right around that point. 03:33.000 --> 03:34.000 So I fully expect Mr. Pera and 03:34.000 --> 03:36.000 his group of local owners to be 03:36.000 --> 03:38.000 in charge of this team this 03:38.000 --> 03:39.000 season. 03:39.000 --> 03:40.000 >> Gaston: And you're very 03:40.000 --> 03:41.000 familiar with some of those 03:41.000 --> 03:43.000 local owners who would be a 03:43.000 --> 03:44.000 carry over. 03:44.000 --> 03:45.000 >> Wallace: Yeah -- many of 03:45.000 --> 03:46.000 those guys. 03:46.000 --> 03:48.000 I mean, he's got a star-studded 03:48.000 --> 03:49.000 group obviously, Greg, of some 03:49.000 --> 03:51.000 of the real influential people 03:51.000 --> 03:53.000 in this community -- not just on 03:53.000 --> 03:54.000 the business front but also on 03:54.000 --> 03:56.000 the philanthropic fronts, as 03:56.000 --> 03:57.000 well. 03:57.000 --> 03:58.000 And I'm real excited with the 03:58.000 --> 03:59.000 group that he has. 03:59.000 --> 04:01.000 >> Gaston: Have you stocked up 04:01.000 --> 04:02.000 on your Timberlake CDs? 04:02.000 --> 04:03.000 (laughter) 04:03.000 --> 04:04.000 >> Wallace: That's what 04:04.000 --> 04:06.000 everybody has asked me. 04:06.000 --> 04:07.000 Can I get them a Justin 04:07.000 --> 04:08.000 Timberlake autograph. 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 >> Gaston: You're going to get 04:10.000 --> 04:11.000 them a discount, too, on all his 04:11.000 --> 04:12.000 CDs. 04:12.000 --> 04:14.000 Sixth year for you here in 04:14.000 --> 04:15.000 Memphis. 04:15.000 --> 04:16.000 You've had a great relationship 04:16.000 --> 04:17.000 with Michael Heisley. 04:17.000 --> 04:19.000 Tell us a little bit about that 04:19.000 --> 04:20.000 relationship. 04:20.000 --> 04:21.000 >> Wallace: Well, Michael 04:21.000 --> 04:23.000 Heisley was in town yesterday. 04:23.000 --> 04:24.000 Spent a day. 04:24.000 --> 04:26.000 I think he'd done a terrific job 04:26.000 --> 04:27.000 as owner of this team. 04:27.000 --> 04:29.000 I mean first of all, there would 04:29.000 --> 04:30.000 be no Grizzlies, no FedEx Forum 04:30.000 --> 04:32.000 if he hadn't brought the team 04:32.000 --> 04:33.000 from Vancouver. 04:33.000 --> 04:34.000 And since I've been here in 04:34.000 --> 04:36.000 2007, he's really put his money 04:36.000 --> 04:37.000 where his mouth is. 04:37.000 --> 04:38.000 He said, "When I feel that we 04:38.000 --> 04:40.000 are ready to win with this team, 04:40.000 --> 04:42.000 I'll be happy to have a big 04:42.000 --> 04:43.000 payroll." 04:43.000 --> 04:44.000 And he has. 04:44.000 --> 04:45.000 I mean, we scaled the team back 04:45.000 --> 04:47.000 in terms of the team's salary. 04:47.000 --> 04:49.000 And you know, we gradually moved 04:49.000 --> 04:50.000 to the head. 04:50.000 --> 04:51.000 Two years ago we had the ninth 04:51.000 --> 04:53.000 highest payroll in the league. 04:53.000 --> 04:54.000 Last season -- the sixth. 04:54.000 --> 04:55.000 Right now we have the fifth 04:55.000 --> 04:57.000 highest payroll in the league. 04:57.000 --> 04:59.000 And he's anteed up to sign our 04:59.000 --> 05:00.000 core players -- big contracts to 05:00.000 --> 05:02.000 Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Rudy 05:02.000 --> 05:03.000 Gay. 05:03.000 --> 05:05.000 A very healthy contract for Mike 05:05.000 --> 05:06.000 Conley -- commence with his 05:06.000 --> 05:08.000 status as a top 12 point guard 05:08.000 --> 05:09.000 in the league. 05:09.000 --> 05:11.000 Last year when Zach Randolph and 05:11.000 --> 05:12.000 Darrell Arthur went down early 05:12.000 --> 05:14.000 and our chances to repeat in the 05:14.000 --> 05:16.000 play-offs seemed to be slipping 05:16.000 --> 05:17.000 out the window, he said, "Hey, 05:17.000 --> 05:19.000 go get some guys to fill in here 05:19.000 --> 05:21.000 and hopefully keep this thing 05:21.000 --> 05:22.000 going and don't worry about the 05:22.000 --> 05:23.000 luxury tax. 05:23.000 --> 05:25.000 Just go out and get us some 05:25.000 --> 05:26.000 reinforcements." 05:26.000 --> 05:27.000 So we went out and got Marreese 05:27.000 --> 05:29.000 Speights and Dante Cunningham 05:29.000 --> 05:30.000 and went over budget. 05:30.000 --> 05:31.000 But those two players really 05:31.000 --> 05:32.000 saved the season. 05:32.000 --> 05:34.000 You know, we were in the play- 05:34.000 --> 05:36.000 offs for a second straight year. 05:36.000 --> 05:37.000 So I think he's been a terrific 05:37.000 --> 05:38.000 owner. 05:38.000 --> 05:40.000 He's very approachable -- not 05:40.000 --> 05:41.000 just for the media, but the 05:41.000 --> 05:42.000 fans. 05:42.000 --> 05:44.000 And I know it will be a 05:44.000 --> 05:45.000 bittersweet day for him when 05:45.000 --> 05:47.000 finally the transfer of the team 05:47.000 --> 05:48.000 is to the new ownership group 05:48.000 --> 05:50.000 because he has very, very fond 05:50.000 --> 05:51.000 feelings for this organization 05:51.000 --> 05:53.000 and the city of Memphis as a 05:53.000 --> 05:54.000 whole. 05:54.000 --> 05:55.000 >> Gaston: Hopefully he will 05:55.000 --> 05:57.000 still be a part of it and come 05:57.000 --> 05:58.000 to games. 05:58.000 --> 05:59.000 >> Wallace: He has tickets. 05:59.000 --> 06:01.000 He bought floor tickets. 06:01.000 --> 06:02.000 So you will see him at Grizzlies 06:02.000 --> 06:04.000 games often with his family. 06:04.000 --> 06:05.000 >> Gaston: Chris, the great 06:05.000 --> 06:07.000 thing about Michael Heisley in 06:07.000 --> 06:08.000 my opinion, besides his 06:08.000 --> 06:10.000 openness, is the fact that he 06:10.000 --> 06:11.000 said, "Look, I make no bones 06:11.000 --> 06:12.000 about it. 06:12.000 --> 06:14.000 I want to sell this team but I 06:14.000 --> 06:15.000 want the owner to keep this team 06:15.000 --> 06:16.000 in Memphis. 06:16.000 --> 06:18.000 We've established ourselves here 06:18.000 --> 06:20.000 in Memphis and that's what my 06:20.000 --> 06:21.000 plan is." 06:21.000 --> 06:22.000 And then he goes out and he 06:22.000 --> 06:24.000 deals with a potential owner 06:24.000 --> 06:25.000 that wants to keep the team in 06:25.000 --> 06:26.000 Memphis. 06:26.000 --> 06:27.000 So it's a win-win. 06:27.000 --> 06:28.000 >> Wallace: Yes. 06:28.000 --> 06:30.000 I mean again, you're right, 06:30.000 --> 06:31.000 Greg. 06:31.000 --> 06:32.000 He was very upfront and adamant 06:32.000 --> 06:34.000 about his desire for this team 06:34.000 --> 06:35.000 to stay in Memphis. 06:35.000 --> 06:36.000 And again, he had tremendous 06:36.000 --> 06:38.000 fondness for this community. 06:38.000 --> 06:40.000 Yesterday he was telling us that 06:40.000 --> 06:41.000 this was a surprise to me. 06:41.000 --> 06:43.000 He said he had recently talked 06:43.000 --> 06:44.000 to his daughter Emily who is the 06:44.000 --> 06:46.000 CEO of his corporation. 06:46.000 --> 06:47.000 And that's a vast empire -- 45 06:47.000 --> 06:49.000 companies, 13,000 employees. 06:49.000 --> 06:50.000 And she says, "Dad, look back on 06:50.000 --> 06:51.000 your business career. 06:51.000 --> 06:53.000 Where do you gain the most 06:53.000 --> 06:54.000 satisfaction from?" 06:54.000 --> 06:55.000 He said, "My ownership to the 06:55.000 --> 06:56.000 Grizzlies. 06:56.000 --> 06:58.000 What we have done for this city 06:58.000 --> 06:59.000 with the FedEx Forum and the 06:59.000 --> 07:01.000 redevelopment of the downtown 07:01.000 --> 07:03.000 and the fact that I'm so proud 07:03.000 --> 07:04.000 when I go to a game." 07:04.000 --> 07:05.000 He said he's had numerous people 07:05.000 --> 07:07.000 with a very influential in pro 07:07.000 --> 07:08.000 sports said this is the most 07:08.000 --> 07:10.000 diverse crowd that you'll see 07:10.000 --> 07:11.000 anywhere in pro sports. 07:11.000 --> 07:13.000 And we were with Kevin Kane 07:13.000 --> 07:14.000 yesterday. 07:14.000 --> 07:15.000 And Kevin said, "Any gathering 07:15.000 --> 07:17.000 in Memphis, whether its church, 07:17.000 --> 07:18.000 or another sports team, or 07:18.000 --> 07:20.000 entertainment venue, there's no 07:20.000 --> 07:22.000 gathering that reflects the city 07:22.000 --> 07:23.000 in terms of diversity more so 07:23.000 --> 07:25.000 than what you see at the Grizzly 07:25.000 --> 07:26.000 Game at the FedEx Forum." 07:26.000 --> 07:27.000 We've got 500 part time 07:27.000 --> 07:29.000 employees with the FedEx Forum, 07:29.000 --> 07:30.000 104 events. 07:30.000 --> 07:32.000 So this is a major boost for the 07:32.000 --> 07:33.000 city -- not just to Grizzlies 07:33.000 --> 07:35.000 but the whole package that comes 07:35.000 --> 07:37.000 with the FedEx Forum, from the 07:37.000 --> 07:38.000 Tiger games and a great economic 07:38.000 --> 07:40.000 generator for Downtown. 07:40.000 --> 07:41.000 And Mr. Heisley again -- which 07:41.000 --> 07:43.000 was surprising to me with all 07:43.000 --> 07:44.000 that he's accomplished in his 07:44.000 --> 07:46.000 career -- said, "This is where I 07:46.000 --> 07:48.000 get the most satisfaction from, 07:48.000 --> 07:49.000 my ownership of the Memphis 07:49.000 --> 07:50.000 Grizzlies." 07:50.000 --> 07:52.000 >> Gaston: Chris, I know you 07:52.000 --> 07:53.000 pretty well. 07:53.000 --> 07:54.000 I know you're a modest guy but I 07:54.000 --> 07:56.000 want to read you a quote on a 07:56.000 --> 07:58.000 story I read doing some research 07:58.000 --> 07:59.000 for this interview. 07:59.000 --> 08:00.000 You have been called quote the 08:00.000 --> 08:02.000 genius behind the Grizzlies 08:02.000 --> 08:03.000 rebirth. 08:03.000 --> 08:04.000 Thoughts on that? 08:04.000 --> 08:05.000 >> Wallace: Well first of all, 08:05.000 --> 08:07.000 that's way overstated. 08:07.000 --> 08:08.000 Second, because it's a team 08:08.000 --> 08:09.000 effort. 08:09.000 --> 08:10.000 I mean, Mr. Heisley has been 08:10.000 --> 08:12.000 very involved in these 08:12.000 --> 08:13.000 transactions and if doesn't get 08:13.000 --> 08:15.000 his checkbook out -- that's most 08:15.000 --> 08:16.000 important part of all this is 08:16.000 --> 08:18.000 the guy that writes the checks. 08:18.000 --> 08:19.000 Then you don't have these 08:19.000 --> 08:20.000 players. 08:20.000 --> 08:22.000 And Lionel Hollins -- 08:22.000 --> 08:23.000 >> Gaston: You need the green 08:23.000 --> 08:24.000 light. 08:24.000 --> 08:26.000 >> Wallace: Yes -- Well, and 08:26.000 --> 08:27.000 also create an atmosphere to be 08:27.000 --> 08:29.000 aggressive and not afraid to 08:29.000 --> 08:30.000 take risks. 08:30.000 --> 08:31.000 That's how he's built his 08:31.000 --> 08:32.000 business empire. 08:32.000 --> 08:33.000 He has tried to transfer that 08:33.000 --> 08:35.000 philosophy to our team. 08:35.000 --> 08:36.000 And we've been very successful 08:36.000 --> 08:37.000 with it. 08:37.000 --> 08:39.000 And then Lionel Hollins and the 08:39.000 --> 08:41.000 coaching staff have done a great 08:41.000 --> 08:42.000 job. 08:42.000 --> 08:43.000 Since he came here in mid- 08:43.000 --> 08:44.000 season, I believe it was in 08:44.000 --> 08:46.000 2009, and this is something that 08:46.000 --> 08:48.000 I don't think 08:48.000 --> 08:49.000 gotten anywhere near enough 08:49.000 --> 08:50.000 credit for. 08:50.000 --> 08:52.000 Is he plucks Lionel who had been 08:52.000 --> 08:53.000 passed over a couple of times by 08:53.000 --> 08:55.000 this organization and other 08:55.000 --> 08:57.000 teams in head coaching searches. 08:57.000 --> 08:58.000 He plucks him from another 08:58.000 --> 09:00.000 team's bench as an assistant in 09:00.000 --> 09:01.000 the middle of the season. 09:01.000 --> 09:02.000 I had never heard of that 09:02.000 --> 09:03.000 before. 09:03.000 --> 09:05.000 I've been in the NBA over 25 09:05.000 --> 09:06.000 years. 09:06.000 --> 09:07.000 I can't recall another team 09:07.000 --> 09:09.000 reaching to an assistant coach 09:09.000 --> 09:10.000 in the middle of the season. 09:10.000 --> 09:12.000 And it's succeeded just 09:12.000 --> 09:13.000 marvelously. 09:13.000 --> 09:14.000 But no one has really stopped 09:14.000 --> 09:15.000 and given him credit. 09:15.000 --> 09:17.000 That is a very daring cutting- 09:17.000 --> 09:18.000 edge decision. 09:18.000 --> 09:19.000 You always hear we want guys 09:19.000 --> 09:21.000 that are cutting-edge, thinking 09:21.000 --> 09:22.000 outside the box. 09:22.000 --> 09:23.000 Well, that certainly is that 09:23.000 --> 09:24.000 type of a move. 09:24.000 --> 09:26.000 And its worked out tremendously. 09:26.000 --> 09:28.000 He's done just a fantastic job. 09:28.000 --> 09:29.000 And I've been so impressed with 09:29.000 --> 09:31.000 the resiliency that Lionel and 09:31.000 --> 09:32.000 his staff has shown. 09:32.000 --> 09:33.000 We've had the injuries. 09:33.000 --> 09:34.000 Two years ago, Rudy Gay. 09:34.000 --> 09:36.000 You're missing almost 18 points 09:36.000 --> 09:38.000 a game down the stretch and in 09:38.000 --> 09:39.000 to the play-offs and yet we go 09:39.000 --> 09:41.000 further than any Grizzlies team 09:41.000 --> 09:42.000 ever in the play-offs. 09:42.000 --> 09:43.000 Last year, you come back. 09:43.000 --> 09:45.000 You've got first, Darrell Arthur 09:45.000 --> 09:47.000 and then Zach Randolph go out 09:47.000 --> 09:48.000 for prolonged periods of time. 09:48.000 --> 09:49.000 Yet, they are able to 09:49.000 --> 09:50.000 compensate. 09:50.000 --> 09:52.000 After training camp we get 09:52.000 --> 09:53.000 Marreese Speights and Dante 09:53.000 --> 09:55.000 Cunningham and Quincy Pondexter 09:55.000 --> 09:56.000 in after camp. 09:56.000 --> 09:58.000 Bring them -- assimilate them on 09:58.000 --> 09:59.000 the fly. 09:59.000 --> 10:00.000 Yet, we end up with the best 10:00.000 --> 10:02.000 winning percentage for a regular 10:02.000 --> 10:03.000 season in the history of the 10:03.000 --> 10:05.000 franchise and home court edge in 10:05.000 --> 10:06.000 the first round of the play- 10:06.000 --> 10:07.000 offs. 10:07.000 --> 10:09.000 So Lionel's just done an 10:09.000 --> 10:10.000 unbelievable job here. 10:10.000 --> 10:12.000 >> Gaston: Well you led me in to 10:12.000 --> 10:13.000 my next question about last year 10:13.000 --> 10:14.000 -- absolutely crazy. 10:14.000 --> 10:16.000 First of all -- the lock out, 10:16.000 --> 10:17.000 the injuries, Z-Bo going down. 10:17.000 --> 10:19.000 You were able to go out there 10:19.000 --> 10:20.000 and get the players that you 10:20.000 --> 10:22.000 just mentioned to plug the 10:22.000 --> 10:23.000 holes. 10:23.000 --> 10:24.000 Not only plug the holes but as 10:24.000 --> 10:26.000 you said, this team went on to 10:26.000 --> 10:27.000 have their best winning 10:27.000 --> 10:28.000 percentage in history. 10:28.000 --> 10:30.000 A disappointment in the first 10:30.000 --> 10:31.000 round. 10:31.000 --> 10:32.000 Would you agree with that? 10:32.000 --> 10:33.000 Losing as a four seed? 10:33.000 --> 10:35.000 >> Wallace: The Clippers were 10:35.000 --> 10:36.000 certainly a very worthy 10:36.000 --> 10:37.000 opponent. 10:37.000 --> 10:38.000 They are a terrific team. 10:38.000 --> 10:40.000 Chris Paul is a true superstar. 10:40.000 --> 10:41.000 But I was disappointed. 10:41.000 --> 10:43.000 We got the series back to 10:43.000 --> 10:44.000 Memphis for game seven and we 10:44.000 --> 10:46.000 couldn't take care of home court 10:46.000 --> 10:47.000 advantage. 10:47.000 --> 10:48.000 I mean, that's something that 10:48.000 --> 10:50.000 hopefully has stuck in our guys 10:50.000 --> 10:52.000 crawls throughout the season and 10:52.000 --> 10:53.000 is a point of motivation for 10:53.000 --> 10:54.000 them. 10:54.000 --> 10:56.000 And we'd love to get home court 10:56.000 --> 10:57.000 again this year and then get 10:57.000 --> 10:59.000 back beyond the first round. 10:59.000 --> 11:01.000 >> Gaston: Chris, was it more 11:01.000 --> 11:02.000 gratifying to you personally to 11:02.000 --> 11:04.000 see what the team did two years 11:04.000 --> 11:05.000 ago when they were a win away 11:05.000 --> 11:07.000 from the Western Conference 11:07.000 --> 11:09.000 Finals or as we just mentioned, 11:09.000 --> 11:10.000 what you guys were able to piece 11:10.000 --> 11:11.000 together last year? 11:11.000 --> 11:13.000 >> Wallce: Well, the most 11:13.000 --> 11:14.000 gratifying moment of my entire 11:14.000 --> 11:16.000 NBA career, not just here in 11:16.000 --> 11:17.000 Memphis, Greg, was after we 11:17.000 --> 11:19.000 defeated the Spurs in game six. 11:19.000 --> 11:20.000 Captured that series. 11:20.000 --> 11:21.000 First ever series win in the 11:21.000 --> 11:23.000 history of the franchise for the 11:23.000 --> 11:24.000 Grizzlies. 11:24.000 --> 11:25.000 And I'm a fan at heart. 11:25.000 --> 11:27.000 I was a fan before I got in to 11:27.000 --> 11:28.000 the NBA. 11:28.000 --> 11:29.000 I'll be a fan long after they 11:29.000 --> 11:31.000 pull me from the NBA stage. 11:31.000 --> 11:32.000 And I went out on the FedEx 11:32.000 --> 11:34.000 Plaza and saw the jubilation and 11:34.000 --> 11:36.000 celebration that was going on on 11:36.000 --> 11:37.000 Beale Street throughout downtown 11:37.000 --> 11:38.000 Memphis. 11:38.000 --> 11:40.000 I got a yellow rally towel, ran 11:40.000 --> 11:42.000 up and down Beale Street waving 11:42.000 --> 11:43.000 the towel. 11:43.000 --> 11:44.000 That absolutely was the 11:44.000 --> 11:45.000 highlight of my career. 11:45.000 --> 11:46.000 And just to see what this 11:46.000 --> 11:48.000 victory meant to the community, 11:48.000 --> 11:49.000 the joy it brought in all 11:49.000 --> 11:51.000 sections of Memphis was just 11:51.000 --> 11:52.000 overwhelming to me. 11:52.000 --> 11:53.000 >> Gaston: Certainly a shot in 11:53.000 --> 11:55.000 the arm for the community and 11:55.000 --> 11:57.000 they're so excited about this 11:57.000 --> 11:58.000 upcoming year. 11:58.000 --> 11:59.000 So let's talk about personnel. 11:59.000 --> 12:01.000 You go a whole year without 12:01.000 --> 12:02.000 Darrell Arthur. 12:02.000 --> 12:03.000 He comes back form injury. 12:03.000 --> 12:05.000 Last week he gets hurt again 12:05.000 --> 12:06.000 with a leg fracture. 12:06.000 --> 12:07.000 They say four to six weeks but 12:07.000 --> 12:08.000 possibly sooner. 12:08.000 --> 12:10.000 >> Wallace: We prefer Darrell to 12:10.000 --> 12:11.000 be in at the beginning of 12:11.000 --> 12:12.000 training camp with no 12:12.000 --> 12:14.000 restrictions but all in all, at 12:14.000 --> 12:15.000 this point in time the injury 12:15.000 --> 12:17.000 doesn't require surgery. 12:17.000 --> 12:18.000 There could be a return shorter 12:18.000 --> 12:20.000 than the four to six weeks. 12:20.000 --> 12:21.000 So I just think this is a minor 12:21.000 --> 12:22.000 bump in the road. 12:22.000 --> 12:24.000 It's not an insurmountable wall 12:24.000 --> 12:26.000 that he's got to get over the 12:26.000 --> 12:27.000 top of. 12:27.000 --> 12:28.000 I know he's disappointed but 12:28.000 --> 12:30.000 he's done a great job with the 12:30.000 --> 12:31.000 rehabilitation. 12:31.000 --> 12:32.000 And I think we'll see him this 12:32.000 --> 12:33.000 year. 12:33.000 --> 12:35.000 >> Gaston: But it goes back to 12:35.000 --> 12:37.000 the genius question because you 12:37.000 --> 12:38.000 signed also Marreese Speights. 12:38.000 --> 12:40.000 There were many that thought it 12:40.000 --> 12:41.000 would either be Arthur or 12:41.000 --> 12:42.000 Speights and not both. 12:42.000 --> 12:44.000 And you signed both of them. 12:44.000 --> 12:45.000 >> Wallace: Well, we decided 12:45.000 --> 12:47.000 that these players have so much 12:47.000 --> 12:48.000 upside and they're so needed 12:48.000 --> 12:50.000 here that why split the baby and 12:50.000 --> 12:51.000 try to pick a winner? 12:51.000 --> 12:53.000 Let's just bring them both back. 12:53.000 --> 12:55.000 Now with bringing both Marreese 12:55.000 --> 12:56.000 and Darrell back, that meant we 12:56.000 --> 12:58.000 couldn't resign O.J. Mayo. 12:58.000 --> 12:59.000 I mean, there's always a price 12:59.000 --> 13:00.000 to pay. 13:00.000 --> 13:02.000 So we bring in Jerryd Bayless 13:02.000 --> 13:03.000 but we're very excited to have 13:03.000 --> 13:05.000 Darrell and Marreese back. 13:05.000 --> 13:06.000 We learned a very valuable 13:06.000 --> 13:07.000 lesson last year. 13:07.000 --> 13:09.000 You can never have too much 13:09.000 --> 13:10.000 depth in this business. 13:10.000 --> 13:11.000 Injuries do happen in the NBA 13:11.000 --> 13:12.000 and all of sports. 13:12.000 --> 13:14.000 In the NBA in particular, its 13:14.000 --> 13:16.000 very difficult to compensate for 13:16.000 --> 13:17.000 injuries during the season. 13:17.000 --> 13:19.000 Yes, we do have a minor league 13:19.000 --> 13:20.000 to draw from but you know, it's 13:20.000 --> 13:22.000 only 13 to 15 players on the NBA 13:22.000 --> 13:24.000 team -- not 50 some like in the 13:24.000 --> 13:25.000 NFL. 13:25.000 --> 13:26.000 And guys that are real key 13:26.000 --> 13:27.000 contributors are extremely 13:27.000 --> 13:29.000 difficult to compensate for when 13:29.000 --> 13:30.000 they go down. 13:30.000 --> 13:32.000 So we're happy to have Marreese 13:32.000 --> 13:33.000 and Darrel. 13:33.000 --> 13:34.000 And this is again a reason why 13:34.000 --> 13:36.000 you have them and Zach. 13:36.000 --> 13:37.000 So you can deal with an injury 13:37.000 --> 13:39.000 at a particular position. 13:39.000 --> 13:40.000 >> Gaston: Again with Zach, 37 13:40.000 --> 13:41.000 games he missed last year 13:41.000 --> 13:43.000 because of the partial MCL tear. 13:43.000 --> 13:45.000 He came back -- wasn't quite 13:45.000 --> 13:46.000 Zach. 13:46.000 --> 13:47.000 Do you expect him to be the old 13:47.000 --> 13:48.000 Zach this season? 13:48.000 --> 13:50.000 >> Wallace: Well, Zach's done a 13:50.000 --> 13:51.000 great job in the off-season 13:51.000 --> 13:52.000 getting in shape. 13:52.000 --> 13:54.000 He's very eager to come back and 13:54.000 --> 13:56.000 play at the level he did two 13:56.000 --> 13:57.000 years ago. 13:57.000 --> 13:58.000 You know, Zach is one of the 13:58.000 --> 14:00.000 foremost interior scorers and 14:00.000 --> 14:01.000 rebounders in the NBA -- great 14:01.000 --> 14:03.000 offensive rebounder and terrific 14:03.000 --> 14:04.000 hands. 14:04.000 --> 14:05.000 We're just eager to have him 14:05.000 --> 14:06.000 back. 14:06.000 --> 14:08.000 He means so much to our team -- 14:08.000 --> 14:09.000 not just on the floor. 14:09.000 --> 14:11.000 I've just really been heartened 14:11.000 --> 14:13.000 in the period of time he's been 14:13.000 --> 14:14.000 here, Greg. 14:14.000 --> 14:15.000 How the city has reacted to 14:15.000 --> 14:16.000 Zach. 14:16.000 --> 14:18.000 I mean, he is a Memphis player. 14:18.000 --> 14:19.000 He loves it here. 14:19.000 --> 14:20.000 He set up his residence full 14:20.000 --> 14:21.000 time. 14:21.000 --> 14:23.000 He wants to live here after his 14:23.000 --> 14:24.000 NBA is career is over with. 14:24.000 --> 14:26.000 He's done great work out in the 14:26.000 --> 14:27.000 community. 14:27.000 --> 14:29.000 When he turned the heat back on 14:29.000 --> 14:30.000 for those families who had their 14:30.000 --> 14:32.000 utilities turned off a few years 14:32.000 --> 14:33.000 ago during a cold snap. 14:33.000 --> 14:35.000 And what he did with a pit-bull 14:35.000 --> 14:37.000 that was abandoned this year on 14:37.000 --> 14:38.000 the animal channel with that 14:38.000 --> 14:39.000 program. 14:39.000 --> 14:41.000 I mean, he is a Memphis guy and 14:41.000 --> 14:42.000 a terrific player. 14:42.000 --> 14:43.000 We're just so happy to have him 14:43.000 --> 14:45.000 and hopefully, he's back strong 14:45.000 --> 14:46.000 this year. 14:46.000 --> 14:48.000 >> Gaston: As we talked about 14:48.000 --> 14:49.000 the core is back. 14:49.000 --> 14:50.000 You've signed all the big guys 14:50.000 --> 14:51.000 on this team. 14:51.000 --> 14:53.000 Gasol's back and Z-Bo's back. 14:53.000 --> 14:54.000 And of course, Rudy and Conley 14:54.000 --> 14:55.000 -- They're all signed. 14:55.000 --> 14:57.000 And then you go out and you 14:57.000 --> 14:58.000 bring in a couple of shooters. 14:58.000 --> 15:00.000 And you bring in some back up 15:00.000 --> 15:01.000 point guard help from Mike 15:01.000 --> 15:02.000 Conley. 15:02.000 --> 15:04.000 And those were the key areas 15:04.000 --> 15:05.000 that we discussed after the 15:05.000 --> 15:06.000 season. 15:06.000 --> 15:08.000 You go out and you get Jerryd 15:08.000 --> 15:09.000 Bayless. 15:09.000 --> 15:10.000 You go out and get Wayne 15:10.000 --> 15:11.000 Ellington. 15:11.000 --> 15:13.000 Talk about these additions and 15:13.000 --> 15:14.000 how much this could elevate you 15:14.000 --> 15:15.000 guys in the west. 15:15.000 --> 15:17.000 >> Wallace: Well, Jerryd Bayless 15:17.000 --> 15:19.000 was -- we talked about O.J. Mayo 15:19.000 --> 15:20.000 a few minutes ago -- was a 15:20.000 --> 15:22.000 contemporary of O.J. in that 15:22.000 --> 15:23.000 class of 2008. 15:23.000 --> 15:24.000 They both were freshmen in the 15:24.000 --> 15:25.000 Pac-10. 15:25.000 --> 15:27.000 Jerryd left after one year at 15:27.000 --> 15:28.000 Arizona. 15:28.000 --> 15:29.000 He was drafted in the lottery by 15:29.000 --> 15:30.000 Portland. 15:30.000 --> 15:32.000 He also played with New Orleans. 15:32.000 --> 15:34.000 Last year -- with Toronto. 15:34.000 --> 15:35.000 He had a career high three point 15:35.000 --> 15:37.000 mark last year around 44%. 15:37.000 --> 15:38.000 We got a dose of his talent last 15:38.000 --> 15:40.000 year in March when Toronto came 15:40.000 --> 15:42.000 in here and upset us in a double 15:42.000 --> 15:43.000 overtime game. 15:43.000 --> 15:44.000 He went for 26 -- I think seven 15:44.000 --> 15:45.000 rebounds. 15:45.000 --> 15:47.000 Made an indelible impression. 15:47.000 --> 15:49.000 And this just shows you how free 15:49.000 --> 15:50.000 agency often moves, Greg, in 15:50.000 --> 15:52.000 ways that you don't anticipate. 15:52.000 --> 15:53.000 Two years ago, I would have 15:53.000 --> 15:55.000 never told you we were going to 15:55.000 --> 15:56.000 sign Tony Allen. 15:56.000 --> 15:58.000 But one thing led to another and 15:58.000 --> 15:59.000 now Tony Allen's there for us. 15:59.000 --> 16:01.000 Going in to free agency last 16:01.000 --> 16:02.000 July, Jerryd Bayless really 16:02.000 --> 16:04.000 wasn't on our so called radar 16:04.000 --> 16:05.000 screen. 16:05.000 --> 16:06.000 He was a restricted free agent 16:06.000 --> 16:07.000 with Toronto. 16:07.000 --> 16:09.000 But Toronto removed the 16:09.000 --> 16:10.000 restricted tag for him early in 16:10.000 --> 16:11.000 the free agent process. 16:11.000 --> 16:13.000 And now we go, "Woah -- This guy 16:13.000 --> 16:15.000 can not only shoot to three. 16:15.000 --> 16:16.000 He's got more upside to reach 16:16.000 --> 16:18.000 and we love to have guys that 16:18.000 --> 16:19.000 continue to get better and 16:19.000 --> 16:20.000 better and have them peak. 16:20.000 --> 16:22.000 And gives us obviously some 16:22.000 --> 16:23.000 coverage if, God forbid, Mike 16:23.000 --> 16:25.000 Conley were to go down." 16:25.000 --> 16:26.000 That's where we were the most 16:26.000 --> 16:28.000 vulnerable on this roster. 16:28.000 --> 16:29.000 So we said it makes so much 16:29.000 --> 16:30.000 sense to go after him. 16:30.000 --> 16:32.000 He liked the idea of playing 16:32.000 --> 16:33.000 here. 16:33.000 --> 16:34.000 And it all came together. 16:34.000 --> 16:36.000 Then Wayne Ellington was part of 16:36.000 --> 16:37.000 a transaction where we 16:37.000 --> 16:38.000 reluctantly traded Dante 16:38.000 --> 16:39.000 Cunningham. 16:39.000 --> 16:41.000 Dante was unbelievable for us 16:41.000 --> 16:42.000 last year. 16:42.000 --> 16:43.000 As a worker and a tangible 16:43.000 --> 16:44.000 player, I can't remember one 16:44.000 --> 16:46.000 game where he didn't show up 16:46.000 --> 16:47.000 revved up and ready to go and 16:47.000 --> 16:49.000 playing with great enthusiasm 16:49.000 --> 16:50.000 and passion. 16:50.000 --> 16:51.000 But you saw in the play-offs 16:51.000 --> 16:53.000 when Zach Randolph came back, 16:53.000 --> 16:55.000 there was just no time for him. 16:55.000 --> 16:56.000 With Zach Randolph and Marreese 16:56.000 --> 16:58.000 Speights, now you've got Darrell 16:58.000 --> 16:59.000 Arthur. 16:59.000 --> 17:00.000 So their contracts matched up 17:00.000 --> 17:02.000 almost to the dime, same number 17:02.000 --> 17:03.000 of years. 17:03.000 --> 17:05.000 So we said we'll take a shot on 17:05.000 --> 17:06.000 a guy who, even though his 17:06.000 --> 17:08.000 production dipped last year, is 17:08.000 --> 17:09.000 known for his three point 17:09.000 --> 17:11.000 shooting capacity and Ellington. 17:11.000 --> 17:12.000 On a last year deal, just like 17:12.000 --> 17:14.000 Dante, and try to add more 17:14.000 --> 17:15.000 outside shooting to the team. 17:15.000 --> 17:17.000 Also on the outside shooting 17:17.000 --> 17:18.000 vein, Josh Selby was terrific in 17:18.000 --> 17:19.000 summer league. 17:19.000 --> 17:21.000 I mean, he had huge games out in 17:21.000 --> 17:23.000 Las Vegas -- seven, eight, nine 17:23.000 --> 17:24.000 three pointers. 17:24.000 --> 17:26.000 And I've had some people tell me 17:26.000 --> 17:27.000 since we returned from the 17:27.000 --> 17:29.000 summer league, "Yeah, but that's 17:29.000 --> 17:30.000 summer league." 17:30.000 --> 17:31.000 Yes, that's true. 17:31.000 --> 17:32.000 There's a difference between 17:32.000 --> 17:34.000 summer league and NBA basketball 17:34.000 --> 17:35.000 but the three point line is the 17:35.000 --> 17:36.000 same distance. 17:36.000 --> 17:38.000 >> Gaston: And the confidence 17:38.000 --> 17:39.000 that he really exudes. 17:39.000 --> 17:41.000 >> Wallace: And he made three 17:41.000 --> 17:42.000 pointers out there, Greg, 17:42.000 --> 17:43.000 getting knocked down. 17:43.000 --> 17:45.000 So I'm very impressed how he has 17:45.000 --> 17:46.000 added a three point component to 17:46.000 --> 17:48.000 his game in this off season, 17:48.000 --> 17:50.000 which really didn't exist when 17:50.000 --> 17:51.000 he came in to the league last 17:51.000 --> 17:52.000 year. 17:52.000 --> 17:54.000 >> Gaston: Chris, people were 17:54.000 --> 17:55.000 clamoring as they always do 17:55.000 --> 17:56.000 during the draft. 17:56.000 --> 17:57.000 "Get this guy. 17:57.000 --> 17:58.000 Get that guy." 17:58.000 --> 17:59.000 You got Tony Wroten. 17:59.000 --> 18:01.000 Tell us about the upside of Tony 18:01.000 --> 18:02.000 Wroten. 18:02.000 --> 18:04.000 >> Wallace: Well, Tony Wroten is 18:04.000 --> 18:05.000 a big point guard, close to 18:05.000 --> 18:07.000 6'5", comes from a tremendous 18:07.000 --> 18:08.000 athletic lineage with his 18:08.000 --> 18:09.000 family. 18:09.000 --> 18:10.000 His father played at the 18:10.000 --> 18:12.000 University of Washington in an 18:12.000 --> 18:13.000 Orange Bowl -- played for Tampa 18:13.000 --> 18:14.000 Bay. 18:14.000 --> 18:16.000 His mother was a championship 18:16.000 --> 18:17.000 hurdler in track. 18:17.000 --> 18:19.000 He's got an aunt that played for 18:19.000 --> 18:20.000 the Harlem Globetrotters. 18:20.000 --> 18:21.000 How many people have an aunt 18:21.000 --> 18:23.000 that played for the Harlem 18:23.000 --> 18:24.000 Globetrotters? 18:24.000 --> 18:25.000 He was one of the top ten high 18:25.000 --> 18:27.000 school players in the country -- 18:27.000 --> 18:29.000 one of the most five productive 18:29.000 --> 18:30.000 players in college basketball as 18:30.000 --> 18:32.000 a freshman last year, that 18:32.000 --> 18:33.000 freshman class. 18:33.000 --> 18:34.000 Very good at getting the basket. 18:34.000 --> 18:36.000 Excellent court vision. 18:36.000 --> 18:37.000 Athletic -- can be disruptive 18:37.000 --> 18:39.000 with his hands defensively. 18:39.000 --> 18:40.000 He's not a real shooter right 18:40.000 --> 18:41.000 now. 18:41.000 --> 18:42.000 That's going to come. 18:42.000 --> 18:44.000 But that's what happens in the 18:44.000 --> 18:45.000 NBA. 18:45.000 --> 18:46.000 You get a guy that can do the 18:46.000 --> 18:48.000 other things and you can 18:48.000 --> 18:49.000 concentrate now on the shooting 18:49.000 --> 18:51.000 to a greater degree than you can 18:51.000 --> 18:52.000 in college. 18:52.000 --> 18:53.000 And player's shooting ability 18:53.000 --> 18:55.000 gets better and better. 18:55.000 --> 18:56.000 Mike Conley's a case in point. 18:56.000 --> 18:58.000 Mike Conley did not come in the 18:58.000 --> 18:59.000 NBA known for his shooting. 18:59.000 --> 19:01.000 It was his speed, ball handling 19:01.000 --> 19:03.000 ability, ability to press up 19:03.000 --> 19:04.000 defensively. 19:04.000 --> 19:05.000 But the shooting has gotten 19:05.000 --> 19:07.000 better and better every year. 19:07.000 --> 19:08.000 At times, he's a real three 19:08.000 --> 19:09.000 point threat for us. 19:09.000 --> 19:10.000 So we think Tony Wroten is a 19:10.000 --> 19:12.000 player who's shot is not broken. 19:12.000 --> 19:13.000 It can be improved. 19:13.000 --> 19:15.000 And the other parts of his game 19:15.000 --> 19:16.000 can make him a very productive 19:16.000 --> 19:17.000 NBA player in time. 19:17.000 --> 19:19.000 >> Gaston: Chris, the west has 19:19.000 --> 19:20.000 certainly improved. 19:20.000 --> 19:21.000 You just look at the Lakers 19:21.000 --> 19:23.000 picking up Steve Nash and Dwight 19:23.000 --> 19:24.000 Howard. 19:24.000 --> 19:26.000 Other teams have added pieces. 19:26.000 --> 19:27.000 Your core, as we talked about, 19:27.000 --> 19:29.000 is there -- youth added pieces. 19:29.000 --> 19:31.000 How good can the Grizzlies be 19:31.000 --> 19:32.000 this season? 19:32.000 --> 19:33.000 What type of a run can they 19:33.000 --> 19:34.000 make? 19:34.000 --> 19:35.000 >> Wallace: Well, I'm very 19:35.000 --> 19:37.000 bullish on our team, Greg. 19:37.000 --> 19:38.000 I mean, you look at the last 19:38.000 --> 19:39.000 couple of years. 19:39.000 --> 19:41.000 We've won I believe ten play-off 19:41.000 --> 19:42.000 games. 19:42.000 --> 19:44.000 We had the first play-off win in 19:44.000 --> 19:45.000 the history of the franchise, 19:45.000 --> 19:47.000 the first play-off series win. 19:47.000 --> 19:48.000 We extended Oklahoma City to 19:48.000 --> 19:49.000 seven games. 19:49.000 --> 19:51.000 We went to seven games again 19:51.000 --> 19:52.000 with the Clippers. 19:52.000 --> 19:53.000 When we lose in a series, its in 19:53.000 --> 19:55.000 the fourth quarter of the 19:55.000 --> 19:56.000 seventh game. 19:56.000 --> 19:57.000 During a regular season, we've 19:57.000 --> 19:58.000 won in LA. 19:58.000 --> 20:00.000 We've won two of our last three 20:00.000 --> 20:01.000 games in Boston. 20:01.000 --> 20:03.000 We've won two of our last three 20:03.000 --> 20:04.000 games against Miami, including a 20:04.000 --> 20:06.000 very decisive win late in the 20:06.000 --> 20:07.000 season down there. 20:07.000 --> 20:08.000 We've won three games in 20:08.000 --> 20:09.000 Oklahoma City. 20:09.000 --> 20:11.000 We've been very competitive with 20:11.000 --> 20:12.000 the best teams in the NBA. 20:12.000 --> 20:14.000 And now we've got a little more 20:14.000 --> 20:15.000 continuity. 20:15.000 --> 20:16.000 We've been together just another 20:16.000 --> 20:17.000 season. 20:17.000 --> 20:19.000 Our coaching staff has not been 20:19.000 --> 20:21.000 together for about three and a 20:21.000 --> 20:22.000 half years. 20:22.000 --> 20:23.000 And we've hopefully added some 20:23.000 --> 20:25.000 outside shooting, in depth a 20:25.000 --> 20:26.000 point guard that was lacking 20:26.000 --> 20:27.000 last year. 20:27.000 --> 20:29.000 So I think we can be even better 20:29.000 --> 20:30.000 this season than we were last 20:30.000 --> 20:31.000 year. 20:31.000 --> 20:33.000 Now obviously, it takes a while 20:33.000 --> 20:35.000 for any team to come together. 20:35.000 --> 20:36.000 There's just not -- It's just a 20:36.000 --> 20:38.000 complete segue from one season 20:38.000 --> 20:39.000 to next. 20:39.000 --> 20:41.000 You got to build chemistry and 20:41.000 --> 20:42.000 get those scabs on you to 20:42.000 --> 20:43.000 toughen up. 20:43.000 --> 20:45.000 And then obviously with us and 20:45.000 --> 20:46.000 every other team, the keys going 20:46.000 --> 20:48.000 to be can we avoid injury. 20:48.000 --> 20:49.000 You know, if we've got a huge 20:49.000 --> 20:51.000 number of games played with our 20:51.000 --> 20:52.000 top players, we're going to be 20:52.000 --> 20:53.000 pretty good. 20:53.000 --> 20:55.000 If not, then we'll have to find 20:55.000 --> 20:56.000 a way to get around those 20:56.000 --> 20:58.000 injuries like we did last year. 20:58.000 --> 20:59.000 But again, I have very high 20:59.000 --> 21:01.000 expectations for this team. 21:01.000 --> 21:03.000 I'm not going to shy away from 21:03.000 --> 21:04.000 them. 21:04.000 --> 21:05.000 I think we can be a very 21:05.000 --> 21:06.000 formable team this year, despite 21:06.000 --> 21:08.000 all you're hearing about the 21:08.000 --> 21:09.000 upgrades in the western 21:09.000 --> 21:10.000 conference. 21:10.000 --> 21:12.000 >> Gaston: You got to worry 21:12.000 --> 21:13.000 about yourself. 21:13.000 --> 21:14.000 You can't worry about the other 21:14.000 --> 21:15.000 teams. 21:15.000 --> 21:16.000 Chris, we always end our 21:16.000 --> 21:18.000 interviews with our guests with 21:18.000 --> 21:19.000 five for the road. 21:19.000 --> 21:21.000 So fie rapid fire questions. 21:21.000 --> 21:22.000 Give me the first thing you can 21:22.000 --> 21:24.000 think of here for the answer. 21:24.000 --> 21:25.000 Favorite professional sports 21:25.000 --> 21:27.000 franchise other than the Memphis 21:27.000 --> 21:28.000 Grizzlies? 21:28.000 --> 21:29.000 >> Wallace: Other than the 21:29.000 --> 21:31.000 Memphis Grizzlies -- Wow. 21:31.000 --> 21:32.000 That would probably be the team 21:32.000 --> 21:33.000 I grew up, the Pittsburg 21:33.000 --> 21:34.000 Steelers. 21:34.000 --> 21:36.000 >> Gaston: The Steelers. 21:36.000 --> 21:37.000 I know if I went to college with 21:37.000 --> 21:39.000 that one, it would be West 21:39.000 --> 21:40.000 Virginia but that's not one of 21:40.000 --> 21:41.000 the questions. 21:41.000 --> 21:43.000 Question two -- favorite athlete 21:43.000 --> 21:44.000 of all time? 21:44.000 --> 21:46.000 >> Wallace: My favorite athlete 21:46.000 --> 21:47.000 of all time, you've never heard 21:47.000 --> 21:48.000 of. 21:48.000 --> 21:50.000 He's a guy named Archie Talley. 21:50.000 --> 21:52.000 He was my hero when I was a kid 21:52.000 --> 21:53.000 growing up at Salem College in 21:53.000 --> 21:54.000 West Virginia. 21:54.000 --> 21:56.000 Scored 3,700 point in college 21:56.000 --> 21:57.000 without the benefit of three 21:57.000 --> 21:58.000 point shot. 21:58.000 --> 22:00.000 He's from your neck of the 22:00.000 --> 22:01.000 woods. 22:01.000 --> 22:02.000 He's from Seat Pleasant, 22:02.000 --> 22:03.000 Maryland. 22:03.000 --> 22:04.000 One of the top ten basketball 22:04.000 --> 22:06.000 showmen I've ever seen and to 22:06.000 --> 22:08.000 this day, even though he never 22:08.000 --> 22:09.000 made it to the NBA, he played in 22:09.000 --> 22:10.000 Europe. 22:10.000 --> 22:11.000 He's my basketball hero. 22:11.000 --> 22:13.000 >> Gaston: Alright -- real quick 22:13.000 --> 22:14.000 for these final three. 22:14.000 --> 22:16.000 Favorite musician or singer? 22:16.000 --> 22:17.000 >> Wallace: Frankie Beverly and 22:17.000 --> 22:18.000 Maze. 22:18.000 --> 22:20.000 >> Gaston: Great group. 22:20.000 --> 22:21.000 Favorite TV show of all time? 22:21.000 --> 22:23.000 >> Wallace: Favorite TV show of 22:23.000 --> 22:24.000 all time -- wow. 22:24.000 --> 22:25.000 Well, you are really stretching 22:25.000 --> 22:26.000 me right now. 22:26.000 --> 22:27.000 (laughter) 22:27.000 --> 22:29.000 Right now, you know, I love a 22:29.000 --> 22:30.000 show on HBO called Treme. 22:30.000 --> 22:32.000 >> Gaston: I watch that all the 22:32.000 --> 22:33.000 time. 22:33.000 --> 22:34.000 >> Wallace: New Orleans is a 22:34.000 --> 22:36.000 city that's fascinated me for 22:36.000 --> 22:38.000 years and I just think that this 22:38.000 --> 22:39.000 is such a rare look at the city 22:39.000 --> 22:40.000 of New Orleans for many 22:40.000 --> 22:41.000 different angles. 22:41.000 --> 22:42.000 And I love Treme. 22:42.000 --> 22:44.000 >> Gaston: Great show. 22:44.000 --> 22:45.000 Finally -- favorite movie? 22:45.000 --> 22:47.000 >> Wallace: My favorite movie is 22:47.000 --> 22:48.000 a French movie called "Diva." 22:48.000 --> 22:49.000 (laughter) 22:49.000 --> 22:51.000 >> Gaston: I did not expect 22:51.000 --> 22:52.000 that. 22:52.000 --> 22:53.000 Chris, a pleasure. 22:53.000 --> 22:54.000 Thank you so much. 22:54.000 --> 22:55.000 Best of luck. 22:55.000 --> 22:56.000 >> Wallace: Thanks so much, 22:56.000 --> 22:57.000 Greg. 22:57.000 --> 22:59.000 >> Gaston: Chris Wallace of the 22:59.000 --> 23:00.000 Grizzlies. 23:00.000 --> 23:01.000 Thank you very much. 23:01.000 --> 23:02.000 We'll take a quick break and 23:02.000 --> 23:04.000 come back with Overtime right 23:04.000 --> 23:07.000 after this. 23:07.000 --> 23:28.000 >> (instrumental music) 23:28.000 --> 23:30.000 ♪♪♪ 23:30.000 --> 23:34.000 ♪♪♪ 23:41.000 --> 23:42.000 >> The Grizzlies hosted their 23:42.000 --> 23:44.000 annual media day on Monday, and 23:44.000 --> 23:45.000 as expected, optimism reigned 23:45.000 --> 23:46.000 supreme. 23:46.000 --> 23:48.000 The one thing about this bunch 23:48.000 --> 23:49.000 is that they truly have 23:49.000 --> 23:50.000 confidence in each other and in 23:50.000 --> 23:51.000 the mission at hand. 23:51.000 --> 23:53.000 Now, none of these players are 23:53.000 --> 23:54.000 going to predict an NBA title, 23:54.000 --> 23:56.000 but to a man, they believe they 23:56.000 --> 23:58.000 can once again be a factor. 23:58.000 --> 24:00.000 >> Gasol: We get better 24:00.000 --> 24:01.000 everyday. 24:01.000 --> 24:02.000 Other than that, we do all of 24:02.000 --> 24:04.000 the little things that we're 24:04.000 --> 24:05.000 supposed to do and at the end of 24:05.000 --> 24:07.000 the day, we're going to be okay. 24:07.000 --> 24:08.000 Randolph: We've got big 24:08.000 --> 24:10.000 expectations, you know -- bigger 24:10.000 --> 24:11.000 than last year. 24:11.000 --> 24:12.000 So we just go to come out. 24:12.000 --> 24:13.000 You know, I just want to put 24:13.000 --> 24:15.000 nothing right there but we want 24:15.000 --> 24:16.000 to go out and take one game at a 24:16.000 --> 24:17.000 time. 24:17.000 --> 24:19.000 You know, and play together and 24:19.000 --> 24:20.000 understand what we're playing 24:20.000 --> 24:22.000 for, understand where we got to 24:22.000 --> 24:23.000 go and what were trying to get 24:23.000 --> 24:24.000 to. 24:24.000 --> 24:26.000 >> Gay: I think its obvious what 24:26.000 --> 24:27.000 we expect -- what we want. 24:27.000 --> 24:29.000 You know, we made some moves and 24:29.000 --> 24:30.000 we adjust some of the things 24:30.000 --> 24:32.000 that we thought we need to 24:32.000 --> 24:33.000 adjust. 24:33.000 --> 24:34.000 Obviously, we want to the best. 24:34.000 --> 24:36.000 You know, last year kind of left 24:36.000 --> 24:37.000 a sour taste in our mouth. 24:37.000 --> 24:39.000 And you know, obviously, we want 24:39.000 --> 24:40.000 to do better than that. 24:40.000 --> 24:42.000 You know, I do think we can be a 24:42.000 --> 24:44.000 contender. 24:44.000 --> 24:46.000 >> Gaston: In my humble opinion 24:46.000 --> 24:48.000 this Grizzlies squad has a 24:48.000 --> 24:49.000 chance to be special if a few 24:49.000 --> 24:50.000 things occur. 24:50.000 --> 24:52.000 One, Z-Bo returns to true form. 24:52.000 --> 24:53.000 Two, Rudy Gay plays with a chip 24:53.000 --> 24:54.000 on his shoulder. 24:54.000 --> 24:56.000 Perhaps being left off the U.S. 24:56.000 --> 24:58.000 Olympic team can fuel the fire. 24:58.000 --> 24:59.000 And finally, off season 24:59.000 --> 25:00.000 additions Jarryd Bayless and 25:00.000 --> 25:02.000 Wayne Ellington can contribute 25:02.000 --> 25:03.000 by opening up the perimeter. 25:03.000 --> 25:05.000 Of course the obvious needs to 25:05.000 --> 25:06.000 also take place and that's to 25:06.000 --> 25:07.000 stay Doctor free. 25:07.000 --> 25:09.000 46 wins two seasons ago. 25:09.000 --> 25:11.000 41 last season in just 66 games. 25:11.000 --> 25:12.000 The West has only gotten better 25:12.000 --> 25:14.000 but I see the Grizz going 48 and 25:14.000 --> 25:15.000 34. 25:15.000 --> 25:16.000 One final note, the Grizzlies 25:16.000 --> 25:18.000 lost a cherished member of their 25:18.000 --> 25:20.000 family with the passing of Dana 25:20.000 --> 25:21.000 Davis, the team's Vice President 25:21.000 --> 25:23.000 of Basketball operations and 25:23.000 --> 25:24.000 team programs. 25:24.000 --> 25:25.000 Double D, as he was 25:25.000 --> 25:26.000 affectionately known, was a 25:26.000 --> 25:28.000 vital part of Michael Heisley's 25:28.000 --> 25:30.000 management team, a valued member 25:30.000 --> 25:31.000 of the Memphis community and a 25:31.000 --> 25:32.000 friend to many. 25:32.000 --> 25:34.000 He will be sorely missed. 25:34.000 --> 25:35.000 And that'll do it for this 25:35.000 --> 25:36.000 week's show. 25:36.000 --> 25:37.000 To see a replay of this program 25:37.000 --> 25:39.000 you can log on to WKNO-dot-org 25:39.000 --> 25:40.000 and click on 'KNO Tonite. 25:40.000 --> 25:42.000 Memphis Madness takes place next 25:42.000 --> 25:44.000 Friday at FedEx Forum, and next 25:44.000 --> 25:45.000 week on "Sports Files," we'll 25:45.000 --> 25:47.000 talk with two Tigers basketball 25:47.000 --> 25:48.000 stars. 25:48.000 --> 25:51.000 See ya next time! 25:51.000 --> 25:55.000 >> (instrumental music) 25:55.000 --> 25:56.000 ♪♪♪ 25:56.000 --> 26:00.000 ♪♪♪