Feb
13, 2001
NBA
BASKETBALLNews Article - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Grin
and Bear It Grizzlies
organization needs to quit whining and play some basketball
By
JOSH SMITH
Rumblings
this week out of the Pacific Northwest are making the NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies
look like the site of Barry Manilow’s latest tour stop. In just the last
few days, it seems the entire Grizzlies organization has publicly mentioned
their desire to bolt. From obstinate owner Michael Heisley to turbulent
talent Shareef Abdur-Rahim, everyone and their dog has asked out of the
Midwest Division loss factory. The result? A Grizzlies lineup wishing they
were playing 36 holes at Pebble Beach instead of becoming weekly Laker
feed.
Okay,
so they are mired in yet another horrific season. Big deal. So are the
New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, L.A. Clippers, and a plethora of other
less-fortunate teams around the Association, and you don’t see them sounding
the alarms. Heisley has threatened to move the team, and there are a host
of cities drooling over the possibility of an NBA franchise. But that’s
irrelevant. What matters is that the Vancouver Grizzlies have some great
young talent, and so far this season, have been the victims of some terrible
luck. Just ask head coach Sidney Lowe, who spends his long post-game nights
trying to convince Heisley that his team is much better than they’ve played.
The problem is that they’re playing with zero confidence, and waving the
white flag even before finding out who their opponent is on the schedule.
What
nobody seems to realize is that on paper, they actually have a solid team.
Point guard Mike Bibby is a solid leader, and is playing surprisingly well,
all things considered. With more playing time, and a little seasoning,
the 2nd overall selection in last year’s draft, Stromile Swift, could be
a phenomenal force all over the court. Then there’s Abdur-Rahim, who’s
been in V-town since the Grizzlies’ birth in 1995. He is the club’s anchor
and, until recently, one of it’s biggest ambassadors. Despite all the positives,
the situation is a ticking time-bomb, thanks mainly to Heisley’s threats
of relocation, and Abdur-Rahim’s trade demands. The owner’s shape-up-or-ship-out
attitude is all well and good in principle. However, his time frame, like
so many of the team’s shots this year, is way off the mark. Give these
guys two or three years, and if they haven’t already jumped ship, they
should be a competitive club.
What
they really need to do is what they are getting paid to do. In the players’
case, just play the game of basketball. Forget about the distractions.
Play to win. The team’s management and coaching staff should be trying
to build a solid foundation through trades and give the lineup some much
needed depth. Instead of putting the burden on the players and blaming
Lowe for the lack of success, it should be Owner Heisley and General Manager
Dick Versace’s responsibility to take the steps necessary to improve.
A
few words for Mr. Heisley: Why can’t you concentrate on winning where you
are now? You’ll be making money again once the team starts winning, so
figure out a way to win instead of looking for quality real estate in Louisville.
Fill the roster, and you fill the seats. It’s a no-brainer. There’s no
reason to evacuate Vancouver. Just give Shareef what he wants, and get
something of value in return. Draft picks. Future considerations. Anything.
Here’s
the bottom line. Get the team concentrated on playing basketball again.
Once they regain focus, you’ll be able to show yourself at a Grizzlies
game without the embarrassment of owning a sinking ship. Your team, and
your adopted city, will be entirely grateful.
- - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[InsideHoops Home | Message
Board | NBA News | NBA Teams]
Find this basketball info useful? Share it with your hoops fan friends! Quick links:
