MattStark's Blog

You know the old saying, you gotta bet Big to win Big?

That's exactly what the Memphis Grizzlies did in Thursday's NBA Draft, when landing O.J. Mayo and Darrell Arthur in a pair of trades.

Other than Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley, OJ is generally regarded as 3rd potential superstar in this class.

And the Grizz got him.

Did they take a risk? Sure. Kevin Love I believe will be a very solid pro- a 15 point, 9 rebound guy, night in and night out. The Grizz will also miss the outside shooting, and leadership of Mike Miller.

However, while I certainly appreciate what Mike did on and off the floor during his 4 and a half year run in Memphis, the time was right to move him.

Throw Mayo in with Mike Conley, and Rudy Gay and you've got a pretty talented young core to build around.

Adding Darrell Arthur, a 6-9 power forward from Kansas-- who should have been a lottery pick, if not for an unwarranted medical issue-- and that's just icing on the cake.

So whaddya think Grizz fans? Did the draft exceed your expectations? Are you back on board and feeling the love for the hometown team?

OK Memphis Grizzlies fans- it's need to know time.

The 2008 NBA Draft is about 24 hours away.

You've heard all the rumors-- well probably not all of them, since a new one pops up every few minutes-- but you know that Miami is apparently open to the idea of trading the #2 pick.

That, unless the Bulls front office has gone plum crazy, means Michael Beasley will be there for the taking.

I'm temporarily sidelining Chris Wallace and making YOU the GM of the Grizz.

Should the Grizz do anything in their power to trade up to get Beasley? Keep in mind, the hot rumor right now would mean sending Mike Conley, Mike Miller and the #5 pick, in exchange for the #2 pick and Daequan Cook.

Are you interested in that, or does including Conley (last years #4 pick) make that price tag too steep?

If it's too steep and you stay put at #5, who would you draft?

Like Christopher Walken needing "More Cowbell", it sure looks like the Memphis Grizzlies have decided that they need more Gasol on their roster.

Reports from Spain surfaced last week that said the Grizz have already worked out a 3 year, $9 million dollar deal for Pau's littler brother Marc Gasol. And don't be mislead by the word little, Marc is little brother to Pau in name only, topping out at 7 foot 1, and tipping the scales at 270 pounds (give or take an lb. here or there).

His arrival would allow the Grizz to move Darko Milicic back to power forward, and hopefully fill the need that this team has had ever since they arrived in Memphis, which is a post presence that can rebound, and defend the paint.

For those of you who remember the chubby, rather immobile Marc from his playing days at Lausanne-- here is how he's described by DraftExpress.com

 The current leader in efficiency rating in the ACB League, Marc Gasol has built a pretty mistake-free style of game that helps him to emerge as a statistical standout. He’s long, very strong, nicely skilled, and very smart playing the game. A menace in the low post, he shows solid footwork, a decent jump-hook and a very nice turnaround jumper. Indeed his shooting range extends out to the three-point line, while he greatly combines his scoring power with his passing game, not really looking for definitive passes, but feeding his team’s offensive flow by distributing the ball from both the high and low post.

In spite of all that, his nice effort in the quarterfinal game wasn't enough for Akasvayu Girona to overcome an extremely solid Real Madrid team. Despite being regularly double-teamed, Gasol managed to amass 19 points, most of them coming off continuations towards the basket, and other off-ball stuff near the rim. The attention he delivered from Real Madrid defense didn't allow him to produce much in one-on-one plays in the low post, but he still connected on two thunderous one-handed dunks from there, one of them after capturing the baseline with an excellent spin move where he showed nice footspeed.

However, Gasol's great statistical production doesn't always necessarily reflect a dominating performance on the floor. Indeed, it didn't in this Copa. He wasn't really a go-to guy for Girona on the offensive end (mainly because of Real Madrid’s double-teaming defense, that's true), but especially he doesn't make a great impact on the defensive end. His limited mobility gets exploited in pick-and-roll situations that the opponents throw at him; he's not a great intimidator, he allows smaller opponents to shoot over him; and given his superb size, he's not the best rebounder around.

Still, Pau's younger brother is one of the most promising centers in Europe, and probably an underrated piece -by the American media- in the recent blockbuster trade that involved both brothers. Anyway, he doesn't seem to fit too well with the current Memphis Grizzlies game style, but he might be a nice asset to work in a trade in the near future.

So whaddya think?

Is this a good signing (assuming it happens) or due to a less than satisfying relationship with Pau, are you all Gasol-ed out?

Stunning news today courtesy of Tiger Woods web site, that Tiger will miss the rest of the season, and soon undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL that he injured last summer.

Wow.

And you think the economy is bad now.

Tell that to all the Big Wigs at the various networks who just saw their biggest draw, and money maker, go up in smoke.

Not to mention the tournaments that expected to have the sports #1 draw in their field. Or the advertisers that may want to rethink spending big bucks on tournaments that Tiger will no longer play in. And on, and on, and and on it goes.

How Tiger lasted almost a year, playing with a torn ACL I don't know, and how this layoff will affect him no one knows yet either.

But I know this. Don't bet against Tiger. Ever.

His doctors advised him to skip the US Open, and his swing coach, Hank Haney even doubted if Tiger could physically handle Torrey Pines... 

It's been a busy few weeks but here's some stuff that's been kicking around my cranium....

Anyone out there as worried as I am that the Grizz will blow it with this 5th pick?  I'm not interested in them drafting another soft, sweet shooting European. It didn't end well for the last one of those we had here....Ditto for the athletic kid from LSU, once bitten twice shy...I do know that Kevin Love had a great workout on Monday, and most mock drafts have the Grizz picking him. I think I can get on board with that, how about you?

I wanted Big Brown to win the Triple Crown, but in the end, I was just rooting for him to finish on all 4 legs....

How about that putt by Trevor Immelman on #18 last week? Talk about ice water in your veins.  Ditto for Justin Leonard's putt in the playoff hole for the win. It may have been hot out there, but the folks at the Stanford St. Jude Championship did another bang up job at Southwind.

Anyone else worried that disgraced NBA ref Tim Donaghy may be telling the truth about officiating in the NBA? After watching Boston get a bunch of calls in Game 2 against LA, I just knew they were going to get hosed in Game 2 of the Finals-- and they did. The commish David Stern can call Donaghy a "rouge ref" all he wants, but he's starting to sound more and more like the Great and Powerful Oz, telling everyone to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain....

I love going to AutoZone park, I just wish it didn't always feel like I was making a trip to the Sun...

The Chicago Cubs have been red hot, but will they cool off now that Alfonso Soriano is headed to the DL for 6 weeks with a broken hand? I think Yes. Ditto for the Cardinals who will be without Albert Pujols for 3 weeks while he works back from a calf injury...

I love the idea of pairing Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the US Open. I only wish I could have seen them go head to head at the SSJC last week.

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th...Worried?

It's looking like another year without an appearance in Memphis by the worlds greatest golfer-- and the PGA's biggest draw, Tiger Woods.

Historically Tiger doesn't play --or enjoy-- TPC Courses, which of course the TPC Southwind is.

Bummer.

There are many charities that the PGA donates money to each year, but in my mind there is none better than the St. Jude Children Research Hospital, which has received over $19 million dollars from the Memphis tour stop since 1970.

Think about how much exposure the SJCRH would get if Tiger played in Memphis. The city too for that matter. You couldn't put a price tag on it, trust me.

I know that Phil Cannon, the Tournament Director, has done everything in his power to get Tiger to play here over the years, and this is where I wish the PGA would--or could-- get involved.

How they would do that is a blog for another day.

There are many arguments to be made on both sides.

Tournaments without Tiger don't draw nearly as well, or draw the ratings that events do, when Tiger is in the field. That is a fact. However, can you force someone to do something --and by that I mean Tiger-- and play somewhere where they don't want to? I don't know that you can.

All I know is this- the Stanford St. Jude Championship is a wonderful event, with hard working, dedicated people, and it exists to benefit sick children. As a father, I really enjoy playing a very, very small part in this event, and I wish Tiger would give Memphis a chance to grow on him.

It's really not that hot here in early June....

The sound you don't and won't hear tonight,  is the phone at the Memphis Grizzlies ticket office ringing off the hook, as once again, the Grizz got stiffed by Lady Luck in the NBA Draft Lottery.

A year ago the Grizz, who had the best chance of landing the top pick, dropped to the 4th pick.

This year, the Grizz didn't have the best chance of winning the #1 pick, and they didn't. They'll pick 5th in the June 26th Draft, and now the question is-

What now?

Nbadraft.net projects Arizona shooting guard Jerryd Bayless to be the 5th player selected, but there is no way he'll be wearing Beale Street Blue in 2008.

Maybe they'll go after Stanford center Brook Lopez, but will drafting Lopez make you want to hand a chunk of your hard earned cash for season tickets?

I didn't think so....

So like I said, what now? Any ideas?

Once again the bounce of a ping pong ball will determine the draft day fate of the Memphis Grizzlies.

With a lucky bounce Tuesday night, the Grizz will grab the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. If things don't go their way, despite finishing with the 4th worst record in the league, they could pick as low as 7th in the draft.

After falling short of the top pick last year- is there any reason to expect things to be different Tuesday night?

I'd like to be optomistic, but I'm not sure I can.

Although even if they don't get the #1 pick, I'd be happy with #2. That way you either wind up with Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. Don't even bother talking about OJ Mayo or Brook Lopez or anyone else.

For me it's all or nothing.

How about you?

There are reports from Dallas-- yep, not us this time-- that officials in Texas are investigating the high school transcripts of University of Kansas basketball star Darrell Arthur, and whether he was eligible to play in high school, which could affect whether he should have ever played for the national champion Jayhawks.

According to a former teacher and transcripts obtained by WFAA, Arthur was not passing math as a junior but his grade was changed without the teacher's knowledge.

The station said the NCAA told its reporter that if a player is found to be ineligible, his college team might have to forfeit any or all games involving that student.

The NCAA told ESPN.com that for Arthur to be ineligible, there would have to be evidence that Arthur or Kansas knew or should have known about the changed grade.

Just for fun, lets say Arthur IS found ineligible and Kansas is forced to forfeit every game he played in.

What happens to the National Championship?

Are the Memphis Tigers your new National Champs?

Memphis fans would you want that title?

I would have to pass. You've got to earn a title, not be handed one.

Would you really want the Tigers to be known as the only National Champion that lost in the title game?

Ever since the Memphis Tigers got left behind in the Great Bum Rush to leave Conference USA-- also known as the Big East expansion in 2003-- Tiger fans have had one singular goal. To follow their old rivals from Louisville, and Cincinnati to the greener pastures of the Big East.

And here's where it gets interesting.

Sources have confirmed to FOX13 Sports that University of Memphis officials have been in serious talks with the Big East about joining the conference.

How about them apples?

If and when it happens, the University of Memphis will the jackpot. Big time.

As a member of a BCS conference, the revenue sharing they would be entitled to, blows away anything they receive from Conference USA.

Consider this. In football alone, the Big East received over 18 million dollars to divide among it's 8 football members following the 2006-2007 season. Conference USA meanwhile had to split 18 million dollars with 4 other Conferences, comprised of 51 schools. The Tigers take of that, came to a mere 353 thousand dollars.

Talk about living in a different tax bracket.

So what do you think?

Obviously this would move would benefit the Tiger Football program more than any other. What would it mean though for Tiger hoops? John Calipari has proven that he can prosper as the Big Fish in a small pond (3 straight 30 plus win seasons), would he enjoy knocking heads in the rugged and tradition rich Big East Conference?

This brings up a whole lot of questions and avenues to explore, but to avoid turning this into the worlds longest blog entry, I'll end it now with this--Would you have any reservations about the Memphis Tigers joining the Big East, or is it a no-brainer to leave C-USA in the dust?

Anyone else wondering why the road team never wins in the NBA Playoffs?

Headed into Mondays game between Boston and Cleveland (in Cleveland) the home teams are 14-1 in the Semi-Final Round.

I understand that teams play better at home than on the road- but that much better? Some of these games have been an exact opposite simply based on where they were played.

New Orleans absolutely destroyed the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the 1st 2 games of their series, and both those games were played in the Big Easy. But life in Texas hasn't been easy for the Hornets as they've been routed in the 2 games in San Antonio by a combined 31 points.

Ditto just about for the Celtics. They crushed the Cavs in game 2 in Beantown- and then got thumped in Cleveland on Saturday by 24.

Why why why?

Does home cooking really go a long way? Are teams getting cruddy room service in the team hotels? Of course not, these guys aren't like you and me, bunking up at the Red Roof Inn- their hotels are nicer than most people's houses. So what could it be?

I'm looking for ideas here people....

Wow.

That was my reaction Thursday, when I picked my jaw off the floor, to the news that Tennessee's Chris Lofton played his senior season after surviving a bout with testicle cancer during the spring and summer of 2007.

The fact that the cancer was discovered only due to a random drug test by the NCAA is incredible.

The full story- available on ESPN.com  is just amazing.

The courage and determination Lofton showed is a fine example for all about what the human spirit can endure. His decision to keep his diagnosis and treatment a secret was, I'm sure, not an easy one.

Looking back, it's even more remarkable how he handled himself when fans/media wondered "What's wrong with Chris Lofton" when he got off to a slow start this season. Think how much it must have been killing head coach Bruce Pearl-- who was one of the few UT officials who knew about Loftons treatment--to not be able to defend his player when those questions came up.

The good news is Lofton says he's in fine health, and looking forward to participating in the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando.

He's certainly got a new legion of fans in his corner.

This weekend the University of Memphis signed head basketball coach John Calipari to a big ol' contract extension- that should keep him on the sideline until the 2012-2013 season.

I say should, because everyone knows that Coaches contracts in general aren't worth the paper they're printed on. If Coach X decides he's leaving State U for for Other State U, no piece of paper will prevent that from happening. Prime example, Rich Rodriguez leaving a big contract at West Virginia for another even bigger contract at Michigan.

So why is this deal with Calipari worth mentioning? It's big because the University and their boosters have made it almost impossible for John to leave for monetary reasons, simply because no one will be able to pay him, like he's getting paid right now in Memphis.

The details may blow your mind. But here they are, $2.35 million a year with a longevity bonus of $5 Million if he stays until the contract expires. That oughtta help off set the rising Gas prices don't ya think?

But it's not just about the money. I mean it is, but there's more to it than that. By locking Cal up, and paying him what they're paying him, the University is also effectively buying him out from the constant rumors that Cal is on the next train out of town. Ya think that helps with recruiting? You better believe it does.

So is he worth the dough? You know what I think, how about you?

And so another season in Memphis comes to an end- and more than ever, the Grizzlies are in serious trouble. They're losing games, losing fans, and losing whatever grip they had on NBA fans in Memphis.

Ths is another very important off-season, and the biggest question the team is facing is- just what will it take for the City of Memphis (and surrounding areas) to get behind the Memphis Grizzlies again?

The obvious answer is "Just win Baby". Back to back 22 win season's are a big reason why fans aren't beating a path to FedExForum. This team has to get better talent on the floor, bottom line.

Rudy Gay is leaps and bounds better than he was as a rookie- and he looks like he's on the fast track to becoming a bona fide NBA star-- but who else would you pay money to go see on Grizz? Go ahead and think, I'll wait....

The draft is the key, once again-- and that should scare the hell out of the Grizzlies front office, because of what happened last year. If you get lucky enough this year to get the top pick, or even #2 overall, now you've got something to work with.

You take either Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose. And you just got better. Period.

The problem is- anyone out there really think the Grizz will get a top 2 pick? Me neither....

So now what?

Trading Pau Gasol freed up some cash, but what top notch free-agent are you going to get to come to a Memphis team that is still probably years away from making a run at the playoffs? The Answer- none.

Again, what now?

How do you get fans in the doors at FEF? Slashing ticket prices? Been there done that. Slashing concession and parking would be nice, but the team needs to make some cash somewhere, so that ain't happening.

So I'm taking suggestions- what would you do to make people care about the Grizzlies again?

A day after losing Derrick Rose to the NBA, the Memphis Tigers land the services of McDonalds All-American guard Tyreke Evans.

And the rich get richer. That sound you just heard was the rest of C-USA crying "MERCY".

Evans is a 6-6 guard who can play the point, but is probably better suited to be a shooting guard, and he's already NBA ready and most likely one and done at Memphis, just like Rose.

He's also buddies with 2 other Tiger recruits: Devin Ebanks, and Wesley Witherspoon-- and don't be surprised if they too will be wearing the Blue and Grey before it's all said and done.

Calipari obviously isn't into the whole "rebuilding" thing, he apparently only believes in Reloading.