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by erniefreeman from Memphis, Tennessee

Last Post 1 day, 5 hours Ago


With the 5th pick, the Grizzlies select......
Jun 11, 2008 | 7:28 AM
Category: Sports
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     These local sports people kill me.  Every year they try to convince us that the local pro basketball team doesn't have a high enough pick in the draft to select a star that will make the Grizzlies better next year.  Memo to the local sports people.  Wake up and smell the history of the NBA draft.  That's the first point.  The second point is if you're looking for a quick fix turn around scenario, that's more likely to happen with a blockbuster trade.  See the Boston Celtics.
     To the first point of the fifth pick being too low and too late for the Grizzlies.  The Philadelphia squad selected Thaddeus Young with the 12th pick in 2007.  He's a starter and a future star.  Grizzlies went with Conley.
     Not much going on after the fifth selection in 2006, unless you count Brandon Roy with the sixth pick.  He's doing just fine in Portland.  49th pick Leon Powe seemed to be working out for Boston in game two of the finals the other night.  And Daniel Gibson, LeBron's sidekick in Cleveland seems like a good pick with the 42nd overall selection in 2006.
     2005 saw Monta Ellis go with the 40th pick to Golden State.  He's a future all star.
     2004 was much the same, highlighted by Luol Deng going with the seventh pick and Andre Iguodala going with the ninth pick.
     2003 saw Dwyane Wade go with the fifth pick, David West with the 18th and Memphis select Kendrick Perkins with the 27th.  But that was part of a trade that brought Dahntay Jones to Memphis.  How did that work out? 
     Okay, last one.  In 2003, Memphis had the 4th pick, but passed on Amare Stoudemire, who went ninth.  And in the second round, Cleveland took Carlos Boozer.  A couple of big guys who are doing okay in the NBA. 
     The issue isn't the fifth pick is horrible.  The issue is whether the Grizzlies front office has the ability to find the guy who will be a star.  History suggests they don't.  And for the sports guys who keep telling us that selecting fifth is like being sentenced to torture by waterboarding, I say shut up.
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Member Comments Total Comments: 12
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MattStark read my blog
Jun 12, 2008 | 2:19 PM

Just who are you talking about here EFree?

I'd go further into this topic but I'm not sure If I'm one of the "local sports guys" being told to shut up.
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2008 | 9:43 AM

I shouldn't tell the local sports guys to shut up. They should definitely keep talking and writing. But they should stop letting the executives of the Grizzlies off the hook by creating and perpetuating this notion that there is no talent in the draft after Rose and Beasley. So, let's modify the shut up request and make it a "make some sense" request. BTW Stark, I did not have you in mind when I wrote this inital blog, I was thinking more about the sports columnist in the Commercial Appeal who said the Grizzlies should package a group of players to get Beasley. Calkins is the dude, I think. Good writer who almost gets it.
crony_capitalist read my blog
Jun 13, 2008 | 9:49 AM

Whoa Ernie. You killin' ants with sledgehammers. Too heavy!
This is too much poundage for "to whom it may concern"
I think you going too deep. The people may not have the "floor" to support the weight of this truth you layin down. But for those who have the eyes to see & the ears to hear. Pay attention. because you are spelling it out.

As concerns the Grizzlies, it does seem like the front office don't quite understand drafting, or talent scouting, or building a team, or chemistry. They have had more lottery picks than anybody, but I don't get the sense that the TEAM has capitalized off the privilege of being bad. The Grizzlies may need a new philosophy moreso than any player or coach.
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jun 13, 2008 | 10:34 AM

I am getting sick of so called sports coverage in this town. I don't want to put my foot down, but I will.
raellis96 read my blog
Jun 16, 2008 | 1:11 PM

I feel the grizzlies should trade the # 5 pick. There will be no one available at 5 that will make the grizzlies a contender next year. Trade the pick for more picks and a veteran and rebuild the team, that is what they are trying to do. The city has a winners in memphis bbq and the memphis tigers basketball team, now it is time for the grizzlies to step up and be recognized.
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jun 18, 2008 | 6:48 PM

Boy, those draft picks from last year really put the Celtics over the top this year. If you're confused by that statement, please read sarcasm post.
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jun 18, 2008 | 7:06 PM

The rooks turned it around for the Celtics. Man, what a draft. Glen "Big Baby" Davis out of LSU and Gabe Pruitt from USC. How could they have won it without those guys on the roster?
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jun 20, 2008 | 4:40 AM

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/ma
gazine/MAG1010279/1/index.htm
MattStark read my blog
Jun 23, 2008 | 8:54 PM

You're all over the map here Efree- like the time you guys went to Baton Rouge while trying to get to New Orleans.

Now you want the Grizz to rebuild by pulling off a blockbuster trade? I like that idea- but there's one small problem. Who ya gonna trade?

Who will bring anything of value? Rudy obviously, Miller will get ya something, as will Lowry, but that's abouot it. The Celtics gace away the farm (5 players, plus cash, plus a future #1 pick) to get KG. The Grizz don't have the talent to deal to make that kind of a deal.

So blow me away GM Freeman, fix this mess and lay it out there for all to see....
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jun 24, 2008 | 6:16 AM

1. Determine realistic expectations for a cheap franchise with a dwindling fan base.

2. Put together a good team and let it grow.

3. Stop pretending to be the Lakers or the Celtics.
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jun 24, 2008 | 6:23 AM

Stop crying like the draft or some unrecognizeable force has screwed up the team. The guys who select the players have screwed up the team. They know who they are. Don't let them off the hook by suggesting that the fifth pick is the 90th pick.
erniefreeman read my blog view my photos
Jul 1, 2008 | 10:43 AM

Nice job on draft night by the Grizzlies front office. They won 22 games last year. This team should be good for, at least, 26 wins.
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erniefreeman

Co-Host of the Emmy Award winning Good Morning Memphis on Fox-13, and a member of the Fox-13 News I-Team, I also make the best mac and cheese in the world. Just ask Valerie Calhoun. After an 18 month layoff, I resumed my golfing pursuits April 26th, 2008. I think I'm going to resume saying, "it is what it is." If I'm hanging out in Memphis I'm at Onix on Main Street and EP's Delta Kitchen on Beale Street. If you have a cell phone, I will send this text message: How about those New York Football Giants! all year long. I recently stopped drinking coffee, and life without it is fine.

Member Since: 10/3/2006


 

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