S65 Memphis Grizzlies Press Conference

[K-100]

Howdy folks and welcome to the S65 presser for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Last season was a pleasant surprise for our team. We witnessed our team of misfits and aging vets gel together nicely, resulting in some impressive basketball as we headed into the home stretch of the regular season. Even though we started to stumble in April we staved off a fierce comeback from the Washington Wizards to secure the final playoff spot via H2H tiebreaker. While we were soundly defeated by the defending champions in Round 1, it was undoubtedly a successful season overall.

I want to take a moment to recognize the achievements of some of our outstanding players. Russel Coffelt made a significant impact and took home the Rookie of the Year title. Genaro Montoya's incredible performance also led to his well-deserved All-Star honors. As for me, I am humbled and grateful to have been voted Coach and GM of the Year by my peers.

As we gear up for the new season, we are excited to welcome a host of new faces to the Memphis Grizzlies family. On draft night, we selected Rodger Holified at #14, and we are confident he will quickly earn a starting role as our new shooting guard. We also made some strategic trades, bringing in seasoned veterans like Malik Osborne, Tony Throckmorton, and Booker Davis. Additionally, we welcome a slew of new guards led by Harold Carter and Daryl Nelson who will take the reigns in the backcourt.

Once again, I want to emphasize that our trade block remains wide open. We are open to exploring various opportunities to produce a quality team on the court and also earn points to tackle our outstanding tax bill. Please feel free to send your offers. Thank you all for joining us today, and we look forward to answering your questions this week.

[greepleairport]

Congratulations on your successes while fighting your way out of tax jail. You beat the odds and put together a hell of a team given your finances. As GM and Coach of the year, what could you do to retain those titles? If not you, who do you see stepping up this season in each of those categories?

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: is there another team you would take over right now that is best positioned for your deep tax championship run?


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[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: When you look at last year's season, would you say your coaching was better than your GMing or your GMing was better than coaching? And what's your reasoning?

[Eazy P]

With Montoya entering year 16, what will his role be with the team?

[jlmarines]

Justin Bieber; Teremana.com: What's your expectation on your rookie superstar KC Ndefo? Are you planning to play him immediately or is going to redshirt. How does it feel to know the Cavs will have a better record this year? Will that force you to play KC, as your only hope to win against powerhouse Cavs? Please explain. Grizzlies fans deserve to know why Cavs have a better team.

[Black Superman]

Desert here:

I think given the circumstances you have handled things very well. Earning those individual player accomplishments are important and can't go unnoticed given your tax situation. How close are you to paying off your tax bill because your contract situation is poised to make a run at free agency next season assuming you can become debt free. If you're not close, would you be willing to take on longer contracts so that you can maintain a decent team that would continue to earn you points.

[pennpanther1]

Do you think you can pay your tax bill in time before KC Ndefo hits free agency?

[K-100]

Congratulations on your successes while fighting your way out of tax jail. You beat the odds and put together a hell of a team given your finances. As GM and Coach of the year, what could you do to retain those titles? If not you, who do you see stepping up this season in each of those categories?

I think I'll have to really blow past expectations this season to repeat. At the very least win the division.

Not holding my breath of that happening so I'm going to predict the Houston Rockets win the GM of the Year and the Cleveland Cavaliers win Coach of the Year if they make the playoffs

[K-100]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: is there another team you would take over right now that is best positioned for your deep tax championship run?

Great question - Indiana Pacers

Don't look now but they only have $5 million on the books next season with Herb Jones entering UFA. They do not have enough expiring bird rights players RIGHT NOW (hint hint) but I think they can quickly trade for those given the handful of expiring players they have at various price levels, especially Saadiq Bey at $70M. He Hor by himself can fetch at least $85M next season. I'd aim for at least $450M in total salary if the other GMs would be willing to trade.

[K-100]

With Montoya entering year 16, what will his role be with the team?

Unofficial Mayor of Memphis.

[K-100]

Justin Bieber; Teremana.com: What's your expectation on your rookie superstar KC Ndefo? Are you planning to play him immediately or is going to redshirt. How does it feel to know the Cavs will have a better record this year? Will that force you to play KC, as your only hope to win against powerhouse Cavs? Please explain. Grizzlies fans deserve to know why Cavs have a better team.

KC Ndefo will be redshirted in year 2. He is making great progress and got some quality playing time last postseason against the Warriors. He is still raw but I'm counting on him to continue developing and hopefully we see him play as soon as next season.

It is a weird feeling to be looking up to the Cavs. I know deep down @jlmarines knows this too. But patience is my middle name. Just enjoy what little time I have left in tax jail. Because when I'm sprung free, they gonna need me to draw a map to find you.

[K-100]

Desert here:

I think given the circumstances you have handled things very well. Earning those individual player accomplishments are important and can't go unnoticed given your tax situation. How close are you to paying off your tax bill because your contract situation is poised to make a run at free agency next season assuming you can become debt free. If you're not close, would you be willing to take on longer contracts so that you can maintain a decent team that would continue to earn you points.

Still have about 180 points or so until this tax bill is paid off. I think after this season it is going to be a nightmare to get points because my team is going to be littered with y/y vet min contracts. I really think I am going to need about 4 more seasons to pay this off. I'd love to take garbage contracts once my cap space is restored but there are so many teams in tax jail right now it is going to be tough to stave them off and collect meaningful points. But my inbox is always open.

[K-100]

Do you think you can pay your tax bill in time before KC Ndefo hits free agency?

Hope so because I really like him as a foundational piece given his versatile skillset. But to be honest, I doubt it. I'd put my odds at 20% right now.

[K-100]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: When you look at last year's season, would you say your coaching was better than your GMing or your GMing was better than coaching? And what's your reasoning?

I'd say my effort was better at GM than Coach because I just did my Sim 1 depth chart and hit the "SAME" button the rest of the season while I did try to make trades at the deadline but unfortunately failed. I think this season I'll be more willing to experiment with the lineups if I struggle out of the gate.

[Black Superman]

Desert here:

I think given the circumstances you have handled things very well. Earning those individual player accomplishments are important and can't go unnoticed given your tax situation. How close are you to paying off your tax bill because your contract situation is poised to make a run at free agency next season assuming you can become debt free. If you're not close, would you be willing to take on longer contracts so that you can maintain a decent team that would continue to earn you points.

Still have about 180 points or so until this tax bill is paid off. I think after this season it is going to be a nightmare to get points because my team is going to be littered with y/y vet min contracts. I really think I am going to need about 4 more seasons to pay this off. I'd love to take garbage contracts once my cap space is restored but there are so many teams in tax jail right now it is going to be tough to stave them off and collect meaningful points. But my inbox is always open.

Golden opportunity to do what the pistons did and start rotating contracts of your players just to get players with longer deals while staying relevant so you can continue to earn points like you mentioned.