March 10
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Ronnie Brewer, injured in his first game after being acquired by the Grizzlies in a trade, could return to the team early next week. Ronnie Brewer is experiencing very little pain these days, unless you count the agony of sitting out while the Grizzlies try to earn a playoff spot. The 6-7 swingman, acquired Feb. 18 in a trade with Utah, is recovering nicely from a partially torn right hamstring and could return to action early next week. Brewer's rehabilitation took a giant step Tuesday afternoon when he participated in his first noncontact practice since suffering the injury Feb. 19. Brewer won't be available tonight when the Grizzlies play at Boston against the Celtics. But his return ..."
March 7
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are still working toward a contract extension for coach Lionel Hollins, two months after team owner Michael Heisley initiated negotiations. "It's in my hands," Heisley said when asked about the status of contract talks. Hollins is working on a 17-month deal he signed Jan. 25, 2009 to replace Marc Iavaroni. Neither side would disclose the nature of the discussions nor why talks are still ongoing. Hollins, though, didn't sound concerned when asked about the situation Saturday night before the Griz hosted the San Antonio Spurs. "I talked to Mike when I was in Chicago. I think it'll get done," Hollins said while taping The Lionel Hollins Show, which posts today on ..."
March 4
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, who finished with a season-high 26 points, strips the ball from Hornets center Aaron Gray on Wednesday. The 6-7 guard/forward sounds as if he is on pace to fully recover from a partially torn right hamstring three weeks from the day he was injured. That means Brewer likely could resume full-contact basketball activities around March 12. Team officials have not set a return date."
February 5
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies have one eye on the standings and the other on the business of basketball two weeks before the NBA's trade deadline. In a season where the dynamics have gone from merely improving on last year's 24 wins to competing for a playoff spot, the Griz continue to mull potential trades designed to capitalize on their sudden momentum. General manager Chris Wallace reiterated Thursday night that the Griz are seeking "reinforcement for the stretch run" with a primary goal of securing a playoff berth. The Grizzlies' most glaring weakness remains a woefully unproductive bench. Their lack of depth is what separates the Griz from postseason competitors like the Houston Rockets, who arrive ..."
January 28
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Zach Randolph will be named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference, according to sources with knowledge of the voting. An official announcement will come tonight during a nationally televised NBA broadcast on TNT. League coaches were required to turn in their votes for reserves Tuesday afternoon. They could not vote for their own players. Randolph, a nine-year veteran, will make his first All-Star appearance during the Feb. 14 game in Dallas. He entered Wednesday night's game at Detroit as the only Western Conference player averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds."
January 21
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are discussing a potential trade in which they would acquire guard/forward Ronnie Brewer from the Utah Jazz. It is the latest development in the Grizzlies' quest to improve their bench. The teams have mainly talked about which future first-round pick the Jazz would receive in return for Brewer. It is not known whether other players are involved. Memphis is not willing to part with its own 2010 pick. The Griz have made available their late first-round selections (via Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers) for the right deal. The Jazz may also be seeking a 2011 pick. The Griz have also shown interest in dealing for Miami's Dorell Wright."
January 17
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Griz coach Lionel Hollins experimented with his lineups for a second straight game, allowing at least four reserves to play together at once Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Hollins, who used a five-man substitution Friday night, said he's trying to develop an otherwise offensively challenged bench. "I've been working with them to see if we can have a five-man group go into the game," Hollins said. "It's something I want to look at." Meanwhile, the Griz haven't abandoned their quest to potentially add another player through free agency or trade. Memphis is one of several teams showing interest in Miami Heat swingman Dorell Wright. The Heat appears to be faced with the choice ..."
January 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Chris Wallace expressed his desire to see a Grizzlies championship parade on Beale Street the moment he arrived in Memphis nearly three years ago. He clearly needs more time to make that happen, and all signs point to Wallace getting it. Wallace's contract with the Grizzlies is set to expire following this season. But barring a dramatic turn of events, he'll remain the team's general manager and vice president of basketball operations for years to come. "He works hard and he's done a fantastic job," Griz owner Michael Heisley said. "He's someone I work with well. We have great chemistry. I'd like for Chris to stay and I think he'll be with us for a good period of time." A franchise best ..."
January 5
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Earning a postseason berth hasn't been one of the Grizzlies' stated goals for this season. But privately, they have made appearing in the playoffs a mission. To that end, the Grizzlies' effort to improve the team's depth is ongoing. Memphis has three first-round picks in the 2010 NBA draft and is peddling its two late-round selections in an attempt to add scoring off the bench. The Griz will not take a player whose deal extends beyond this season if they indeed consummate a deal. Although they are willing to trade draft picks because of the team's youth, the Griz are not offering their own 2010 selection. Memphis' first-round picks that are owed from Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers are ..."
December 11
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies are attempting to sign former Houston Rockets guard Von Wafer in an effort to improve their perimeter shooting, particularly from beyond the 3-point arc. Wafer will join the Grizzlies next week if certain dominoes fall as expected, sources told the Commercial Appeal. Wafer, a 6-5 Florida State alum, first needs to complete a divorce with his current team, Olympiakos, a European club that reportedly has Wafer under contract for $2 million but for whom he hasn't logged significant playing time. Wafer would then need a letter of clearance from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) before he could sign a deal with the Grizzlies. Wafer last played in the NBA with the ..."
December 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies played Monday night without two starters — forward Rudy Gay and point guard Mike Conley. Conley dressed but wasn't available due to the left shoulder strain he suffered Sunday in the team's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Gay left the team to attend a funeral for a family member in his hometown of Baltimore. Griz coach Lionel Hollins inserted rookie swingman Sam Young and veteran point guard Jamaal Tinsley into the starting lineup in place of Gay and Conley. Gay asked for and received permission to board a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Baltimore Sunday following the Grizzlies' game against the Clippers. He is expected to rejoin the team Wednesday when it concludes a ..."
November 26
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson's brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies ended unceremoniously. The 34-year-old's NBA career, after 14 seasons, came to a halt in similar fashion Wednesday when Iverson announced his retirement. Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, formerly of ESPN and the Philadelphia Inquirer, published Iverson's statement on his Web site. "I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case," read the statement attributed to Iverson. "I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level. ..."
November 16
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley says Allen Iverson's time is up. Heisley told Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, that his client must decide soon whether he'll play or retire because the Grizzlies won't deal with the uncertainty beyond this week. Iverson, 34, has been away from the Grizzlies for the past 10 days on a personal leave of absence. "I've treated this like Allen told me it was – a personal leave," Heisley said. "But either he's retiring or coming back to play. I'm not upset with Allen. We'll be happy to accommodate Allen. If he retires, then he retires. If he wants to come back, we'll gladly accept him back. But I have personally made it clear that there's going to have to be a ..."
November 15
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace oversees a team that is shaky at the point and has little to no leadership in the locker room. The hope is that veteran floor general Jamaal Tinsley provides an upgrade in both of those areas. Wallace insisted Saturday that signing Tinsley to a one-year, veteran's minimum deal had nothing to do with Allen Iverson's weeklong leave of absence due to personal reasons. Either way, Iverson still isn't with the team and starting point guard Mike Conley entered Saturday's game against Minnesota as the weakest link to a 1-8 start to the season. "We just felt that (Tinsley's) experience and playmaking ability could be of benefit to us," Wallace said. "So we ..."
November 12
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies rookie Hasheem Thabeet did not make the trip to Toyota Center, but he could return from injury as soon as Saturday. The rookie center appeared to suffer a broken jaw Tuesday after a collision with teammate Zach Randolph during a loss to Portland. But Griz coach Lionel Hollins described Thabeet's injury as a "fractured bone on the lower jaw along the teeth line." Thabeet will miss only a matter of days. "It's a hairline fracture," Hollins said. "They've got it wired. Obviously, it'll be a pain issue, but we'll see what happens." Hollins said the timing of the injury was bad, too. He'd decided to give the 7-footer consistent playing time. "I was going to give him that time ..."
November 10
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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As much as the Grizzlies are sympathetic toward Allen Iverson and are rooting for his return from a personal leave of absence, their last workout wasn't the first without him. The Griz had plenty of practice with Iverson away because of a hamstring injury during the preseason. Still, the team's time spent on the FedExForum practice court Monday was anything but a routine day at the office. The Griz return home to face the Portland Trail Blazers tonight with a five-game losing streak and a bit of controversy in tow. Iverson won't make his scheduled home debut in a Grizzlies uniform. Their defense is ranked last in the league. The Grizzlies' 1-6 record is the worst in the Western Conference. ..."
November 3
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Fourth-year forward Rudy Gay and the Grizzlies failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension before the NBA deadline. Negotiations broke off Monday evening so Gay will become a restricted free agent next summer. The Griz still can match any offer sheet Gay signs. The parties had until 10:59 p.m. CST Monday to strike a deal. "We've agreed to not agree," said Jeff Austin, Gay's agent. "We looked at different ways we might try to get something done and we weren't able to agree." An NBA source said the Grizzlies' final offer was a five-year deal worth about $50 million. Gay was asking for a deal similar to Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge (five years, $65 million with incentives), ..."
November 1
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Time is expiring on Rudy Gay and the Grizzlies as it relates to working out a contract extension. But Gay isn't watching the clock. While Gay's agent, Jeff Austin, continues to discuss his client's long-term future with the franchise, the 6-8 forward remains indifferent. "I'm not concerned about that," Gay said. "If it happens it happens. If not I'm looking forward to being a (restricted) free agent. It's hasn't been my focus. My focus is playing games like (Friday night) and getting wins." The Griz, fresh off a 115-107 victory over Toronto, boarded a flight Saturday for Denver where they'll begin a five-game road trip tonight in the Pepsi Center. The NBA extended a deadline for contract ..."
October 30
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson says he's ready to run with the Grizzlies if the trainers give him permission. And MRI results put Iverson closer to his goal Thursday morning when he was cleared to participate in a full-contact practice. But while Griz coach Lionel Hollins said the workout was encouraging, his understanding is that Iverson's return is targeted for Monday when the team plays at Sacramento. So the Griz are expected to be without the 10-time all-star guard for tonight's game with the Toronto Raptors at FedExForum. "I felt good," Iverson said. "It was a regular day of practice for me. I didn't feel any pain. I didn't feel fatigued to not be able to get through it. I'm ready to play. It's up to ..."
October 27
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The Grizzlies added star power to their roster in the offseason with Allen Iverson. Now, they might be on the verge of hiring a Hall of Famer for the coaching staff. Legendary NBA center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sat in on the Grizzlies' practice Monday morning. The NBA's all-time leading scorer will entertain joining the organization, several sources confirmed. Grizzlies management had no comment about Abdul-Jabbar's presence. Memphis, however, asked for and received permission from the Los Angeles Lakers to speak with Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar, 62, is under contract with the Lakers after having tutored Andrew Bynum over the past several seasons. But the Los Angeles Daily News reported earlier ..."
October 22
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Apparently Dwyane Wade can turn it on when he wants. Wednesday night, in the Heat's home exhibition finale, Wade wanted. So he scored 14 of the Heat's first 20 points and had 19 by halftime of what turned into a 99-93 victory over the Grizzlies at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I wanted to be aggressive, get my rhythm," he said. Feisty to the point that he was arguing with replacement referees who likely will be replaced by the real thing in time for next week's season opener, Wade pushed and prodded his teammates all the way back from what was an 18-point first-quarter deficit. Wade entered with a 16.3 preseason scoring average on 38.6-percent shooting, coming off of a bruised left calf that ..."
October 18
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur sat out Saturday and will miss the rest of the preseason because of a right partial pectoral tear. Arthur originally suffered a pectoral strain a week before training camp began. He aggravated the injury last Monday during the Grizzlies' preseason loss against the Orlando Magic. A timetable has not been set for Arthur's return. "It sets him back from a conditioning and learning perspective," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "Those other guys will be moving into his spot as we go forward. When you get hurt during the season, it's always a problem trying to catch up when you come back." Arthur appeared in three preseason games after missing the first week of ..."
October 16
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Unless there is significant progress in negotiations, it appears the Grizzlies and forward Rudy Gay will not agree to a long-term contract extension before the Oct. 31 deadline. Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said Thursday that the discussions, while amicable, are about where they've been since the summer. Wallace has negotiated with Gay's agent, Jeff Austin, since July 1. They have met in Las Vegas, Memphis and briefly in Richmond, Va., where the Griz played a preseason game against the Washington Wizards. Wallace would not characterize their most recent talks, and it is not known where each side stands with regard to total compensation. "We've had our discussions. We'll have ..."
October 8
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson will miss three weeks with a partial tear in his left hamstring, the Grizzlies announced before Wednesday's preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That means Iverson will be sidelined for the rest of the preseason -- and his availability for the team's regular-season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 28 is in jeopardy. "Very disappointing," said Iverson, a 10-time NBA All-Star and one of the team's key offseason acquisitions. "My whole thing is trying to make something positive out of a negative situation, and the way I see it is, I'm glad it's happening right now than during the season. So that's the only positive I can take out of the whole situation." ..."
October 7
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson will have an MRI today because of a strained left hamstring that forced him to sit out Tuesday when the Grizzlies began their exhibition schedule against the Washington Wizards. Iverson's preseason debut will be delayed again tonight as the veteran guard will miss the Grizzlies' preseason home opener against Oklahoma City in FedExForum. Iverson said this is the first time he has experienced a strained hamstring. His absence is not simply a precautionary measure. "I can't go," Iverson said. "If it was Game 7 of the (NBA) Finals, I wouldn't be able to go." Iverson tweaked the hamstring during Sunday's scrimmage at the Grizzlies' training camp in Birmingham. He didn't practice ..."