06-04-08 Chris Wallace, VP Basketball Opps Memphis

Celtics Lakers that's all you have to say game one NBA finals tomorrow night at the TD BankNorth garden joining us on the line as a guy who lot. Is part of the Celtics history former general manager here now the vice president of basketball operations and general manager. For the Memphis Grizzlies are different Chris Wallace is on the line sacred site on. I do great things haven't talked in a long time.

A long time been away but Infante to close late. And revved up about this series just like you got sore.

Well before we get to all the niceties here Chris I'm I've got a real problem with him his start off okay.

I don't know Michael Lubavitch want to ignited -- you know if you have a merger big in Memphis I did my radio talk till last week you know host. Chris Vernon grabs a book it -- you know Michael -- Patriot Raines got the the Red Sox book the whole thing so you you are big down -- meant.

He no longer has any -- know it you know what you're talking I have no problems at all and not a problem with. Hurt her sources have told me that you know you really want to be on the -- you know outlook -- holly can't. Helen holly I'm really glad to hang out ignored way what what do we do to you.

Well -- duplicate produced Surat called dusty -- our PR director to Grilli got the job and happy to do it to buy him a little hurt I didn't make the cut this week the Lakers Celtics waitress big shelf.

I always get some guy named bird on their right thing. Yet to complete -- Larry Bird don't.

Only legends speed apply right.

Look I know you're -- hoops junkie you'd be watching an NBA finals no matter who was involved with -- but like all hoops junkies everywhere you gotta you gotta look at this one -- a little special.

Always -- special -- a rematch of the the great Lakers series is that you know many people just fixate on the eighties group with bird and magic that go back to Jerry west in. Too easy and rest quietly -- this is great great stuff I'm so excited to see this. Unfold in I'm just so happy for Danny Ainge and doc in the of the ownership everyone associated with the Celtics is just it past.

Chris house to sanded elbow about twenty minutes before he came on 25 minutes where he came. I was with everybody else for a long time. Memphis what were they thinking they gave up August all they must have something they must have something invested in my -- with the Lakers went championship. Start thinking about it. Hell it's gonna get for policy on made if people are thinking that he is a franchise player and no disrespect him as a good player. But he's not Kobe he's not Kevin Garnett. What -- I guess a couple questions one what do you think of of that criticism and Gregg Popovich came out that some things to what do you think of the criticism. That the people level that you for giving away Arkansas.

Well Michael it's in this day and age if you're going to work -- pro sports you get criticized. That just once criticized -- Now but -- you know this deal did get a little more criticize what I expected around the league -- contemporaries. You know Popovich was very vocal in you know and I mentioned. That to be here at a radio in Memphis although it does get picked up -- national like when he gets criticized and ESPN. You know you've been here it's great that one you know they traded Luis goal this summer basically get off to Jackie butler contract. Mark Cuban was very vocal to. You know I don't coliseum Boston when it -- Steve -- ago everybody has their own reasons for doing what they do an MBA now back to the Al -- straight. Now is obviously very good player there's no question all about them but in Memphis we needed to change Michael. Oh we were -- twelve in the playoffs it in the history -- rich. And when I got here. I tried a look at that and all the Al -- go now and it the president cast. We picked up Juan Carlos Navarro his best friend from Spain who's the good players on right. But by January could see this thing -- you know good intentions wasn't going anywhere. Our record over the last two years without Paulus slightly better than what with. And though we needed to make a change he need to get out of Memphis we need to get some flexibility. With our franchise that was one singular I poppy player we will around the league that we can acquire for him. So in that case the best alternative was to get some draft picks. Salary cap flexibility ironic that we picked up the rights to his brother it's not talked about much marked its own little brother and 71. And right now is arguably the best -- European VP of the Spanish league. Would be a top ten pick in my estimation this year in the draft he was it was -- sacrament Lakers last year so that we needed to make a change much as. Minnesota felt they needed to KG it was not happening to get their big contract player that you got to look to do something males.

It's funny too because people I mean you admitted that time you had several different offers you were sifting through you said it the offers didn't get any better than the Lakers one. And people think that like you don't have a vested interest. In making the best possible -- he can and this was the best.

always different -- we knew hope well private public education must you know all our might give you gotta make this thing work it's not rotisserie you know it. It's not you know Willie Mays for Mickey mantle type deals you know against it and fortunately the NBA today. We have to make deals often times -- player for player there in a tough for the they have to comprehend because we're getting delayed gratification out of us right. You'll pals run an up and down the court may go for twentieth -- in three blocks and forced system tonight -- you can touch and feel that. You know we're looking at adding 46 players over two to three years. But that's the nature of the game in the NBA today you know the Celtics were forced to make a deal few years -- to draft time. Get off to pick for Brandon Roy eight to get out from under. Contractor the Raef LaFrentz you know the most things happen in the NBA that sometimes you you have to go on a different direction. And it's not just about adding net player for now it's creating more possible which down the road and that's what did the night that we were.

They're -- reports that your owner Michael highs Lee's been trying to sell this team for a couple of years now. Was this torture and was this deal in any way a means of make team. The Grizzlies more attractive financially for a buyer.

Not really we have a pretty clean salary cap situation for the next few years will have a about as much room as anyone in the league right among the leaders -- But I don't think this deal made our team any more attractive what make your team attractive particularly winning. People don't buy a MBA teammate look at it saying they would it -- not factory open your home state -- You know they want excitement at some -- and you're better off winning by I don't agree with the argument that. Don't just put Mike in a better position to sell the team he is very candid about the expected it to right field did come along he would be. You have to look at a very close.

If you did have an owner. Forcing you to make trade for the bottom line to make -- look better you probably think -- so -- damn already dealt with Paul gassed and not. I gotta do that to get you want to answer that I'll move on let me ask you this I know. -- you're very familiar with the Lakers being in the same conference is familiar with the Celtics do you think these teams match up.

Well and I'd look at this series Michael you know just look at -- from. You know a clinical point of view. I would make the Lakers dislikes paper because obviously Kobe is the best player this year he's going to go out of all time great to negate. The Lakers quite frankly been all the more impressive in their run to the finals because stake -- fifteen games to -- in a lake in the Celtics late twenties. The Lakers have lost the home game yet they've had less wear and -- I think they're competition was stronger than what the Celtics based. Their Big Three probably has played a little better so for the playoffs in the Celtic victory. But all that's said stat is more than just about matchups and stats it's magic can tradition and I like the Celtics and set. I just don't see. Phil Jackson. Breaky reds' record gives itself to deal eventually break it against someone else or not we -- Not bad but he's not breaking it here at 2008 against the Boston Celtics.

Chris says right. As Eastern Conference basketball fans we have a perception. That the Eastern Conference plays defense harder more physical -- it's a different game in the east than it is in the west. Is that -- their real.

Well I -- think did that busted it to more physical team dale than anyone the Lakers have faced I love their defense. I think those are two big factors you know while I think to win this thing at seven. I also think you're the home court is huge in this series you know bought for the Celtics dropped one game but. We all know how magical the guard can be even knew what. When there's a big stakes on the line. And I liked the fact that the Big Three of valid Garnett pierce this -- chance for the likes -- and when you add up the odometer is on there you know that the the -- when those NBA odometer those guys have you just can't say well we're going to be there again in the future. That this is their time their place and I really think you're going to maximize.

Dining Chris Wallace once had a great line jumping to conclusions and Boston is an Olympic sport and a talking about the talk about the media coverage and like -- I was I was leading that charge I don't -- charge but I was in that front pack on the front lines. -- really a -- critical Didier I just didn't see away. Going the way he was going with all the young guys and see how he was going to have a championship anytime soon. Chris as a general manager in two places can you put into perspective. Just that the job the daily and was able to do this year in one offseason.

Well he did a fantastic job of the greatest 21 off seasons have been accomplished in the NBA -- what -- Danny was doing. No the fans -- our time binding until when you're when you're losing and I'll make the playoffs he was -- assets. You know we have Paul Pierce -- great players going to be hall of Famer one day trying to add to that it takes some time to take a look look at Kendrick Perkins trying to. -- Perk to be a big X factor this series I mean you know eat eat looking like it'll modern day left to talk sit there. -- people around rebounding but I know people compliment watched his development because sometimes slow with young players -- what we're doing. Purchased ever going to get it but they hung in there and he got it and he's played terrific right. Look at the drafting of Al Jefferson a few years ago the fifteenth pick if there's no Al Jefferson there's no Kevin Garnett today. You can't make that deal. So he was batting assets. And waiting for their big deal to come -- you know he's not the only had one this year with Minnesota -- second -- Seattle Ray Allen a lot. He was a well deserved winner of the NBA executive of the year trophy a question about.

Chris I was calling out all the -- historians earlier this week Bob Ryan and everybody else that are really wanted to help and a major help on this. I haven't been able to find that championship team. That was able to completely reinvent itself. In the previous offseason have in other words I -- championship teams that have acquire one player. To put them over the top do you think of any championship team that is. Acquired -- five or six significant players.

Now we'll -- very good question Michael in. Off to public I can't think of an answer -- You know deemed -- one player to say they've been hurt for a year and everybody got healthy. But I can't I can't think of any time in the NBA where you've had the influx of talent to Boston had a dramatic. Indies haven't overnight sensation like the Celtics have been this year is usually more.

This this league seems to be so driven by point guard play right now. Tell me what you think of ratio on Rondo is game.

While the big -- is still obviously you know we we drafted him a couple years ago -- draft they deal with Phoenix gave up some cash and had deal future pick and all of us were very very high on Rondo and I think he's -- dramatically year over the course of this season. When he's on in pushing the ball. And pushing the issue and getting involved offensively I think the Celtics are very surrogate sometimes because the as a young player. Some -- factors in. He goes through some ups and downs but you know I think he's going to be -- they beat top players mislead potential all -- shooting has come around this year. And he just hasn't physical give steal with very few point court Italy -- met someone that is has his long arms speaking as a mean his hands -- almost like Julius -- If you're used to meet the ball to grapefruit it is the it. Tremendous rebounder -- one of the best young up become a point towards in the league and I know some of the pundits -- You know he won't get to outplayed by Derek Fisher and Derek certainly is a proven veteran who could. Indicated those -- reporters in the clutch but I think -- those crucial very well on the series I will be surprised if he gets is watching it -- but like.

You know we can't in this conversation without some reference to West Virginia football what is wrong with you people suing your your football. -- place as you had never been before what is the problem.

Defeated the bill Stewart -- but I -- couldn't even better than rich Rodriguez there are high we are on an upswing Michael.

As Florida on an upswing you know and one of the most one of the graduates or one of the people who attended West Virginia. Guys have to be proud there's Jerry west with the West Virginia there's out of pac man Jones another -- that's.

I don't. Alexander does -- feel lottery pick up the didn't compete at a the -- to get your packed red Jersey on right.

I have a -- yesterday the what what would you be given miscreants back Kigali which we dumped our -- windier right but you know maybe he'll. You will rebound would Jerry Jones and the Cowboys now.

Chris it's always fun to talk basketball -- you guys.

It's a great the end out you know I just want to say hello to that total redhead out need to -- should be watching closely yeah see well and she's one of the reasons why the Celtics and magic is going to prevail. I think the guys right now like Francis O'Brien in the prank rattled out and equipment room -- the -- points and this is just a special franchises Reggie used to say he would be the Celtic as a way alight by myself still -- Celtics so. Celtics in seven I don't care about matchups stature any thing. The tradition prevails.

All right we heard from Chris Wallace Celtics -- haven't -- Chris always good document regular.

I dashed out simulator. And it's a Chris Wallace vice president of basketball operations and general manager for the Memphis Grizzlies former GM the Celtics