Chris Wallace, Grizzlies GM/VP

Celtics back home tonight take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Joining us on the line is our old friend the general manager the grizzlies Chris Wallace sacred site on. -- score card Chris Long time -- talk. What open port city this morning at. You know we -- we are -- and this is several weeks ago on Michael made the point. Pretty good basketball team there.

Well I appreciate that we have a team that is much improved this year. We gotta be all stored that Korean ball that was the bet these in any player in history to release -- out that way. Got tremendous Frontline world with yen -- the small -- now rather. We expect Europe to promote Spain what really has improved dramatically since he's been an MBA Rudy paid for you called smart. -- when deputies. Small -- really the point on the board make difficult shot that is and better. He's ever had in BA and we got OJ -- I'll leave the back work then. Who got that thing what about when they're meant but that -- we -- that -- the oil -- threat to the year did -- predicts these.

You know huge history you just alluded to -- Chris and if I can give you one gift to your franchise one gift. How would take you out of the Western Conference and drop you right into the east because.

we are technically yeah yeah yeah. A high few hundred yards and a.

I would do it because it it seems like this season. It there should be here reward at the end of this season for your team -- they've they've surprise me -- so many so many stops and I have said several times. That there the second best story in basketball I think you'd be the Oklahoma or Oklahoma City Thunder. Are the best story for the young team average age probably 2324. Giving your guys -- second but is gonna take. Pretty much americorps forgot to make the playoffs occupant.

Well I wouldn't put it at the miracle level it yet I mean were -- between three -- game that out but being bored with. The question about -- eighteen games. But we can get on fire here in ministry the woman in those without. That all add up like what -- fault they may. All into your next few weeks but we're excited about what's -- opposite -- much work done Michael. And we just don't wanna keep playing competitive basketball in the media for being probably regret that he -- because that's how young he loans to grow. In in all the pressure being in the playoff right.

My only problem with you the entire season. And I got to get this from the horse's mouth. What where you guys think it was signing Allen Iverson it. If you if you invited me to those meetings and said hey Michael whipping by -- Allen Iverson back what is grand. No way don't do what Jessica with that.

Well -- obviously -- in animal or in one of the best org is treated game. He was out beer salary level we can live with which were not I get -- on. We -- pitching it on that Allen decided to. Believe. That I've -- while -- Philadelphia. In no we wish him the best now -- out of the game and read a lot about in the papers right now to opening up for.

We have a caller to the show who waved it at one point told us that the Celtics were gonna cut Rajon Rondo. And start the Lester Hudson era that's how big a Lester Hudson -- was what made your decision to bring him to Memphis.

Well it was pretty simple -- Lester was weighed all we have he would pick up. The balance of this contract for you know roughly about the last but the season. No wrapped it for all we picked him up he helped we had a big game the lakers in early February. Where I mean yeah on an apartment bench for. What he went body in Leicester in -- the bench and had thirteen points in at two point wins you're the man who would one -- now Lester contributions. Right now we have him out of -- indicate that it MB -- affiliate of the Dakota wizards. -- what equipment -- appoint board. Which is position you'll need the pastor Pete would have a long term career India where applicable Lester militants were up. Plate or great Albuquerque. It would look reported the what is it MB -- as.

Everyone says he's alleged. In Tennessee I know -- what you love stories of either playground legends are legends in the city -- into the state. Is that an overstatement about let.

Yet the very unique. Background that not many players. In this day and age for. Already got or -- young you on Michael become for the game and look at OJ -- he was and what will pretty spooky. -- Did not graduate I mean at a central high school. In the network which is a long golf shot from the FedEx -- what. He played church -- basketball. -- idle while Presbyterian Church. While working on GD. In -- junior college. So I -- how many yet you know and indicate that five years ago. We're trying to get Turkey be important church like that. It -- on big Monday here. At a big twelve Big East. -- college it's very unique story. He's the local -- row. What you -- spat or even quote should toward -- now in school. In doubt so we're really hope we make.

You must not tore up that church Lee and I. Yeah I would I would be disappointed you didn't have a game at church what -- approach to Wilt Chamberlain -- The the all podtrac. -- I mean I've been -- if you church league gave you a sub fifty foot court with the tile floor are yeah that's right they have been in. Doubt blurted no I never saw one.

After the game they have the -- sold sold to say let's get out. Put those troops up there what did you mention that you guys this is that a nice little step in your development. What is the next step for the for the Memphis Grizzlies what you have to do next.

Well we've got to continue to get internal probe from Oregon players it didn't take further steps up as part of what -- Michael. Got -- you'd better. At the week or position overall. It we're out such you'd be picked up some veterans. The helped pat -- development we have one better right now won't point at night we hope you get back next week we picked up on trade deadline -- And Ronnie -- From you saw what port we got her thirteen minutes and -- was initial game about. Well we're looking forward to see what one he can do the rest of the season and we have the possibility of resigning him an upbeat because you'll be restricted freeagent.

Does that make you feel really old it makes me feel old you mention Ronnie Brewer and the first thing I think of his. --

Iraq that never the triplets but Arkansas more than bill ought to -- when I was with the Celtics. What -- mean it worked out for a all in the attic up. And I am a -- equipment so RW and -- what should top. Like in the late seventy's remember what triplets of course now you have a son we're about -- opt for -- pick him yet so. I do. All continually now the in the young players come up the ranks. I remember watching -- late -- college.

Ice cores on and nobody think nobody thinks better player or -- or is dead. Or was there wasn't it get.

I -- audio that bill would want you right now all right. It's -- may have had a better record bloody brutal about it but I. But you know it is bad played important for little white platelet. Goodness what what a picnic about -- make -- six degrees of separation. In the NBA now like Ron Ron wrote senior it will work so well at all. Note on -- even -- it's amazing just how small -- circle basketball he would. He's in now will scenes so many players. Young -- computer game fathers were well players one.

I know back when when you and I first became acquainted you with that the best college basketball expert that I knew and you c'mon here and talk about guys who played. For schools I hadn't even heard of I know how excited you get about this time of the year every year just for the college game.

Well it yet we've got elections Sunday coming up on Sunday the on the question about that apple. Well they'll probably roll out the NCAA tournament field where in the conference tournament right now so. We had -- age yesterday from absence regard with the beat east. It all the conferences. Rolling out here in the next couple -- the copper from palm it not for the big twelve champions city on Friday. A -- I'd love mortgage. For the excitement of college hold these and ornaments in the one and done nature of the NCAA tournament. It even though the big time program which influences the Kentucky to steer users should dominate. It's great to see the little guys have virtually. Which they don't have a college football. The little guys -- get on the same court with a big guys -- not have to travel to to -- stadium in neutral court. And when you get situation. Anything can happen anybody lose they appeared in the.

On delegates are your theory on this your philosophy on on young teams and their inability to win big. In the NBA know we're in Boston we're trying to figure out of the Celtics are veteran team capable winning a championship or they're too old. When a championship but on the side. You look at teams that there I have mentioned Oklahoma City earlier -- got a fabulous player. And in Kevin Durant he's great there that don't really want have a that it that it is going to be an MVP but that came -- open championship because they're too -- young teens. No matter what their talent level like why don't they win championships.

Well Michael -- takes a -- now to. Add your knowledge. And experience. It up with your physical ability means you look at NBA over the years I'm hard pressed to think. Real young team are -- back when he operate by your wanting which.

I got what -- and -- Alaska young team to win one and -- about this the other day there may have been. The Celtics. The Celtics in in the in the eighties with with bird. In parish. In the key element when they were yeah I mean Burton won his first one he was let. When he for war there and came -- around 24 -- five well.

What what are the differences in the air the -- here or were part about the press. It's reputed ground on the indicate -- a player that level would become younger than he did that. All you've got younger players company and you got to teach -- the NBA assimilate them into what team. In view look at the Celtics. When they may raise your years ago when would be any change in ownership pulled the trigger and it brought -- Not only Kevin Garnett Ray Allen. Yeah and really brought back at how level better experience couple Paul Pierce they were able. And even though. When I was there we assemble the supreme -- the young talent. It yet was able win because it was too young needed those veterans the bill with Paul Pierce. Rate the level play and I just think it's almost impossible. 48 truly young team but you know bottom. Warner league expert who would chip chip Betemit he would have great except her record these and like Oklahoma City as. Showed tremendous improvement but it it bubble -- the call to. That play opt out where you gotta win game the rails.

And I think I think you may the best point to me before knows -- and about. Upsets in college basketball wise they happen more college basketball than they do in the pros and and the one thing you mentioned at that time was. Length of getting those extra -- admitted.

Yeah -- college games forty minutes of pro games we're -- college shot clocks 35. -- shot clock point. In our game is officiated differently. On it from an -- to import it or restricting. About a contacted the American embattled prime report. So you're you're become drivers LeBron James's Kobe Bryant's -- in player that ideal. They can live with the outline Indian BA. And have a great deal if according to when adding college in -- what you have more zones in college. For the NBA game the court is more spread out the big time athletes drivers have more room to operate. And you look at the great upsets in college basketball history Michael. Jim about an award that 1982. He arrogantly it duty three wood in these stayed over Houston. Bill -- Robert -- got an 85. I don't think those -- that were to occur. Under a pro set with an extra eight minutes. 442 shot clock -- audience sitting up that been very difficult pull up the beavers shot clock. So all role in future of the game -- attack what it means. Morsel and colleagues that I think he more upset it obviously would you have wanted in the NCAA tournament. Burke who got away and about to happen. That plate in that -- the underdog.

Hey Chris solace Fonda talk basketball with you thanks for taking a few minutes. My pleasure god is great to get together again in -- fourteen so we'll talk to Chris thanks Medicare they care Chris Wallace's the general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies.