The Dotted Line

I finally figured out why Coach Greg Popovich is so complimentary to Marc Gasol. The young center becomes a free agent at the end of the season. San Antonio is or will soon be looking for a new big man. Tim Duncan is on the down side of his career. New life in the middle of Parker and Genobli will extend their run a while longer. Whichever team that signs Gasol will probably get the best years of his career

Marc did a pretty good job in the series against the Spurs but nothing spectacular. His performance if anything was consistent with his season this year. The most likely killer may have been the unexpected play of the rest of the team. Darrell Arthur,Sam Young and Rudy Vasquez were phenomenal. So why all the attention on the big man? I'm having flashbacks of his brother Pau. In my opinion he used the Grizzlies to get to the Lakers. Then he took his game to a different  level. I believe Marc also has a level we haven't seen. Don't be so sure his extension is a done deal. We haven't signed him yet. That might turn out to be more costly than expected. I'll hold my praises until his signature is on the dotted line.

Grizz Got It Done

Upset! Memphis Grizzlies topple No. 1 Spurs, 99-91

This Is It

I have come to the conclusion "Republicans aren't listening or looking at what is painfully clear". They are so intent on being right they don't consider the obvious. The posting of this document officially puts this "Birther"issue to rest. That's why I'm an Independent Conservative. I accept the things I cannot change.

I have always thought this was nothing more than a distraction. It has kept O'Bama's opponents spending their time and money aimlessly for the last three years. This has to be somewhat of a disappointment for them. This isn't the smoking gun they ex;pected. It also doubled as an extinguisher of sorts. It kept other rumors from gaining steam. Anyone who may have really doubted his citizenship and needed proof. This is it.

The Dressing

Early in the season some disgruntled fans undeservedly tagged Mike Conley "Slaw". I would imagine those people would appreciate some slaw right now to go on that "Crow" they're eating. If Tony Parker had to give him a nickname. He would call him "The Dressing".

Convicted Felon

 

Just like the Israelites in the bible, black people always want a king. The life John Ford lived led to his downfall. It amazes me how forgiving the people he sold out all those years are. They would vote him back in office if they could. I didn't want John Ford to die in jail, but I didn't want him to get off Scott free either. There is no question he was guilty.Just like his brother Edmund, they had him on film taking money.
The gray area was of exactly what? He may be comiing home early but he still did the time for his crime. He won't die or retire as an old politician but a convicted felon.

Yet Revealed

The Memphis Grizzlies won game 4 against the Spurs last night 104-86. Another player came off the bench and gave the team that added spark. Darrell Arthur was the secret weapon this time. Who would have ever expected him to turn out to be the impact player he has been lately. He was the 27th pick in the 2008 draft by New Orleans. After a rocky start and some legal troubles he eventually became a Grizzly.  Something about Coach Hollins and talent yet revealed.

Go Grizzlies

 

Memphis Grizzlies defeat #1 seeded San Antonio Spurs (91-88) in first playoff win at FedEx Forum in franchise history. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/apr/23/memphis-grizzlies-top-san-antonio-spurs-91-88-take/?partner=popular

Save The Mid-South Coliseum

This is probably the only place my thoughts on this subject will ever be objectively discussed. Venues I formerly considered to be fair and balanced have proven to be otherwise. Even though the intent  exist, the financial support might be lacking. The truth doesn't always turn a profit. Therefore agendas often take the forefront. I don't agree but I understand. I had to say that because that venue is largely what helps me arrive at some of my conclusions. For the most part you get the whole story. It's always good to know what the other side thinks, no matter which side you're on.

I think I finally got this whole thing figured out. Planned or not, the perception has dramatically changed. Some of those suburbanites who left the city realize what they left and want to come back. The land that used to be Libertyland and the  Fairgrounds is now considered prime real estate. The proximity to the Memphis International Airport, Chickasaw Gardens, Downtown, East Memphis and three of the city's major Universities  make it very attractive. Not to mention the two museums and the zoo.

The city government doesn't exist just to attend the needs of those with money. That's what at the root of this drive to demolish the coliseum. Why is Memphis paying $30 million for something Nashville did for 6 on an even older building? The hidden agenda is to build a huge gated community in the center of the city
at the city's expense. One might wonder how "Chickasaw Gardens" fits into this equation. You need only make a right instead of a left going east off Poplar Ave. to see what I mean. It is a perfect example of how an area can be exempt from everything around them. In a city known for it's crime. One occurrence in that area brought about tougher sentencing laws in the state of Tennesssee. Under the guise of 24 hr.security they have what amounts to their own police.

The coliseum is the last piece of  the old Memphis standing in the way. Once it is removed the average city residents has no interest in that area. Why didn't they use any of the federal funds earmarked for housing development to build affordable housing there?  Instead they demolish the recently renovated Cleaborn homes and remodel the also recently renovated Foote homes again. In the mean time we pay $120 to see R. Kelly at the Desoto Civic Center. Save the Mid-South Coliseum.

Tribute To A Trooper

Mr.Enthusiasm

 

It's unfortunate that Tony Allen has to share the spotlight with the signing of Josh Pastner's new contract extension. It has been on the front page of the Commercial Appeal all day. Tony Allen is Mr.Memphis basketball right now. The Tiger season is over already, but the Grizzlies are still very much alive. Let's get behind and support the Grizzlies and Mr. Enthusiasm

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/30/a-v-iewers-uide-to-g-t-ony-a-llen/

Ned McWherter (1931-2011)

The Real Deal

A picture is worth a thousand words and the above picture says it all. Unlike the Commecial Appeal and many of it's readers I don't have selective amnesia. I was a fan when Larry Finch was playing and Gene Bartow was coach. A lot of nights I watched him shoot the lights out at the Mid-South Coliseum as a player. Then I watched him compile the school's best record to date as a coach. How soon some Memphians forget.

I as a Finch supporter was offended when the media tried to paint a picture of a peaceful parting of ways between Coach Finch and Memphis State. Someone even tried to blame it on his health. Though he didn't have a stroke until years after he was fired. Luckily I was able to find an article more reflective of what really happened. Read the link below to get the real deal.

http://www.memphisflyer.com/backissues/issue565/cvr565.htm

Too Soon

I am one of those Memphians who don't think we got such a great deal with the new Josh Pastner contract. I'm not against the extension, just the huge raise. The university took a chance on him from the beginning. The University of Memphis was his first head coaching job. What will we offer him if he really does win something? Whar will we take away if he doesn't? Compare him to Shaka Smart at VCU. This young coach has matched the accomplishments of John Calipari snd Josh Pastner combined. Yet he hasn't earned a million dollars in spite of his proven record. Note his annual salary($325.000). I like Pastner but I think R.C. Johnson gave him too much too soon.

Shaka Smart From Wikipedia

Shaka Smart
Sport(s) Basketball
Current position
Title Head coach
Team VCU
Conference CAA
Annual salary $325,000[1]
Biographical details
Born April 8, 1977 (1977-04-08) (age 33)
Place of birth Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Playing career
1995–1999 Kenyon College
Position(s) Point guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1999–2001 California (PA) (assst.)
2001–2003 Dayton (dir. of basketball operations)
2003–2006 Akron (asst.)
2006–2008 Clemson (asst.)
2008–2009 Florida (asst.)
2009– VCU

Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Regional Championships – Final Four (2011)

Shaka Smart (born April 8, 1977) is an American college basketball coach, and the current head coach of the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams men's basketball program.[2] Before accepting the job at VCU, Smart served as an assistant coach for the Akron Zips, Clemson Tigers and Florida Gators men's basketball programs.

Larry Finch (1951-2011)

The Country

This is the last time I'm going to address why I think the University of Memphis basketbal program has never made it beyond an also ran. Larry Finch has died and been buried and they still didn't do right by him. He is like the old uncle locked away in the nursing home . They have him declared incompetent while they steal the family fortune. I don't know whether the University of Memphis fans know it or not , but they just got swindled again. The resumes of the assistant coaches run circles around that of the new head coach. .http://www.gotigersgo.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/pastner_josh00.html In a city where they want policemen to have college degrees. How did Josh Pastner get the top job in the city with no credentials? I'm not hatin on Josh Pastner, just pointing out the obvious.

Maybe we're going for the Jeff Van Gundy thing. No previous experience necessary. Substitute showing up for basketball practice and watchng game flms for actually being in charge of a team Since he comes highly recommended by other former coaches who haven't won a title. We'll put the whole ball of wax on him. What if he doesn't work out as planned? Then we;ll be forced to pay millions for his replacement or find another Larry Finch.. Which only happens once in a lifetime. Should we guarantee Pastner $8.5 million in order to find out if he'll even be marginally successful? Looking at his resume, I think we have the highest paid trainer in the country.