Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 28 – NBA Blog

Grizzlies waive Ryan Hollins

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has waived center Ryan Hollins.

Hollins (7-0, 240) averaged 1.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.00 blocks in 7.0 minutes in four games with Memphis since signing with the Grizzlies on Dec. 29. The 31-year-old has averaged 3.7 points on 58.1 percent shooting and 2.2 rebounds in 490 career games (67 starts) over a 10-year NBA career with the Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Pasadena, Calif. native was selected by Charlotte in the second round (50th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft following his senior season at UCLA.

Zach Randolph coming off bench for Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are a disappointing 19-17 this season, and in an effort to regroup changed their starting lineup a while back. Here’s the Oklahoman reporting the latest on veteran power forward Zach Randolph, who has played 31 games this season but only started in 20 of them:

Zach Randolph continues to come off bench for Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were throttled by 37 points in their last meeting against the Thunder. In that game, veteran Zach Randolph was a starter.

In 11 of the 14 games since that 125-88 blowout, however, the burly power forward has come off the bench for Memphis, as the Grizzlies have transitioned to a small ball lineup to start games. The Thunder’s small-ball efficiency in the two teams’ last matchup may have been a turning point for Memphis, as Matt Barnes has replaced Randolph as a starter at power forward.

“It’s not about you. If you feel a certain way and want to do something negative then you’re not professional,” Randolph told the Memphis Commercial Appeal about his role change. “I’m going to play and prove I can still do what I do.”

Since making the move to the bench, Randolph has shot 53 percent from the field in 25 minutes a game and is still finishing games. The Grizzlies, however, are only 5-6 in the latest string of non-starts for Randolph.

Grizzlies sign Ryan Hollins, waive Russ Smith

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has signed center Ryan Hollins and waived guard Russ Smith.

Hollins (7-0, 240) is a 10-year NBA veteran who has averaged 3.7 points on 58.1 percent shooting and 2.2 rebounds in 486 career games (67 starts) with the Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards. The Pasadena, Calif. native was selected by Charlotte in the second round (50th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft following his senior season at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The 31-year-old joined the Grizzlies during their 2015-16 training camp and averaged 5.4 points on 83.3 percent shooting and 3.0 rebounds in 11.5 minutes in seven preseason games. Most recently, he made five appearances (three starts) for Washington before he was waived on Dec. 23.

Smith (6-0, 165) holds NBA career averages of 2.0 points and 0.7 assists in 4.9 minutes in 27 games (zero starts) with the Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. The 24-year-old recorded 2.3 points in 4.9 minutes in 21 games for Memphis after he was acquired from New Orleans in a trade on Jan. 12. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (47th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft following his senior season at the University of Louisville.

Matt Barnes suspended over incident with Derek Fisher

Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes has been suspended for two games without pay for engaging in a physical altercation with and threatening New York Knicks’ Head Coach Derek Fisher, the NBA announced today. The altercation occurred on October 3, 2015 in Redondo Beach, CA. The NBA conducted its own investigation into the matter.

Barnes’ suspension will begin when the Grizzlies face the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at FedExForum.

On October 7, 2015 the New York Post reported: “Knicks coach Derek Fisher was attacked in Los Angeles by NBA bad boy Matt Barnes, who drove 95 miles to “beat the s—t out of him” when he found out Fisher was romancing his estranged wife, sources told The Post on Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 Barnes, who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, made a fast break from his team’s California training camp Saturday when he was tipped off that Fisher was making time with sultry “Basketball Wives LA” star Gloria Govan in the home Barnes once shared with her.”

Brandan Wright will have knee surgery

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Brandan Wright will undergo a surgical procedure on his right knee, the team announced today. The surgery will be performed by team physician Dr. Fred Azar and Dr. Barry Phillips tomorrow at the Campbell Clinic. There currently is no timetable for his return.

Wright (6-10, 210) has averaged 6.6 points on 60.0 percent shooting, 3.4 rebounds and 1.43 blocks in 17.1 minutes in seven games with the Grizzlies this season.

The eighth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft from the University of North Carolina, the 28-year-old owns NBA career averages of 7.1 points on 60.6 percent shooting, 3.7 rebounds and 1.02 blocks in 16.4 minutes in 367 games (54 starts) over eight seasons for Golden State, New Jersey, Dallas, Boston, Phoenix and Memphis.

Mario Chalmers plays on road in Miami Sunday

The Memphis Grizzlies visit the Miami Heat Sunday (6 p.m. ET), and the matchup brings Grizzlies backup guard Mario Chalmers (averaging a career-high 11.1 ppg this season) back to Miami and the arena he used to call home. Expect love for Chalmers from fans. As for players? Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting:

Chris Bosh plans to keep it simple.

“I’ll probably yell at him during the game for old-time’s sake,” he said.

Dwyane Wade also envisions a basic welcome.

“I’m taking him into the post,” he said. “He going to foul me.”

Both laughed, mostly because of the countless times that Mario Chalmers made them smile.

At a time when both teams are struggling to gain their footing, Sunday’s game between the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies at AmericanAirlines Arena will be about more than the moment.

It will be about the moments Chalmers helped create for the Heat, especially during that run to four consecutive NBA Finals and two NBA championships.

Grizzlies recall James Ennis from D-League

The Memphis Grizzlies have recalled James Ennis from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today. Ennis completed his first career D-League assignment after being assigned by the Grizzlies on Dec. 4.

In his NBA D-League debut, Ennis (6-7, 210) posted 32 points (9-of-12 FG, 3-of-5 3P, 11-of-13 FT) to go with six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 34 minutes in Iowa’s 116-93 road win over the Canton Charge on Dec. 5. Now in his second NBA season, the 25-year-old Ventura, Calif. native has logged 16 minutes through six appearances with the Grizzlies and Miami Heat.

Grizzlies assign James Ennis to D-League

The Memphis Grizzlies have assigned forward James Ennis to the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today.

Ennis (6-7, 210) has logged nine minutes in three appearances for the Grizzlies since he was traded by the Miami Heat with guard Mario Chalmers to Memphis for Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes on Nov. 10. Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round (50th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old holds NBA career averages of 4.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 15.7 minutes in 68 games (three starts) in two seasons for the Heat (2014-15 to 2015-16) and Grizzlies (2015-16).

The Ventura, Calif. native was named the 2013 Big West Player of the Year following his senior year at California State University, Long Beach and played his first professional season (2013-14) in Australia and Puerto Rico before joining the NBA.

Grizzlies trade Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes to Heat for Mario Chalmers and James Ennis

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have acquired guard Beno Udrih and forward Jarnell Stokes from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for guard Mario Chalmers and forward James Ennis.

“This is an tough day for myself and the organization in trading Mario Chalmers and James Ennis,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Mario was a part of two championships with us and Ennis is a solid young player, but it is part of the business and it was a move necessary to make because of our crowded backcourt. We feel that it is in the best interest of Mario and we want him to be successful and be a part of a good team. We wish them nothing but the best. We would also like to welcome Beno Udrih, an accomplished veteran and someone that has playoff and championship experience, and the addition of Jarnell Stokes, a young player that we would like to develop.”

Udrih, entering his 12th NBA season, has appeared in 756 career games (267 starts) and averaged 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 rebounds and 22.5 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from three-point range and 82.9 percent from the foul line. The Slovenian guard scored a season-high 13 points at Indiana on October 29 and has dished out a season-high six assists on two separate occasions this season. The two-time NBA champion has appeared in 53 postseason games and averaged 4.5 points, 1.2 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 11.3 minutes while shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 80.4 percent from the foul line.

Stokes, drafted by the Utah Jazz in the second round (35th overall) in the 2014 NBA Draft, has appeared in 21 career NBA games (two starts) and averaged 2.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 6.2 minutes while shooting 56.8 percent from the field. He appeared in 23 games (14 starts) with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League last season and averaged 15.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 32.0 minutes while shooting 61.7 percent from the field. Stokes appeared in 87 games while at Tennessee (84 starts) and averaged 13.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.08 blocks and 29.7 minutes while shooting 62.8 percent. He finished his collegiate career first in offensive rebounds, fourth in double-doubles, eighth in total rebounds and 14th in blocks on the school’s all-time list.

Chalmers has appeared in 525 career games with the HEAT (383 starts) and averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.51 steals and 27.8 minutes while shooting 42.2 percent from the field, 36 percent from three-point range and 77.6 percent from the foul line. He finished among Miami’s all-time leaders in steals (2nd), assists (3rd), games played (4th), three-point field goals made (4th), minutes played (6th), starts (6th), points (11th), free throw percentage (11th), double-figure scoring efforts (12th), field goals made (13th), free throws made (13th), rebounds (15th), field goal percentage (19th) and three-point field goal percentage (20th). Chalmers was the starting guard on two HEAT championship teams, appearing in 99 career postseason games (73 starts) and averaged 8.8 points, 3.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.19 steals and 29.1 minutes while shooting 42.9 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three-point range and 74.2 percent from the foul line.

Ennis, drafted by the HEAT in the second round (50th overall) in the 2013 NBA Draft, has appeared in 65 career games with the HEAT (three starts) and averaged 4.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 16.3 minutes while shooting 40.9 percent from the field, 32.6 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the foul line.

Report: Mario Chalmers to Grizzlies

Here’s the Miami Herald reporting on the Heat, who will soon send guard Mario Chalmers to Memphis:

The Miami Heat has agreed to trade veteran backup guard Mario Chalmers and 2013 second round pick James Ennis to the Memphis Grizzlies for 33-year-old backup guard Beno Udrih and 6-9, 263-pound backup power forward Jarnell Stokes.

The league has yet to confirm the trade first reported by Yahoo! Sports, but an independent source told the Miami Herald that the trade has been agreed to and the players are being informed.

The move would save the Heat, who have the fourth-highest payroll in the NBA at $93.3 million, about $2 million in roster space and help trim the luxury tax by roughly $6 million at the end of the year. Chalmers, 29, is making $4.3 million this season and Ennis is making $845K. Udrih is making $2.17 million and Stokes is making $980K.