Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 55 – NBA Blog

Zach Randolph refuses to fall out of shape

“Me and Shawn Kemp are friends, but he signed a contract, went into a lockout and came back overweight,” Zach Randolph said. “I didn’t want to be like that.”

Randolph is indeed the Grizzlies’ poster child for the lockout. He returned as the franchise player, looking like a supermodel, so to speak, thanks in part to University of Memphis assistant Frank Matrisciano.

People call Matrisciano “Hell’s Trainer.” Matrisciano refers to himself as a life-changer. Count Randolph and everyone around him as true believers.

“There will be some players that come back now who won’t be in shape,” Randolph said. “You’re going to notice. So I was definitely motivated to not let myself go.”

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Grizzlies sign guard Jeremy Pargo to multi-year contract

The Memphis Grizzlies signed free agent Jeremy Pargo to a multi-year contract, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pargo, a 6-2, 219-pound guard, joins the Grizzlies after spending last season with Euroleague powerhouse Maccabi Tel-Aviv, where he was named to the 2011 All-Euroleague Second Team after recording 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists on .463 shooting in 30.0 minutes in 22 games.

Prior to his success with Maccabi, the 25-year-old helped guide Hapoel Gilboa Galil Elyon to the 2010 Israeli Basketball Super League Championship in his first season as a professional, averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

The younger brother of NBA player Jannero Pargo, the Chicago native was named the 2008 West Coast Conference (WCC) Player of the Year after posting 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists as a junior at Gonzaga University. Pargo finished his four-year collegiate career with the Bulldogs with averages of 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 134 games.

Undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft, Pargo has made summer league appearances in 2009 and 2010 with the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Bobcats and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Grizzlies sign second-round pick Josh Selby to multi-year deal

The Memphis Grizzlies signed 2011 second-round draft pick Josh Selby to a multi-year contract, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Selby, a 6-2, 183-pound guard, was selected 49th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2011 NBA Draft. As a true freshman last season with the Kansas Jayhawks, the 20-year-old averaged 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26 games, earning Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors twice. In his collegiate debut, Selby netted a career-high 21 points and converted the go-ahead three-pointer in Kansas’ 70-68 victory over USC on Dec. 18, 2010.

Ranked as the Rivals.com No. 1 overall high school recruit for 2010, the Baltimore native was named a McDonald’s All-American as a senior at Lake Clifton High School. Selby, who now joins fellow Jayhawks Darrell Arthur and Xavier Henry on the Grizzlies’ roster, scored 13 points in the All-American game and won the 2010 Powerade Jam Fest slam dunk contest as part of the event’s festivities.

Grizzlies add Bob Thornton and Lloyd Pierce to coaching staff

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that Bob Thornton and Lloyd Pierce will complete head coach Lionel Hollins’ staff as an assistant (Thornton) and player development coach (Pierce).

With almost 30 years of collegiate and professional basketball experience as a player, scout and coach, Thornton comes to Memphis after spending the past four seasons (2007-11) as an advance scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Along with his work with the Thunder, Thornton also served as an assistant coach for two NBA teams, first with the Chicago Bulls (2002-04) and most recently with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2005-07). Before his first stint with Bulls, Thornton spent one season (2001-02) as head coach for NBA Development League’s Huntsville Flight, along with one season as head coach of the Quad City Thunder of the Continental Basketball Association (2000-01).

As a player, Thornton played as a power forward for 11 professional seasons, eight in the NBA (1985-92, 1995-96) and three overseas, averaging 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 283 career NBA games with the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz and Washington Bullets.

The Los Angeles, Calif. native attended the University of California-Irvine (1981-84) where he played until graduation, earning his bachelor’s of science degree. Thornton was selected 87th overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the New York City Knicks.

Pierce, with over 15 years of and collegiate and professional basketball experience, joins the Grizzlies’ organization for third NBA coaching job after a year (2010-11) with the Golden State Warriors, where he served as an assistant coach under head coach Keith Smart.

Prior to his stint with the Warriors, Pierce worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers as a player development coordinator for three seasons (2007-10). The San Jose, Calif. native attended Santa Clara University (1994-98) where he helped lead the Broncos to two NCAA Tournament berths.

After graduating with a degree in business management, Pierce played four seasons internationally, making stops in Mexico, Australia and Germany before returning to Santa Clara University where he joined the team’s staff as an assistant coach under head coach Dick Davey (2003-07).

Miami Heat hope to land Shane Battier

Once NBA teams can speak with free agents beginning Monday, Miami Heat president Pat Riley has his franchise in strong position to sell Shane Battier on signing to play with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Battier has been a primary target in free agency for the Heat, and sources say the pitch of Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and key Heat players could ultimately confirm Battier’s strong feelings about chasing a championship in Miami.

Riley and Spoelstra see Battier as a strong defender with an ability to hit the open shots that’ll come his way playing with James, Wade and Chris Bosh. Battier has been a proven playoff performer, and possesses the professionalism and maturity to navigate within the harsh glare of the Heat’s existence.

Battier, 33, is still studying the marketplace, and how his personal scenario could change as different teams use the amnesty clause to create salary-cap space. Nevertheless, Miami currently stands as the most compelling option for him.

— Reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports

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Grizzlies hope to re-sign Marc Gasol

Memphis has already committed lucrative deals to Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph. Locking up Gasol, entering his fourth season, is considered the final move toward solidifying the team’s nucleus.

But there doesn’t seem to be any reason to fret about Gasol’s signing.

The Grizzlies can sign Gasol to a longer contract and pay him more money than any other team. Memphis also has the right to match any offer sheet Gasol signs with another team.

People with knowledge of Heisley’s thinking are convinced that the Grizzlies will match any offer sheet Gasol signs with another suitor. Memphis would have three days to match under the proposed collective bargaining agreement.

The Griz also will look to fill assistant coaching positions vacated by the departure of Johnny Davis and Damon Stoudamire, re-sign unrestricted free agent Shane Battier and negotiate a contract with rookie Josh Selby.

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Juan Carlos Navarro becomes all-time leading Euroleague scorer

F.C. Barcelona Regal superstar Juan Carlos Navarro on Thursday night became the all-time leading scorer since the Euroleague was founded in 2000! Navarro’s left-handed layup off a Chuck Eidson steal at 5:30 of the third quarter of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague game against Union Olimpija at Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona gave him the record of 2,716 career points, previously held by recently-retired Marcus Brown. And with plenty of time left in this game and the season, he will keep adding to the record every time he takes the court.

Navarro, 31, has played his entire 11-season Euroleague career with his hometown club, F.C. Barcelona. Already a legend of the game, “La Bomba” adds this record to an impressive career haul of achievements. He is a two-time Euroleague champion and was the 2008-09 Euroleague MVP and the 2010 Euroleague Final Four MVP. All told Navarro has played in five Euroleague Final Fours and been named to the All-Euroleague First Team a record five times.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

FC Barcelona Regal extends Juan Carlos Navarro through 2015

FC Barcelona Regal announced Monday that it has agreed to terms with star guard Juan Carlos Navarro on a contract extension through 2015. Navarro (1.91 meters, 31 years old) will appear with club president Sandro Rosell at a press conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss the signing. The extension comes days before Barcelona’s Turkish Airlines Euroleague Week 6 game against Union Olimpija, which Navarro enters needing just 14 points to become the competition’s career scoring leader. He has spent all but one season with his hometown club with whom he has won the Euroleague twice as well as six Spanish League titles, five Spanish King’s Cups and the 1999 Korac Cup. On an individual note, he was the 2008-09 Euroleague MVP, the 2010 Euroleague Final Four MVP and been named to the All-Euroleague First Team a record five times.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

Lester Hudson playing basketball in China

Lester Hudson hasn’t put on hold his dream of continuing to play in the NBA.

The Memphis native simply is no longer waiting for an end to the lockout…

Under Chinese Basketball Association rules, Hudson must play the full season without an opt-out clause should the NBA lockout end. The CBA’s regular season runs through the middle of February.

Hudson, 27, will play with Washington Wizards free agent Yi Jianlian and former Indiana Pacer Fred Jones. Phoenix Suns restricted free-agent guard Aaron Brooks has agreed to a one-year deal with Guangdong, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Hudson last played for Guangdong in January after he was waived by the Washington Wizards. The Boston Celtics originally selected Hudson with the 58th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

— Reported by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Tony Allen gave Ramen noodles to Halloween Trick-or-treaters

It’s tough for many NBA players to make ends meet — particularly with no game checks coming during the lockout.

That lack of incoming finances led to a drastic cutback at Memphis guard Tony Allen’s house during Halloween.

Instead of giving trick-or-treaters candy during a visit to his house, Allen provided them with beef and chicken Ramen noodles.

“Sorry kids it’s a lockout no candy!!,” Allen tweeted. ”Got a chicken and beef,::: Ramen noodles.”

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Allen made $3 million last year for the Grizzlies. During the course of his seven-season NBA career, he has pocketed $12,777,037

— Reported by Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News