RealGM Basketball

Memphis Grizzlies Wiretap

Knee Slowing Swift

When asked about Stromile Swift's subpar performances of late, coach Mike Fratello insisted Swift isn't operating a full strength.

His right knee still is bothersome.

"He's had so many shots point blank that he's not converted," Fratello said. "His lift is not what it's going to be eventually."

Swift acknowledged the pain when pressed about his tentative play on offense and why he hasn't become the shot-blocking force the team expected.

"I can't explode," he said. "It's humbling. The MRI and X-rays have been negative. They don't see anything and just say it's a sprained MCL. All I know is its still bothering me."

Via Memphis Commercial Appeal


Heisley Says Gasol's Not Being Traded

Three-day-old conjecture that All-Star Pau Gasol is available for a trade compelled team owner Michael Heisley to issue a public service announcement to the rest of the NBA.

"There's no damn way that anybody is going to trade Pau Gasol," Heisley said, his voice booming through the telephone. "I'm telling you that ain't going to happen. That's out the window."

Heisley reacted Tuesday to growing speculation generated first by a New York report that said the Boston Celtics had inquired about Gasol.

"Here's a scoop," Heisley said. "I'm going to contact Cleveland to try and get LeBron James. So put in the paper that Cleveland's interested in getting rid of LeBron James.

"Why would we trade our franchise player? Just like why would the Lakers trade Kobe Bryant? Why would Cleveland trade LeBron James? That's not going to happen. We're not trading Pau."

Heisley said he's confident Gasol would remain a Grizzly for a long time, even with the team's pending sale.

Via Memphis Commercial Appeal


Owner Says Gasol Won't Be Traded

While Pau Gasol follows the trade rumors, Memphis owner Michael Heisley doesn't need to.

"There's no damn way that anybody is going to trade Pau Gasol," Heisley said, his voice booming through the telephone. "I'm telling you that ain't going to happen. That's out the window."

Heisley said that he expects Gasol to be part of the franchise regardless of who owns it.

"Here's a scoop," Heisley said. "I'm going to contact Cleveland to try and get LeBron James. So put in the paper that Cleveland's interested in getting rid of LeBron James.

"Why would we trade our franchise player? Just like why would the Lakers trade Kobe Bryant? Why would Cleveland trade LeBron James? That's not going to happen. We're not trading Pau."

Via Commercial Appeal


Grizzlies Nov 2006 Archive