Draft Party 1 day away...

Today we are live @ Buffalo Wild Wings (Hacks Cross location) and we will be giving away a huge trip to Vegas.

Tomorrow is the 2nd Annual Chris Vernon Show Draft Party
presented by Coors Light
Jasons Deli (Poplar/Highland)
Free Beer, Free Food
Show from 3-6 and then the draft on two projectors
we are going to be raising money ($5 donation requested)- for Grizzlies House @ St. Jude Hospital

Don't miss this event. You may see my head explode live in person.

Thanks to listener Tim D. for sending this in.

Listener contributions to the cause

listener Jordan wants to crank back up the Love Train

Roser's new song... Please don't draft Hasheem Thabeet

The Draft Party

Thanks to D. Sparks for the logo, and grizzfans.com for putting together a video
talented listeners for sure

Verno's Grizzlies Draft Notes

I got back in town last night, got up this morning, and went down to the Forum for the workouts. Here are some thoughts (warning!- this may cause weeping and gnashing of teeth)...

Sorry Rubio fans... Rubio has nobody in the organization pushing hard for him (no big fans), Thabeet certainly does. In fact, I was told that Heisley was in town yesterday and had his private jet take Hollins, Wallace, Johnny Davis, and Barone Sr. to LA to meet with Thabeet. So they were in LA yesterday meeting with Thabeet because he was going to cancel his workout this morning. I guess they just decided they were gonna go to him if he would not come here.
I have this terrible fear that the Grizzlies are about to draft slawdog millionaire himself on Thursday night. On the tail of Calkins column this morning in the CA, there were conversations to be had about Ricky Rubio. I got the impression that, for whatever reason, people involved in the decision making process have convinced themselves that Rubio is not gonna be a great player. Almost like they have convinced themselves of something to make it easier to not take him. Three weeks ago I had someone with the Grizzlies tell me that he would be an all-star one day, today I was told "he can't score." Same person said both things. Like I said, I think they have convinced themselves of something to make not taking him easier.
I am not sure that Rubio is gonna be great, but I would take him and trade him because I think that is the best way to improve the team. Because even if I don't think he will be great, someone else does.
Some of you will not like to hear this, but trust me when I tell you that I would be totally and completely shocked if Ricky Rubio is in a Grizzlies uniform next year. If I had to bet today, I would put my money on Thabeet being the pick. I need to go vomit now.
I think we need to start the "Trade Train" just so we don't get Thabeet.

This morning was supposed to be Thabeet, Jordan Hill, and Demar DeRozan. Thabeet cancelled the workout because of a "hurt shoulder."
Of course, there is nothing wrong with his shoulder. His agent was simply posturing in the hopes that Memphis will not take him. That is why, as I wrote above, they went to go talk to him yesterday.

I heard a lot of the "why would a guy not want to be the #2 pick in the draft, even if it is Memphis?"
This is a fair and legitimate question when it comes to the both Rubio and Thabeet, who are considered to be the second and third players taken in this draft. *Curry would not come in either. So at least 3 top players in the draft are trying to dissuade the Grizz from selecting them.
Why?
You and I both know there are plenty of reasons that this franchise has become an undesirable destination. No fans, no proper power structure, lack of endorsements, lack of winning, you can go on and on.
But what makes Memphis any worse than Minnesota, or Oklahoma City, or Sacramento? I believe that it is perceived (or real) lack of commitment to winning. I don't think those teams lose because they value the great bottom line over a great basketball product. The Gasol trade sent a massive signal to everyone in the league that the Grizzlies are more concerned with money than basketball. I tried to tell everybody this when it happened. They have done virtually nothing since to prove otherwise. The Grizzlies fielded the lowest payroll in the league last year, and it was much worse than it even appeared. Their "effective payroll" as I would call it was less than 40$ million. The rest was just contracts to be bought out. I would be surprised if any other team has ever bought out over a fourth of their payroll.

I never get the impression that people think that the Thunder, the Kings, or the Wolves don't care about winning. They may not make the best moves all the time, but they are trying to make moves to help them win. Intent counts. Why is a team making this move? The answer for the Grizzlies has been over and over again... to save money.

I don't think anyone in the league (agent, player, or observer) believes that the most important thing to the Memphis Grizzlies is building a great basketball team. So therein lies the problem... winning gets you paid.
Agents are concerned about the second contract because that is where the money is. Guys on winning teams get paid. They are on TV and they are in the playoffs, and the money comes.
Even the role guys get paid. The Gerald Wallaces, the Raja Bells, the Turiafs, the Arizas, and the Boris Diaws of the world. I could go on and on. Guys on winning teams stand to gain so much more than guys on losing teams. I am not saying that guys on losing teams can't get good deals. What I am saying is that guys on winning teams have a much. much better chance.
Just look at the case of Hakim Warrick and Dahntay Jones. Right now, who do you think is perceived as the more valuable player for a team? I am interested to see the contracts that those two guys get. Playing for a winner changes everything.

So to the question of why someone would try to keep their client from getting more money and being the #2 pick in the draft... it is much better in the long run to be in an organization where winning basketball games is at least a priority. The Grizzlies have not proven that it is here.

Hiatus

will be back to doing the show, bloggin, and tweetin on June 22nd.

Brandon Jennings: Rubio is all hype

Brandon Jennings put Rubio on blast. This is so great. I have talked about Jennings in the past on this blog, and in fact wrote "I get the sense he will win everyone over in the workouts before the draft." Well, he has. I don't know how anyone with a set of eyes could watch youtube videos of he and Rubio and not be more impressed with Jennings. (Jennings Youtube)
I see Jennings with his head above the rim, I see Rubio making moves on 35 yr old white guys with hair on their back when I watch videos. Now I get Jennings saying that the dude is bogus. Brandon Jennings is winning people over by the day and he is winning me over by the way he talks. This is hysterical (clearly Johnny Flynn thinks it is hilarious too). I love it.
You could take the guy who was the #1 high school player in the nation in his class almost every year and you would get an all-star. Jennings was the #1 player in his class. If he is not great, he will be the exception to the rule.

Brandon Jennings on Ricky Rubio: "I think the dude is all hype."

Mark this date down (The Draft Party)

June 25th is the NBA Draft, and that means that June 25th is the draft party. Last year was great, and this year will be even bigger and better.
We finalized the details today and I could not be more thrilled at how this all worked out.
There will still be free food and free drinks for all of our listeners. We secured Coors Light as a presenting sponsor today. We are also planning to have 2 projection screens this year.
The only difference is that this year we are going to be raising money for the Grizzlies House (where families can stay when they have children at St. Jude). $5 donation.

Details:

The 2nd Annual Chris Vernon Show NBA Draft Party
Jason's Deli (poplar/highland location)
June 25th (from 3pm-the draft ends)
presented by Coors Light

Grizz workout tomorrow mornin

will include Antonio Anderson (Memphis), Jack McClinton (Miami), Jermaine Taylor (UCF), and Terrance Roderick (UAB). Last workout this week I think. Next week will be the big time prospects-- all working out against chairs and brooms. wooohooo.

Help the show

People always ask me, Chris, how can I help the show? Actually, nobody has ever said that. But you can help if you are willing. The M Awards guys contacted me and told me that voting for the awards ends at the end of the week. It only takes a minute to vote. If you will take a moment and go vote for the show, we would appreciate it. This always helps us out, and we are going for a 3-peat.
If you are not going to vote for the show, but click on the link, your computer will get a virus that cannot be repaired and your house will explode. Also, vote for Herrington's blog (his is better than this one), and anyone else that is involved in the show.

The M Awards ballot

Grizzlies start workouts in morning

I am gonna try to catch some of the workouts and give my thoughts on the show. The Monday workout will include Josh Carter (Tex Am), Chris Johnson and Garrett Temple (LSU), Wes Matthews (Marquette), and Stephon Jackson (Utep).

Go check out a new Grizzlies website

www.grizzfans.com

really nice site by one of our listeners, Jenkz
you can tell a lot of work has been put into this

Humiliation, meet Chris Vernon

I am pretty sure I would rather die than do the Monday show. I hate the Fakers. I hate the Nuggets. I hate Roser. I hate myself. Anybody know how to lose 30 lbs in 24 hours?

Johnny Calipari (The Video)

Roser drops his new hit "Johnny Calipari"

"Johnny Calipari" as performed by Jon Roser on The Chris Vernon Show

Is RC Johnson embarrassed? (I would be)

Coach Cal uses Memphis to recruit a great class to Kentucky.

He gets Memphis to agree to releases for players that no other school allows.

He gets his "dream job" and a crazy salary while getting you to sit on major violation allegations.

Cal smoked RC like a strawberry swisha sweet.

Just say no to Thabeet

Thanks to Jenkz for the pic

Master P in studio (The Audio)

Master P was with us in studio on Thursday to talk about gold ceilings, his charity work in Memphis, athletes and blowing money, almost making the NBA, etc. He was great radio. Check it.

Master P on The Chris Vernon Show (5-21-09)

#2 Pick

Well, we fell just short of getting the number one pick, but now comes the fun. The trade possibilities with the second pick are absolutely endless. The 2 and Rudy for #1? The 2 for David Lee and the #8? I will have traded this pick three million times by the time the draft comes around. As one Grizzlies front office member told me...."We have the holy grail of flexibility." The number 2 is probably the best sports talk pick ever. Dig it.

NBA Draft Lottery Party on Tuesday night

We are doing the show live @ Buffalo Wild Wings (Poplar/ Highland location) on Tuesday. Get there early and secure your seat. We will be there from 3-6, then watching the lottery, and then the Fakers/Nuggets game 1 is on. The Grizzlies broadcast crew, dance team, and street team, will all be there giving stuff away- and I think they may have some big surprises in store if the Grizzlies get the #1 pick. Get there.

Sonny Vaccaro weekly segment (the audio)

Sonny was on the front page of the USA Today sports section this week. We talked about that article and his fight against the NCAA, etc.

Sonny Vaccaro on The Chris Vernon Show (5-15-09)

Also, the show is on Twitter as of last weekend...

www.twitter.com/chrisvernonshow

Roser's new song (Why Grizzlies?)

The worldwide debut of Roser's new song happened today on the show. If you missed it...

"Why Grizzlies?" by Jon Roser

Bill Russell on the show (The Audio)

Bill Russell was on the show today. This was one of the great thrills I have had in radio. The man is one of the real legends in the sports world. It started slow, but when it got going the interview turned into one of my favorites. If you missed it, here it is...

Bill Russell on The Chris Vernon Show (5-13-09)

RC Johnson dodges the biggest bullet ever

Just imagine if Tim Floyd would have taken the Memphis job. Yahoo! is dropping bombs lately.
Source: Floyd gave cash to Mayo handler

Bill Russell on the show on Wednesday.

This is big. Bill Russell will be on the show tomorrow. 5 time MVP, 11 time champion, HOFer.

Darryl Strawberry, Selena Roberts on show today

Strawberry will be talking about his life story at 4:25. Selena Roberts on her A-ROD book at 5:25. Check it.

The Chris Vernon Show is on Twitter

This will be a first. I have never been on Myspace, or Facebook, or anything that connects me to anyone else (except for this blog). I am going to put the show on Twitter though. I read a few articles about it this weekend, and I hear about it on every single sporting event I watch now, so I figured we should get with the times. It seems like a fairly easy way to connect to the listeners that like the show.
We will update the page with the guests that we have scheduled, ticket giveaways, news we hear about (I will try to break a story on this thing), Vinnie Verno picks, and totally hysterical and indispensable commentary. I would hope that if you like the show, you will like the Twitter page. I read where John Mayer has like a million followers, our goal is 10 (not million, just 10).

www.twitter.com/ChrisVernonShow

Sonny Vaccaro was shot out of a cannon

Sonny Vaccaro joined us on the show on Friday for his regular spot at 5 pm and he was in rare form. Sonny was mentioned in the LA Times article earlier this week about the recruiting of Renardo Sidney, and then called one of the "Five guys you meet in recruiting hell" by Pat Forde in an article on the situation. I led with this. Oh dear. What follows is Sonny going off on the media, Pat Forde, and the situation. Sonny also said he would be in the news next week. Could it be that John Wall is going to Europe? I had to delay him on the air, on the audio here there is no delay. Sonny was rollin. Check it.

Sonny Vaccaro on The Chris Vernon Show (5-8-09)

Witness

Tony Mandarich, Jayson Stark on Friday show

We are on an author run on the show lately. Selena Roberts will join us on Monday to talk about her new Arod book. Monica Seles joined us to talk about her new book this past Monday, and if you missed it you can check the podcast if you wish. On Friday, there are two more authors that are going to join us. Tony Mandarich has a book about his life, addictions, and recovery that has come out in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the day he was drafted. Jayson Stark has a new one the chronicles the Phillies championship run last year. Both will be on the Friday show.

Eddie House wins post-game comment of postseason so far

The Parlor Mob

Last week on the show I talked about a Memphis band called The Dirty Streets. They are a young band in town that is generating a lot of buzz from people that regularly go to shows. They were described to me as "imagine kids that had not listened to music in the past 30 years." They are playing at the Hi Tone on Monday night and I decided that I have to see these guys. Anyway, I was looking at the flyer and noticed that they were playing with some other bands. One of the bands was called "The Parlor Mob" and I went to look them up and see what they were like. Unreal. That is what they were like. How have I never heard of this band before? So long story long, I was planning to go check out the show anyway just to see The Dirty Streets, but I am pretty convinced that I will also be checking out my new favorite band and having my face melted in the process. Check this

Called my shot... Bert will get the business on Friday

Bring on Floyd Jr. Manny P. is a beast. Where was Smokey from Friday when you need him?

Friday Show (Sugar, Denunzio, Vacarro)

Bert Sugar will join us at 3:45 live from Vegas for Pacquio/Hatton fight.
Jimmy Denunzio (World's Greatest Handicapper) will join us live from Kentucky to break down the Derby.
Sonny Vacarro will be in his usual spot at 5:05.

Glynn Cyprien, Craig Brewer (The Audio)

New Memphis Tigers bball assistant Glynn Cyprien appeared on the show today to talk about getting the job, recruiting, etc. (Segment 3)

Memphis film director Craig Brewer joined us in studio in the last hour of the show to talk about the premiere of his new project Five $ Cover on MTV. (Segments 7,8,9)

Both interviews are available in the splashcast player at http://www.730foxsports.com/ (bottom right corner). The show is broken into segments so you can scroll to any of them. Check it.

Craig Brewer in studio Thursday

Craig (Director of Hustle and Flow, Black Snake Moan) will be in studio in the last hour of the show on Thursday. The new Craig Brewer project, Five Dollar Cover, will premiere at the Paradiso on Thursday night and premiere on MTV Friday night. You can check out the Five Dollar Cover website HERE.

Chris Wallace on blast, Sonny Vaccaro now a regular

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace has been a weekly guest on the show since he got the job with the team. Unfortunately, Mr. Wallace has decided to make some questionable decisions regarding his treatment of me and Roser. He has failed to defend us when given the chance, and then committed the egregious crime of defaming us in our own studio when on with Geoff and Gary. You mess with the bulls, you get the horns. We go for the jugular. Therefore, when Wallace came to the studio on Wednesday, we had our response ready. Now he knows. You can here the entire segment (his reaction and response) by checking the podcast at http://www.730foxsports.com/. Here is the song if you missed it...

Hey Roser! (Chris Wallace on blast)

Also, on another programming note, Sonny Vacarro (coming of his brilliant performance on the show on Friday) has agreed to be a Chris Vernon Show regular and will be on at 5 oclock every Friday. I am absolutely thrilled about this. The guy is tremendous radio every single time. Should be fun.

Sonny was certainly in the news today. NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE

Grizzlies Media Game Video

So the Grizzlies put up the video of the media game and just sent me the link. Of course, my trash talk is featured prominently and was spectacular as always. I did my best to play along, and how am I rewarded? With them showing two clips of Verno the Great from the entire game... one is of one of the two shots I missed the entire game, and one is of a chase down foul at the end of the game. So let me get this right... I dominate everyone, lead the game in scoring, back up all my talk, and this is my reward? Depriving the public of my greatness? I guess I will just have to put out my own mixtape of my performance. Grizzlies.com --- Where injustice happens.

Here is the video.

Willis Wilson, John Parker Wilson on the show

Two Wilson's were on the show.
New Memphis Tigers Basketball Assistant Coach Willis Wilson called from the office and was on at 5 oclock.
Former Alabama QB John Parker Wilson is getting ready for the NFL Draft and was on the show in the 4 oclock hour.
Jeff Goodman was on for his weekly spot in the last segment of the first hour.
The audio is available @ www.730foxsports.com. Scroll to the bottom of the page and the shows are podcasted everyday.

Sonny Vaccaro, Andy Dolich on show (The Audio)

Sonny came on the show and was as fantastic as he always is. We are working on him being on the show every Friday. He talked about the Brandon Jennings and the results of him playing in Europe,(as well as how good Jennings is compared to the likes of Ricky Rubio), the John Wall situation (with him telling us where he thinks Wall will be last year), and draft prospects. He was sensational. It was one of my favorite interviews of the year.

Sonny Vaccaro on The Chris Vernon Show (4-17-09)

A man who used to be a regular on the show, Andy Dolich, was back in town for the weekend. Andy was the President of Business Ops for the Grizzlies for the first 7 years here, and is now the C.O.O. of the San Francisco 49ers. He joined us in studio, where he talked about the position the Grizzlies are in and was extremely honest about everything, including what he would do if he were still here. He also outlines the mistakes that were made with the team. It was very interesting to hear his view on things as a former big-wig with the team.

Andy Dolich on The Chris Vernon Show (4-17-09)

Sonny Vaccaro scheduled for show today

Sonny was recently featured on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel in a story about Brandon Jennings. Sonny brokered the deal that sent Jennings (the number 1 high school player in the nation) to Europe this past year. Sonny was also interviewed by Parrish about the John Wall situation. Sonny will join us on the show today, and we will talk about these stories, as well as the upcoming draft class. Jennnings intrigues me tremendously because the guy did not have a great season in Europe, but I sense he will win over everybody in the workouts before the draft. Check out this video of the kid in high school. All highlight videos look good, but this falls in the "holy crap" category.

Cardinal batting stances (Batting Stance Guy)

Batting Stance Guy is one of my favorites. Willie McGee slays me everytime.

Cardinals start killing Cubs on Thursday

This guy cannot remember the Cubs winning a World Series..

Mavs Jason Terry on Coach Josh Pastner...

“All the former U of A guys, he would get 800 thumbs up from us. I’ve talked to A.J. Bramlett, Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson and Luke Walton about this and they all know what Josh has meant to that program all these years,” Terry told GoAZCats.com last week before the school hired Xavier’s Sean Miller. “Abdul Gaddy would have stayed if Josh or Lute Olson was on the staff last year. As far as recruiting, Josh Pastner is your guy, he’s the one who is going to make it happen, and he has so many connections across the south, throughout the whole west coast, and all across the country. He should be our coach.”

Nice endorsement.

Tigers Coach Josh Pastner (The Audio)

Coach Pastner came on the show today after being named the new head coach at Memphis. We talked about everything I could think of. The audio is below if you missed it. Also, the entire show is always available in full form at http://www.730foxsports.com/.

Tigers Head Coach Josh Pastner on The Chris Vernon Show (4-7-09)

and the best email of the day went to Conway's little brother. He sent me the following...

From the NCAA Dictionary

Point Leonard (point leh-nerd) - n. The point at which an AD on a coaching search, running out of options, suddenly realizes, "Oh my God, we're actually thinking about hiring Leonard Hamilton!!"; at which point, he throws his hands up, and promotes the assistant coach.

"R. C. Johnson arrived at Point Leonard on Monday."

New Tiger Coach Josh Pastner on the show

Tigers coach Josh Pastner will be on the show today in the second segment of the 4 oclock hour. Check it.

Hired

Thanks to listener David for the poster

It's a new day...Hire

It is over: Bruce Pearl staying in Knoxville

Pretty depressing. Fun idea while it lasted. Here is the story...
PEARL STAYING A VOL

Oh dear... now the story is that not only did he not turn a deal down, but he was never talked to? Please, please let this not be true. I think I am going to be throwing up for the rest of the night.

Memphis film director Craig Brewer on Cal

Craig (director of Hustle and Flow, Blake Snake Moan) called me this morning to tell me that he has a web channel on youtube and that he has a new video up about Coach Cal leaving. He also told me that 5 Dollar Cover (show for MTV) will be starting at the beginning of April. It is gonna be huge for the Memphis music scene. Craig is puttting new videos up on the site all the time.
He will be coming in studio soon. Anyway, here is a link to Craig's channel...
My Brewtube

Listener David created the above and sent it to me today.

Appearance on the Dan Patrick Show

I was on with Dan for the second time this week (Thanks Dan, thanks Paulie!) talking about the Cal situation. If you want to check it out...

Segment on The Dan Patrick Show 4-1-09

I think it will be pretty easy to find both segments in their podcast player.

You hire Bruce Pearl

If you want to make the perfect hire in Memphis, you hire Bruce Pearl. You hire Cal's nemesis, you pay him a ton of money, and you establish what Memphis basketball is by stealing away the UT coach. What a feather in the Memphis cap that would be. It would be an incredible way to deal with this crap that has gone done with Cal leaving. Get on board, get the news out-- throw 3 million at Bruce Pearl and get him here. Absolute home run hire. He would come here at the right price, I promise you.

Hire

Update: Crap, he is staying at Missouri. Parrish has the story on his blog.

I wish we had something to talk about today...

By the time I go on the air today Coach Cal will probably be riding on a horse all the way to Lexington. Tune in at 3:00. Actually I think I am gonna be on at 1 pm now and we will be local all day.

Dan Wetzel on the show today

Dan Wetzel (along with Adrian Wojnarowski) from Yahoo! have broken a story today that has dominated headlines. Here is the article about how UConn violated NCAA rules. Wetzel will be on the show in the first hour. Gary Parrish will be on for his regular segment in hour 2, and Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace will be in studio in hour 3.

Get out of the way!!!!

This is just insane. It is like the kid said to himself, "I am gonna get on a Blake Griffin poster if it is the last thing I do!" This is one of the most egregious crimes I have ever seen. The kid runs as hard as he can to get dunked on. Then, to make matters worse, Grifffin stands there like a gladiator. I am gonna have a post later on the draft, because as this tournament goes on I am less and less interested in the "highly rated" players (though, of course I love Griffin) on the mocks, and more interested in the guys that are not considered to be the top 5 picks. Until then...

Go get in the 730 Fox Sports Bracket Challenge

www.730foxsports.com

I will be in it. The whole 730 Fox Sports staff will be in it. Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace will be in it. If you are not involved, you are a loser. The contest is free. Go fill out a bracket if you are not a loser. And then prepare to get smoked like a Philly blunt by Vernodamus.

Sunday at Dan McGuinness (Poplar and Perkins)

We are going to be at Dan McGuinness (right off Poplar and Perkins, on Spottswood) on Sunday. We will be there from 4-6 pm in conjunction with selection Sunday. Put it in your planner. Sunday, Dan McGuinness, 4-6. Get there.

Now here is a surprise...

The Grizzlies player accused of sexual assault is Marco Jaric. Jaric was recently married to Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima. Chris Mannix from SI has the story
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/chris_mannix/03/13/assault/index.html

Update: Jaric has been cleared of all accusations. All false.

The CVERNON.COM Video Blog --- TWolves 104 Grizz 79 --- Wost. Loss. Ever.

Show delayed Thursday, Video Blog comin...

The show will be on a little later than normal. We will come on after the Miss. St/ Georgia game, which is on the station.

Also, as soon as I can get it up I will unveil the new video blog. The first episode was filmed at the conclusion of the Grizzlies/ TWolves game (so you can imagine what it is about). Keep checking back for the debut of video coming to cvernon.com.

Offensive balance is for suckers (some facts)

FACT: Lionel Hollins has coached 19 games for the Grizzlies

FACT: The Grizzlies are 5-14 in those games

FACT: When O.J. Mayo leads the team in FG's attempted, they are 4-4 (Hollins era)

FACT: When anyone else leads the team in FG's attempted, they are 1-10 (Hollins era)

FACT: That one win was when Conley did not play and Rudy Gay had a season-high in pts.

FACT: Good teams get the ball in the hands of their best player, and the Grizzlies are actually respectable under Hollins when they do too

FACT: This research is not real pretty. Therefore, these statistics, or any that put into question the coaching acumen of Coach Hollins, will not be allowed in the Commercial Appeal (per policy)

Grizzlies worst NBA organization, 3rd worst in all sports

Biz Journals did a story ranking the best and worst fanchises in the 4 major sports. The Grizzlies rank 120th out of 122, and 30th out of 30 in the NBA. Depressing.

http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/76.html

Vindication is mine (if only for a night)

Muahahahahahahaha! You knew I was going to be insufferable, right?
I preach the gospel, while others teach false doctrine.

I said a little prayer tonight before the Clippers game that Lionel Hollins would have a "road to Damascus" moment and he would realize the folly of his ways. Well, that moment came when Mike Conley chipped a tooth in the first two minutes of the game. Sometimes the light has to be forced on you (like when Jaric thankfully got some early fouls). O.J. Mayo dominating the ball... what a concept! The spacing was infinitely better, Rudy has his best game of the season, and Gasol is able to move and function without being under duress... truly amazing. Two big scorers and a good post player, with some role guys to do the dirty work and hit the occasional open shot. What a concept! Hollins had his hand forced but now everyone has seen the truth. 30 assists, most points all year, hahahahahahaha.
I questioned if I know more basketball than the people that get paid a lot of money to do what they do. I will never question myself again. Vindication is mine.

p.s.- This wasn't about playing the Clippers without two starters, this was about how the team looked and how they played. It was exactly how they should do it. It was actually promising.
This team has lost to bad teams that were hobbled all season. They drilled this one. Can a chipped tooth keep a player out all year? Please?

p.s.s- nice try Hollins- Greg Buckner bringing the ball up so you can act like it needs to be PG by committee with Conley out? That was laughable. Pride is a dangerous thing. This is your chance to be an NBA coach for real, and you will blow it completely if you attach yourself to Conley.

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace segment, remotes

Today when Wallace was on the show we asked him about why it seems that he and Lionel Hollins have different views of Mayo's capabilities to be a PG in the NBA. Mehdi took Wallace to task, and we took your calls. The podcast is available at www.730foxsports.com. The whole show is loaded everyday right after the show ends. Check it if you missed it.

I am live @ Buffalo Wild Wings both Thursday and Friday and we are giving away tickets both days to the entire CUSA tourney.
Thursday-- Olive Branch location
Friday-- Southaven location

Show is live @ Ubees Wednesday

Come by Ubee's on the Highland Strip Wednesday. We will be doing the show there from 3-6, and then the Tigers play Houston tomorrow night. There will be food and drink specials and the whole event will probably be life changing for you.

NBA Draft '09 -- Jeff Teague: Give me that guy

Every time I have watched Jeff Teague from Wake Forest play this year I have loved him. This is not a great draft but I keep trying to find guys that I can get excited about. The idea of having Teague next to Mayo is something I like more and more every time I watch the guy. Tonight was senior night at Maryland, and they have one senior. One senior that will never be the same. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Total Nonsense

"You always like a point guard with size. The more size you have the versatility you have," Hollins said, emphatically adding that the Griz need Jaric to perform because playing rookie guard O. J. Mayo at point guard is not an option.
"O. J. is an off guard. He can push the ball in transition, but he is not a point guard," Hollins said. "I don't want to start that by any stretch. We have two point guards on the team, Mike Conley and Marko Jaric."

Why didn't Hollins just say "Even though we have the worst point guard combo in the NBA, we will not try something that might help us win. I know we just lost to the Thunder without Kevin Durant, and we have lost 7 in a row, but I am turning Mike Conley into Mike Bibby. Even if we are 5-22 when Mike plays more than 30 minutes in a game, and even though his stats are better lately but we are worse, Conley is our point guard and we will not try something else. We are going to keep Conley as the guy that dominates the ball, and we are going to continue to be horrid, end of story."

I really wanted to puke when I read the passage at the top of this post that was in the Commercial Appeal this morning. If you listen to the Chris Wallace segment on the show then you know that the coach and the GM clearly have different views of Mayo. That is the first problem with these quotes.

The second problem is that now that as this season goes in the tank, it has become evident that Hollins is bound and determined to make Mike Conley something he is not (a legitimate starting point guard that runs an offense).

I have been preaching the same thing since the season began. Now I have done it with two different coaches. MAKE OJ MAYO THE GUY. I don't care if you want to make him the point guard (even though he should be), but the offense should run through him.

Why is the concept of getting the ball in the hands of your best player so hard for this team to understand? Mayo is what you have got. Conley opens up nothing because no defense respects him. Every time he shoots the closest defender is like 40 yds away.

The Grizzlies now have somehow had two coaches in a row that just don't get it. What a waste.

BWW Hacks Cross location today

We are giving away another pair of tickets to the entire CUSA tourney today. The show will be live from Buffalo Wild Wings (Hacks Cross location). Get there.

The Buffalo Wild Wings tour begins

Today we start the BWW tour. We will be doing the show at the Buffalo Wild Wings at Wolfchase. We are having a pop-a-shot tournament where you can win a pair of tickets to every CUSA tournament game played at the forum. Bring a partner, come out, and post your score. Pop-a-shot tournament, today, win tickets to entire CUSA tourney, Buffalo Wild Wings Wolfchase, today.

At least there is humor in Grizzlies land...

I was just surfing around the internet and clicked on Grizzlies.com. Somebody over there has the greatest sense of humor ever (I hope this is supposed to be funny). I am going to copy and paste this so you can see what it says in case it gets changed...
(this is directly from the front page)

Despite a stellar effort from Hakim Warrick (13 points) and Darrell Arthur (12 points) the Grizzlies could not hold off the Cavaliers in a 94-79 loss on the road Tuesday night. The Grizzlies will travel to Indiana on Wednesday to face the Pacers.

Holy. Crap.

Update: It has been changed now. Boooo. At least it was funny before. Now it says "Despite strong efforts..." Hakim Warrick hit a three at the buzzer and had 1 friggin rebound. The headline should read- "Despite no effort..."

Bring the funny headlines back Grizzlies.com. Don't let this crappy little blog change your headlines. You have a regular Don Rickles working over there. Do not muzzle this person! Let us at least laugh through this.

Shane Battier NYT article (and the cvernon.com time capsule)

Michael Lewis ain't telling me nothing homeboy. Sometimes it is interesting, or indicting in some cases, to go back and read the things that I have written in the past. On January 16th, 2007, I wrote a blog post entitled "Losing Shane Battier." You can read it HERE. Several people have sent me the new article in the New York Times written by Michael Lewis, knowing I would appreciate it. I thought the article was great, but he is preaching to the choir with me. Here is the Times article on Battier... The No-Stats All-Star.

Coveting DeJuan Blair (vindication is mine)

At the beginning of the college basketball season, I dubbed DeJaun Blair the guy that I loved that was not high on the draft boards. I had to take some grief over this. All of the usual things... undersized, tweener, blah blah. Here is what is proven... the guy has over a 7 ft wingspan, and is an absolute beast. The nation just watched him kill Thabeet (almost literally). He almost ripped his entire arm out of his socket. He just dropped 22 pts, to go along with 23 boards at UCONN. We have to find a way to get this guy in a Grizzlies uniform.
Here are the guys on the "3 Guys I would like to see in a Grizzlies uniform that are not ranked highly (Top 15) on mocks" The list will change and expand as the season continues. First list...
1. DeJuan Blair
2. Jonny Flynn
3. Jodie Meeks

The trade deadline (The Final Countdown)

The deadline is set for Thursday at 2 p.m. CST, and this is the only inspiration we need. Pure genius.

A Single Roser 2 (the stunning ending)

If you missed the finale of A Single Roser 2, it is now loaded, along with the rest of the show, in the podcast. Go to www.730foxsports.com. Today was the final interview with the girls, and listeners were allowed to ask questions that they felt we failed to ask. The way it ended will never be forgotten.

Why you do what it takes to get Amare Stoudemire (the novel)

I am still holding out hope that the Grizzlies can provide the best deal for the Suns to get Amare. If the Grizzlies are not making the deal because of the players that they would have to give up, that is totally insane. You can find a Mike Conley or Hakim Warrick anywhere. In the landscape of the NBA they are totally ordinary. Don't tell me about increased production. If you get minutes in the league, you get production.

By my count, there are 101 players in the NBA that avg. 30 or more minutes per game. Quick trivia-- How many of those don't avg. double-digits in scoring?
The answer............. 3. 3 freaking players-- Jason Kidd, Mike Miller, and Shane Battier (2 former Grizzlies). Anybody in the NBA that gets minutes will produce, some much more than others. And they really can produce if they are on bad teams.

Rudy Gay, who I like, is a guy that might make an All-Star team once. He is a great talent that does not have the moxie to be a truly great player. Think Rashard Lewis.
So, I know that I can find Warrick and Conley anywhere (hell, Chalmers and Sessions are both second round picks and they have shown much more promise as future PG's), and Rudy is the big piece I lose? Where do I sign?

The Grizzlies do have a "core." His name is O.J. Mayo. The team needs to be built with how it will compliment this tremendous talent. You trade for Amare, put him at the 4. Now you have a perimeter star and a post star. In a few years you have two of the top 10-15 players in the league, and you pair them with guys that will play a role. Every great team has role guys. You can have talented players and no role guys (like the Clippers have), and you can have a terrible team. Conley is not the best fit to compliment Mayo at the point, and Rudy is not the best to compliment Mayo at the 3 spot. Your 3 spot is going to be a grinder that can guard multiple positions and hit a corner three. You have your 5 guy in Gasol, he can play that role. Now for my PG I have to find a bigger guard that can stretch the floor to put alongside OJ. This is easy.

The hardest thing to attain in the NBA is a real star. Role guys are the easiest thing to get. The Grizzlies have a golden opportunity to get a star, and if they pass up this chance it will be another horrific decision. These chances don't come around that often. Amare Stoudemire is a machine that nobody (including Duncan in the playoffs) can stop when he is really motivated, and puts up 21 and 9 when he isn't playing his best. The Grizzlies would be total idiots to not do everything, including getting rid of pieces of the crappy "core" that will never go anywhere together, to get Stoudemire.

Bow with me as we pray.

Quick update for earlier post

Ramon Sessions tonight against the Pacers... 15 pts, 17 assists, 7 rebounds. Go read the article below for context, if needed.

Chris Wallace invites your thoughts on Stoudemire...

The show today featured Seth Davis, A Single Roser 2, and Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace. I get the sense that the Grizzlies have a legit shot at attaining Amare Stoudemire. Why would Wallace invite people to get worked up in a frenzy by calling in and telling them what they want if he knew there was no chance it could happen?
Maybe he would do it because at least people are interested in something Grizzly related, but I get the sense that the possibility of getting Amare is real (considering the multiple reports, and knowing what the Suns want in return). Anyway, if you missed the Wallace segment, or anything else for that matter, you can go to http://www.730foxsports.com/ and go to the bottom of the page for the podcast of the show (which is broken up into labeled segments).

Have the CA and Marc Gasol heard about Ramon Sessions?

Remember the two articles in the Commercial Appeal a few weeks ago saying not to trade Mike Conley? When the Grizzlies were talking to the Bucks about trading for Ramon Sessions and Joe Alexander?

Remember how Marc Gasol said the deal did not make any sense? He was right, he was just on the wrong side of things. Let us take a look at Ramon Sessions the last four games, just for fun...

26 pts, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals vs. Houston
44 pts, 12 assists, 5 rebounds vs. Detroit
19 pts, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 4 steals vs. Nets
20 pts, 7 assists, 4 rebounds vs. Hawks

That is just embarrasing. The CA and Marc Gasol never said why the deal didn't make any sense (unless you consider he is gonna be Tony Parker, blah, blah, blah, as a reason), and never even mentioned why Ramon Sessions would not be worth trading for. Maybe I can read 1000 more times about how much better Mike Conley is playing and then I will forget how the CA said (twice, in two columns by two different writers) not to trade him for a guy that is going totally bananas.

Update: this is incredible, there is another Conley article today. Ha! Surprisingly, no mention of who the paper said not to trade him for.

85-80 Grizzlies win

Sorry to those of you who count on me for financial advice. I said the Grizzlies would win tonight 84-80 and that the under was the way for you to make millions. While the under did hit (of course), I wanted to be perfect and was off by a point. I am sorry for my error.

What to offer for Amare Stoudemire...

Amare Stoudemire is on the trading block and the Grizzlies are one of the teams talking to the Suns about a possible deal. Chad Ford had speculated in a column that the Grizzlies might be one of the teams interested, and Chris Herrington reported that the Grizz are in fact one of the teams talking to the Suns about a deal. Herrington has a freakin War and Peace on the possibilities that you can read HERE.

If I was Chris Wallace I would tell the Suns that they can choose anything they want except O.J. Mayo. You are looking at attaining a bona fide perennial all-star who has proven that he is even better in the postseason. I love Rudy Gay, but I still don't know if he will ever be an all-star. He could be one day, but I would not bet on it. Mayo is the only guy the Grizz have that I believe will be an all-star, and competing at the highest level in the NBA is about having great players.
I will be the guy with my fingers crossed, hoping against hope that a miracle happens and that Amare Stoudemire plays regularly in the FedEx Forum. Give the Suns anything they want, except Ovinton.

Most. Depressing. Photo. Ever.

Roser dances on a pole, but that is not the problem. Where are the girls? Is Roser really dancing on a pole in a room full of dudes? What should I do about this?

Here we go Cardinals, Here we go!

I swear, when the fake Cowboys get dropped by the Cardinals, Katie bar the door. If they don't, I may not show up to work on Monday. Come on Arizona, I need this.

Phillip Rivers and George Foreman on the show

Phillip Rivers returned to the show today to talk about the playoffs, losing to the Steelers, Jay Cutler, Norv Turner, and who will win the Super Bowl.

George Foreman was on the show to talk about his new product he is pitching, his life now, and his career. Both interviews were in the 5 oclock hour of the show today.

Also, yesterday Clyde Drexler was on and he was great. All of these interviews are available in the podcast of the shows at www.730foxsports.com at the bottom, in the splashcast player. All of the segments are labeled so you can choose whatever you want to hear again, or whatever you missed.

Rudy Gay getting ready for the dunk contest (video)

Rudy got together with the Sklar brothers to try to decide what he should do in the dunk contest...

Filling in with Parrish

I will be filling in again with Gary Parrish on the Geoff and Gary show while Geoff Calkins is in Tampa covering the Super Bowl. So check out the show at 11. Gary and I are scheduled to be joined by Marisa Miller (Maxim's hottest woman in the world) in the last segment of the 11 oclock hour. You may remember that Miller is now a Tennessee fan (covered in this post from last year).

The truth about the Lionel Hollins hire

I thought hiring Lionel was the wrong decision, but I hope the guy becomes the NBA coach of the year and is fantastic. Some have killed the hire, and some have defended, or even praised the hire. I like the guy, like to see him getting his chance, and believe he could turn out to be good.

But here is the truth...
-Nobody in the media, including those that love Hollins and Heisley, would have put Lionel in a top 5 list of guys they think the Grizzlies should hire when they fire Iavaroni. Nobody. They can defend the hire now, but everyone knows his name would not have been mentioned if someone called into a show and asked who the Grizzlies should hire. Maybe all the fans and media would have been wrong to not include him (time will tell), but his name would never have been mentioned. So nobody would have mentioned him a week ago, yet now it is a good hire?

-Nobody with a brain believes that Lionel was hired because the Grizzlies think he was the best man for the job. Again, he might turn out to be the best man for the job- but nobody thinks that is the reason they are hiring him. This is my real concern.

- What is done is done, and I hope the guy is great. Primarily because I think he is a good guy and I like to see good things happen to good people. But nobody can deny that he would not have been on any media or fan top 5 as to who the team should hire, and nobody can deny that he was not hired because the team believes that he is the best man for the job.

The Lionel Hollins era begins tonight. Let's hope he's a great hire, even if I don't agree with it.

Memphis Business Quarterly feature on the show

I did an interview that is featured in Memphis Business Quarterly for their issue that comes out this month. They wanted to ask me about everything that goes along with my job, and specifically the sales angle of the show. If you ever wanted to know how my deal at the station is structured, and how it all works, then check it out. Thanks to Greg Akers (who wrote the article). If you want to pick the magazine up at the store, it is the newest issue and has investor Robert Compton on the cover.

The Chris Vernon Show in Memphis Business Quarterly (Winter '09 issue)

Lionel Hollins presser, Heisley speaks

The Grizzlies held their press conference today to announce Lionel Hollins as the head coach. The press conference had some decent moments, but the real fun was after the event was over. Michael Heisley held court with a small group of us, and fielded any question we wanted to throw at him. As far as I know, I have the only audio of the exchange (which lasted over 20 minutes), and I will play it on the show tomorrow. Their is a ton of really good stuff to sift through in the audio.

Grizzlies coaching situation, Mic Check channel

I am in Knoxville getting ready for the Memphis/Tennessee game and I have not been able to put anything up about the Ivy firing/ Hollins hiring, but if you want to check out the show from yesterday--- go to www.730foxsports.com and scroll to the bottom. The entire show is loaded in the splashcast player (including Kevin James coming on the show). The show was primarily about the Grizzlies coaching situation and the Tigers/ Vols game.

Also, I wanted to mention that the guys at ABC 24/ CW 30 have set up a channel for the TV bit, Mic Check with Chris Vernon. You can check out the most current bit, and scroll through ones from the past. Here is the link...
MIC CHECK Channel.

Clyde Drexler, Kevin James, Knoxville

All-time NBA great Clyde Drexler will be on the show Thursday in the first hour.

Kevin James (star of #1 movie in America, Paul Blart: Mall Cop) will be on the show on Friday.

The Memphis/ Tennessee game is this weekend.
Friday we will be doing the show live in Knoxville at Rays ESG, a great sports bar in town. If you are going to be in Knoxville the day before the game, come check us out at this place. Parrish will be out there with me.

If you are here to try to find audio of something that was on the show (the Chris Wallace bit, etc.) you can find the show broken into segments each day after the show is over.
The Chris Vernon Show podcast can be found at the bottom of www.730foxsports.com

"The Dribbler" has his defenders (and I predicted all of this)

There are times when I really think I might be a prophet. At the beginning of November, I wrote an article entitled "What is Mike Conley Jr?". You can find it HERE.
Now today I read an article in the CA about how "The Dribbler" being awful is the Grizzlies fault. Surprise, surprise. Like I said in November, with guys like Conley it is never really their fault if they dissapoint. cvernon.com= predicting the future since 2005.

The show now has a podcast

If you missed any of the show and want to check it out, the show is now always available at http://www.730foxsports.com/. Scroll to the bottom of the page where the splashcast player is and you can surf around from there (to whatever segment you missed or want to check out). Our show, and the Geoff and Gary show are loaded each day. Check it.

Miss St. coach Dan Mullen, Romo, Denunzio (The Audio)

Monday we were joined by the new HC at Miss. St. and we tried to get to know him. We talked to him about his road to becoming the coach of the Bullies, what he looks for in QB's, Urban Meyer, etc. He was good, I thought he was an interesting guy.

Dan Mullen on the show (monday)

Bill Romanowski joined us for his weekly bit and we talked about him trying to get the Broncos job, the playoffs, etc. Romo was in rare form when we got to talking about the Cardinals and the other playoff games.

Romo on the show (monday)

Also, here is the Jimmy Denunzio bit from Friday where he picked the playoff games if you missed it...

Jimmy Denunzio from Friday

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace (The Audio)

Wallace was in the studio today for the weekly segment, where he broke the news that the Grizzlies had traded for Shaun Livingston only to waive him. He explained the logic behind that deal, the Steve Francis deal, and the Darius Miles deal. We also took some of your calls. If you missed it, or want to hear it again, it is loaded at the link below...

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace on The Chris Vernon Show 1-7-09

Also, I mentioned on the show today that Chris Herrington was going to post an article about what is wrong with Rudy Gay. This is the best analysis of a Grizzlies subject done this season by anyone in the media. Check it out if you get a chance...
http://cmimemphis.com/grizblog/ (scroll to the post: What's wrong with Rudy?) Herrington will in studio tomorrow for his regular slot at 5.

Grizzlies interested in Joe Alexander?

I got a call earlier today saying that the Grizzlies could be making a trade for Joe Alexander. I have not been able to confirm that the team is going to be making this move, but it is an interesting idea. Alexander was the #8 pick in the draft and is lodged behind Richard Jefferson, Charlie Bell, Luc M Bawhatever, etc. He is cheap, has a chance to perform better than his contract, has a lot of talent, and could be used as a wing player for the Grizz. Stay tuned. I liked Alexander a lot in college, have not seen him in a NBA uni.

Geoff and Gary Show comes back tomorrow

The Geoff and Gary Show (with Geoff Calkins and Gary Parrish) is back on 730 Fox Sports and will be on for the first time tomorrow (Monday) starting at 11am. The show will be on from 11a-1p, Monday through Friday. As I have stated before, I am thrilled that they are back.
2009 begins for our show at 3.