FOX 13 TV appearance (The Video)

Fox 13 brought me on to talk about the Heisley interview. Lionel Hollins had been interviewed by them earlier in the day and had a clip of him taking me to task to start things off.  Everytime I put a clip of me on tv on this site it is always some frozen pic of me lookin stupid.  You notice that?  Can't catch a break.  Here it is...

Michael Heisley on the show (The Audio)

The owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, Michael Heisley, joined us on the show for the first time.  "An interview 10 years in the making."  I think it might have lived up to the hype.  If you missed it, here it is....

Michael Heisley on The Chris Vernon Show (8-23-10)

Lucero plays live on the show (The Audio)

Lucero lead singer Ben Nichols came in the studio on Thursday for the "Sound of Memphis" segment.  Ben played an acoustic guitar and Rick Steff was on accordian.   They played two songs, both of which are favorites of mine.  Lucero headlined the Rock 4 Love concert Saturday night at the Hi-Tone.

Lucero live on the show (8-19-10)

Sonny Vaccaro on Xavier, etc. (The Audio)

Sonny Vaccaro came on the show today and talked about the Xavier Henry situation, etc.  Sonny certainly described the situation differently than we had thought about it before in regards to why teams almost always give a player 120% of contract.

Sonny Vaccaro on The Chris Vernon Show (8-19-10)

Verno Productions Inc. (and how you can get involved)

I own The Chris Vernon Show.  Well, technically, Verno Productions Inc. owns the show.  It has been this way since the beginning of 2010.  A few weeks ago I explained the entire situation on the show.  If you missed it, here is what matters...

At the beginning of 2010 I took over total control of the show and started Verno Productions Inc.  This was only possible because of a tremendous group of advertisers that believed in the idea, and a legion of loyal listeners that support those sponsors.

This has been quite a year.  My wife gave birth to our first child, and I started a company.  So I was getting the company started at the same time that I was getting about 2-4 hours of sleep per night.  I was selling in the morning, doing the show in the afternoon, and trying to learn to be a father at night.

Things have turned out great, better than I could have imagined.
Sponsors of the show that signed up with Verno Productions included Jason's Deli, The Smile Center, Lexus of Memphis, Wiseman/Bray Law Firm, Lawrence Stewart CarStar, the Hi-Tone, etc.

I have always told people and potential advertisers that I don't have the biggest audience, but I do have the most loyal.  My audience supports the businesses that they hear on the show, and the sponsors see results.  The show works.

I have not reached out to add any advertisers to the show, until now.  I'm in a much better place to be able to add businesses to the show.  Baby Verno is now almost 7 months old (and I am getting better at the father stuff), I have gotten everything with the business right, etc.  I am looking to add a few more businesses to the show.  If you own a business, work at a business, blah blah blah, that you think could benefit from advertising on the show - here is the # to call- (901) 485-4352.  I will do everything in my power to make sure you have spent your money wisely.

Now, off to build an empire...

The show is now available on iTunes

The podcast of the show will be available on iTunes from now on.  The easiest way for me to tell you how to find it is to just tell you to search my name in the search box on iTunes and scroll down to Podcasts (it will be right there, listed).

I am not sure how many shows will be available at one time  (hopefully 10 or so) but you can just "subscribe" to the podcast and it will download every day and then you will have it even if link goes dead at some point.

Big thanks to Kevin Brumfield for his help with everything.  All it took was his brain...and my credit card.  haha.  Thanks for listening, and for subscribing to the podcast (which you are about to go do immediately).

Houston Nutt on the show (The Audio)

Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt joined us on the show on Tuesday to talk about bringing in Jeremiah Masoli, Raymond Cotton leaving, how Masoli will translate in SEC, players to watch out for, etc.  We also continue a tradition of Houston giving us a movie review.

Houston Nutt on The Chris Vernon Show (8-10-10)

Our trip to Baltimore (Day 1)

We headed to Baltimore to go to the  National Sports Collectors Convention.  Roser and I actually got into Baltimore on Thursday night, but we really did not do much.  We went to the convention to pick up our passes and saw some things for about 30 minutes, and then went to the Orioles/Angels game (great game by the way, park is fantastic).

Friday was the day we really got going.  We went to Washington DC for a quick trip in the morning and hustled around to see some of the sights.  We then made it back to Baltimore to hit the ground running on the convention.  This place is heaven for a sports fan... absolute heaven.  I had read an article Bill Simmons wrote about the event last year in Cleveland and it sold me on the fact that I had to check it out this year.  Anything you could ever imagine related to sports and sports memorabilia is here.  I took a ton of pics and here are some examples of things we saw...

When I think of Ted Williams, I think pilot.

I think it is fair to say that Ty Cobb got a heck of a deal from Readers Digest.

If you have the chance to take a pic with Babe Ruth, you do it.

Oh, the Braveheart collage with the Mel Gibson autograph.  Not a real popular item at the show.  May have to reduce price to move it. $450

How awesome is this pennant?  There cannot be that many of these in existence, right?  I am buying it tomorrow.  I think it was $45.

I used Friday to scout out the place and decide what I was gonna take a run at and blow my life savings on.  Still could not get out of there without buying stuff.  Here were the day 1 purchases- a Tom Herr signed photo where he is making ridiculous face ($6).  A Y.A. Tittle autographed famous photo and a Bob Lilly tackling Jim Brown autographed photo ($10 each).  A huge Pete Rose poster with an autograph and hit # (I don't even care about Pete Rose, but it was $29 and the pic is awesome).  A Dr. J bobblehead and a Kurt Warner bobblehead ($8 for both of them).  Not too much damage.  Tomorrow I have a list and do real damage.

Here are Roser first day purchases.  A Deion Sanders autographed Florida St. jersey, a Michael Jordan Birmingham Barons bobblehead, and the SI with Bo Jackson in a Memphis Chicks jersey.  Nice work for Roser on Day 1.

I will try to update again before we get home.  Hopefully we have money to get home after tomorrow.  You have to come to this convention at least once.  Totally amazing for a sports fan, it has exceeded all of our expectations.

Deuce McCallister in studio (The Audio)

Former Ole Miss Rebel and New Orleans Saint, Deuce McCallister, joined us in studio for about half of the show today and we talked about everything I could think to ask.  His college career, coaches, injuries, New Orleans, recruitment, the Super Bowl- anything I could think of.  We also took questions from callers.  He was absolutely fantastic on the radio, and a great guy.  The audio is broken down by segments below.

Deuce McCallister on The Chris Vernon Show part 1
Deuce McCallister on The Chris Vernon Show part 2
Deuce McCallister on The Chris Vernon Show part 3
Deuce McCallister on The Chris Vernon Show part 4
Deuce McCallister on The Chris Vernon Show part 5

R.I.P. Lorenzen.

Tony Allen on the show (The Audio)

Tony Allen (the newest Grizzly) completely surprised us by making his first appearance on the show and slaying the interview.  We had no idea what to expect, but were thrilled- cannot say enough about this first performance.  One of our favs of the year so far.  Bravo Tony.

Tony Allen on The Chris Vernon Show (7-23-10)

Chris Wallace on the show (The Audio)

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace was on for his weekly segment on Wednesday to talk about the OJ Mayo situation, the Xavier contract, etc.

Chris Wallace on The Chris Vernon Show (7-22-10)

Nick Saban on the show (The Audio)

Alabama coach Nick Saban joined the show on Wednesday afternoon at SEC Media Days.  We were one of the three shows he did on radio row.  We talked about his new movie, his personality, agents in college sports, his statue, etc.



Nick Saban on The Chris Vernon Show (7-22-10)

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace on the show (The Audio)

Wallace joined us from the summer league in Vegas to talk about OJ at point guard, why Xavier Henry is not playing in the league, etc.

Chris Wallace on The Chris Vernon Show (7-15-10)

Charlie Murphy on the show (The Audio)

Charlie Murphy from Chappelle's Show joined us on the show on Thursday.  He is performing at the Horseshoe on Saturday night.  Below is the uncensored audio of the interview.  I am warning you in advance that there are a few things that should be bleeped, but are not in this version.

Charlie Murphy on The Chris Vernon Show (7-8-10)

The Grizzlies Workouts (The Final Opinions)

Here is one final post about the players I have seen before the 2010 NBA Draft.  This is for the world to see and be able to reference forever.  I might regret this.  In fact, there is really no possible way that I will not regret this...

Let the record show that this year the guys that I saw workout for the Grizzlies were candidates for the 12th pick, the 25th pick, and the 28th pick.

I went back through previous NBA Drafts (starting in 2000) to find guys that were taken 12 or below that became All-Stars.  Here is what I found.  I am just using guys that have been drafted in the first round.
12 Guys drafted in the first round 12 or below since 2000 have been in at least 1 All-Star game

6- Seniors (Maglore,West, Howard, Nelson, Granger, Lee)
2- Juniors (Jefferson, Martin)
1- Sophomore (Rondo)
1- International (Parker)
1- Freshman (Randolph)
1- High Schooler (G. Wallace)

It is interesting to me that Seniors have by far the best trend of this group. I understand that there can be players that you would consider better than some of these that have not made all-star teams, but I drew the line at one appearance in the game.
I know what comes up next... what about the guys that were drafted in the second round that became all-stars?  I counted 5.
2 Juniors (Redd, Boozer)
1 Sophomore (Arenas)
2 International (Ginobili, Okur)


This makes me feel much better about my affection for Damion James.  I will ride with him and you can call me out on it forever.  I am more confident in James than I am in the other guys that I have seen at the workouts.  If you made me choose from the players that I saw, I'd take James.  I don't give a crap about "it is too high" to take a guy.  He is the guy I like the most (again, of the ones I have seen in person) and I couldn't care less about where some mock(ery) draft has him slotted.

What I found during the research was that if you get a really good, long-term rotation guy 12 or below in the draft- you have done well.  People don't always see it this way, but it is the truth.  The majority of guys drafted 12 and below never play a significant role on a team that does anything meaningful.

Here are the guys that I would bank on -  These are the guys you are allowed to call me out on forever.  I'm riding with...
Damion James
Patrick Patterson
Quincy Pondexter

Everybody is always looking for the guy that everybody passed on that turns out to be a fantastic player.  I did not get to see Eric Bledsoe (decline), Elliot Williams (decline), Avery Bradley (hurt)-  so if they end up being great, don't blame me.  Here are the guys (again, that I saw) that if they wind up being much better than projected, I might be a little surprised, but certainly not stunned.  Potential steals...
Lance Stephenson
Jordan Crawford
Devin Ebanks
Greivis Vasquez

Guys I do not think will live up to what people think they will be- going under assumption that people think they are gonna be better than a role guy (here is what I could regret)
Xavier Henry
Paul George
Luke Babbitt

My favorite guy I saw that will be drafted in the second round (or go undrafted)
Jerome Randle

The Grizzlies Workouts (Paul George and Damion James)

Paul George has gotten a ton of hype.  He is gonna be the steal of the draft!  He could be the best player in the draft!  He is the guy that is flying under the radar!  I have heard it all about Paul George, so I had to go see him in his workout with the Grizzlies on Tuesday.  Going into the workout I must say that I was again hoping to see the guy that the Grizzlies had to take at 12 if he is available.  I just don't think it is there with the kid, and to be honest, if it was he would be going top 5.  There is a possibility that I could have this kid pegged wrong but I cannot stand guys that "motor" is a problem with.  They disgust me.  I think you lose with guys like Paul George because when push comes to shove, they will cave.  I don't wanna worry about a guy giving max effort.  Everybody can wait for the light to come on, I'll pass.  I detest the fact that he was on a losing team (which should be virtually impossible in a crap conference if you are a lottery guy), and the fact that he was not first team all-conference in the WAC, get real.  I would bank on that potential everybody loves going unfulfilled.  I have no time for lazy.

Damion James is the other player I saw in a workout this week.  He is the anti-Paul George.  He competes.  Played in college for 4 years and was crazy productive, yet playing in college for a long time is held against him.  I love guys like James.  Tough, rugged, athletic, and he cares about winning.  He wants to win every drill, he wants to win every race, he cares.  It is amazing to me what a rare trait this has become.  Maybe the fact that these guys play 5 trillion games over the course of their careers by the time they get to this point dulls their competitive edge, so if you still have it then it really says something about you.  He also fits my elite HS player theory (they pan out waaaaay more often than not).  I would want this kid on my team.  He probably will not be a star, but you win in the NBA with guys like Damion James.  I get so tired of seeing all these guys that are too cool to give maximum effort and bust people in the mouth.  This kid is gonna be a good NBA player for a long time, and he is what I want my role guys to look like.  I am in on Damion James.

Josh Pastner on the Bluff City, the team, the draft, etc. (The Audio)

Josh Pastner on The Chris Vernon Show (6-21-10) part 1

Josh Pastner on The Chris Vernon Show (6-21-10) part 2

The Grizzlies Workouts (part 2)

The Grizzlies have had more workouts over the course of the last week and the only one that I missed through the whole process was the one that Larry Sanders from VCU was supposed to be at.  He cancelled, and so did I.  Here are some more thoughts on the players I have seen...

Jeremy Lin - from Harvard.  Smart (haha).  Not an option for the Grizz but surprised me with 2 dunks in the workout.  Probably Europe.

Sheron Collins- poor Sheron.  Earlier in the draft process I was talking to a player about Collins and asked him what he thought about him - here is the quote- "I've been knowin Sheron for a long time.  Sheron... Sheron got a weight problem."  The player was unfortunately a prophet.  I heard he got injured early in the process and ballooned, but it was still surprising to see in person.  He probably weighed 240 at the workout.  I don't know if he will get drafted.

Jeremy Wise- former standout for Southern Miss that played in the D League last year.  Seems to be good enough to be a really nice player in the D League, but I would be surprised if he is a rotation player in the NBA.

Jordan Crawford- I was a big fan of Crawford going into this workout and came out not as big a fan.  I wanted him to be great.  I wanted him to standout amongst the crowd.  I wanted him to be the clear best player on the court.  He was not.  This is not to say I still don't like him, because I do.  He is a scorer and he did not shoot well, which makes for a tough workout.  His first step and ability to get off the deck are really good.  Something that bothered me is that he always looked tired (part of that is bad posture).  It seemed like he was leaning over and grabbing his hips and shorts quite a bit.  If Crawford turned out to be a really good player that could score in bunches I would not be surprised, but he did not in the workout.  I wanted this kid to be the diamond in the rough, and I guess it is possible, but I would be scared to say that after seeing the workout.

Greivis Vasquez- I had made fun of Grizzlies front office people that would bring up liking Vasquez to me, but after seeing the kid in person, I won't anymore.  Vazquez can play.  He has one great trait - his court vision is elite and he constantly gets guys better shots.  He is not a good athlete, but he might be able to get by because he has some tricky moves that create space and is so good a getting the ball to guys and creating points for his team.  He can knock down shots if you back off of him.  I like him much more after seeing him in person.  Vasquez will get assists when he is in a game, there is just no way he will not be able to do that.  He has that one identifiable great trait.  In addition to that, he plays with a confidence and swagger that I like in guys.  I liked this kid.  Surprise workout for me.

Patrick Patterson- no player has been endorsed on the show like Patterson.  David Thorpe of ESPN.COM came on the show and said that Patterson would be perfect for the Grizzlies and is the player they should select if he is available.  Thorpe compared him to Udonis Haslem- which was interesting to me because people have this idea that they want a star with the 12th pick, but chances of that are slim at best.  So what about the guy that you know is going to be solid?  You know he is not gonna be a superstar, but you also know there is no way he will not be able to contribute and be in your rotation.  These are the things that intrigue me about Patterson.  Once upon a time I endorsed taking Joakim Noah with the 4th pick instead of Mike Conley, and I used the same reasoning.  I knew what Noah was gonna be.  There are times that you can play it safe and make the better pick, and there are times where you passed on a star because you played it safe.  In a draft that is incredibly difficult to predict who will end up being the steals, the safe route may be the best.  Patterson is a really good player.  He can really shoot in pick and pop situations, he can rebound, and he is willing to defend.  I liked Patterson.

Devin Ebanks- looks quite a bit like Ariza when you see him.  Ebanks has the requisite athleticism to be a fantastic player, but it seems to be what is going on between his ears that has him projected at the bottom of the first round.  He is really long, looks to be in good shape, can shoot pretty well.  Hard to judge on college performance because he played on one of the slowest teams in the country.  Ebanks was a great high school player and I get the sense that he could really be helped by the more open, up-and-down game in the NBA.  If he matures a little more mentally and physically, I could see him being really good.  He has the size, length, and athleticism.  I just don't know if he has the fire and desire.  Hard to bank on a guy that you are not sure is all there upstairs, but might be worth the risk.

Darrington Hobson- saw his name in the first round in some mocks at the beginning of the process.  I seriously didn't know he was one of the players at the workout until about halfway through.  I thought he was one of the fill-ins to even out the workout.  It would be unfair to peg the guy one way or another because I really was not paying much attention to him.  It will be my luck the guy turns out to be awesome (haha).  I will just plead ignorance.  I figure if he did anything that stood out in the least I would have noticed him before the workout was halfway done.

Terrico White- Memphis kid, played at Ole Miss.  Had about 20 family members at the workout to see him.  This was a tough one because he is 6'5" and I really wish Willie Warren would have been there (he was supposed to be) because it would have put another guard on the court at his workout.  At his height, he was the smallest guy on the court by a good margin.  He falls into the combo-guard discussion (does it not seem that is what everybody is this year?) but I am not sure you are gonna see him with the ball much.  He is an undersized scorer and is not totally unlike Lester Hudson, who was on the Grizzlies last year.  Again, he was playing with much bigger guys in these drills so it was tough to evaluate for me, but I think he may drop to the second round.  He was just ok.