"It's our job to put a team on the court that this city can be proud of and support." - Wallace
photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images
Live Chat Transcript - Chris Wallace
Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations, Chris Wallace, joined fans in a live chat on Tuesday, June 19. Below is a transcript of the event:
Moderator: Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today.
Wallace: Great to be here. Thanks for inviting me.
G. Smith: What enticed you about the Grizzlies' situation?
A number of things. It was the opportunity to be the lead executive of an NBA team. I’ve worked as an executive but not at this level. I'm certainly not trying to be a czar. This is definitely a collaborative process but to have this designation is important to me. I'm very excited to be able to work with Jerry West even if it’s just for a short time. I'm honored to work with him. I'll be one of the few in the league, if there are any others, who have worked with both Jerry West and Red Auerbach.
Also, I can't wait relocate my family to this city. It's a great basketball town and the people are very friendly. Now, it's our job to put a team on the court that this city can be proud of and support.
W. Thomas: Did you have any reservations about coming to a team that finished last season with the worst record in the league?
None whatsoever. The record is not indicative of the talent level or potential of this team. There's substantial talent on this roster. I’ve been very fond of Gasol since scouting for the Celtics. Mike Miller is a fantastic player.
I'm very impressed with the young talent and the athleticism of this team. Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry, Alexander Johnson and Tarence Kinsey are all great, young players.
I’m very confident that we can turn this team around really quickly.
M. Yarborough: How important was it for you to be on the same page philosophically with Marc Iavaroni before you took the job?
It's extremely important. Marc and I had some conversations over the last week but it’s been good to have face-to-face meetings this week. Marc is a great basketball mind and he brings a wealth of experience in this league. He has so much going for him. He's as equally enthused about this situation as I am. These are the jobs that we've worked our entire careers to get to. We're going to work tirelessly to bring a championship to this city.
I’m very confident that we can turn this team around really quickly.
A.Shiffman: In attracting free agents to a city like Memphis, what would be some of the things you would say and do to persuade a free agent to come here?
For starters, we're a team on the move. We're a talented team that's ready to take off. Next, FedExForum is an incredible facility. The Methodist Healthcare Practice facility is outstanding. FedExForum will be a draw to any free agent. Also, if a free agent will give Memphis a chance, they would love living here. I’ve enjoyed seeing the downtown area and the people are very friendly. I think there's an awful lot here that players will be interested in. I believe that we can sell the Grizzlies and the city of Memphis.
I’m very confident that we can turn this team around really quickly.
K. Zelnick: You said you want to be very involved in the community- do you think that's more important in a small market like Memphis than in a big market like Boston?
I think it's crucial to be involved in community programs in any market. We serve on behalf of the fans. If there are no fans, there's no professional basketball. We owe the fans a tremendous amount of support. One of the best things about working for a professional sports franchise is the opportunity to get involved in the community. My family and I are really looking forward to working with the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation in addition to getting to know the people in Memphis and the surrounding areas.
E.McLane: What is your strategy to blend what is a relatively young group (Gay, Lowry, draft pick, etc.) with the veterans we have now and/or may pick up in the future?
Well, I think you need both elements to win in the NBA. You need the experience and savvy that a veteran brings. You also need the young legs and exuberance that a young player brings. You need both. It's not really that difficult of a proposition to blend the young and the old. I've never seen it really be a problem at all. Marc Iavaroni and his staff are going to meld this into one team and not a disparate group of individuals. It's the only way to go.
Scheck: Hey Chris. Welcome to Memphis. But what we all really want to know is, what will the poor people at Bertuccis and Satos do at lunchtime without you around? Will you have to turn in your Sato's waiters' shirt? And if so, will there be a place in Memphis that will replace Sato's?
Well, the economy and restaurant trade in Boston is going to suffer. The back story is that I basically rotated between two restaurants near our facility in Boston. I will definitely miss them. But for someone with my vast experience as an eater will also find a special place in Memphis. There are so many quality restaurants here I don't think I’ll have a problem. There may be a moment of silence at Bertuccis and Satos for me. There will definitely be some sad waiters and staff. I'm going to visit both restaurants this weekend when I’m back in Boston.
Z.Law: Chris, Jerry talked a lot about the need for a superstar to be brought in at some point. Do you feel the same?
That's the accepted route—that an NBA team gets one great player. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Detroit won without one big star player. They won as a team of talented players. There wasn't one rainmaker in every clutch situation. The offensive responsibilities were distributed and they won with a major league defense. Finding that one player who is among the best one or two in the league is a fleeting proposition. Not having that doesn't mean that you can't have a winning team. You can overcome the impact of one great individual if you focus on developing a strong team.
M. Lawson: Chris, how active do you think we will be in free agency this year?
We're going to be very active. We're one of the few teams that have cap room for the upcoming season. We're already planning what I call the 'free agent draft'. Jerry, Marc and I have been very active in terms of player acquisition discussions. We're eager to move forward in the process on July 1.
B. Wilson: What do you think you bring to the table that set you apart from the other candidates for the job?
I can't speak specifically about other candidates. I'm sure they were outstanding but I bring a lot of experience to the team. I've been employed in the NBA since 1986. I've served in six franchises. I've worked with and under some very successful individuals in the NBA. I've worked with Bucky Buckwalter, Billy Cunningham, Louis Shaffell. the duo of Pat Riley and Randy Pfund, Jim O'Brien of the Pacers, Danny Ainge and I also learned a lot from Doc Rivers.
I've done everything that you need to do as a general manager. I have a great passion for the job. It’s not really a job as much as it is a labor of love for me. We'll turn over every stone that's out there to come back with the type of players that will improve this team and make us a contender in the NBA.
j.moore: What position or player do you think this team is missing the most?
We need a variety of players. We need more strength and physicality. We need to fortify the depth chart at the point guard. Some long range shooting talent would also be beneficial.
G.Lawrence: Hi Chris... welcome to Memphis. As an NBA GM how do you determine how you will acquire players to fills a teams needs? Do you already know which positions you will attempt to target in the Draft and which position(s) you will address via free agency?
First of all let's deal with the Draft. It's nice to be able to fill a need but that's not your primary objective. You want to focus on upgrading the talent of the team in the Draft. Whenever you forsake talent, you run the risk of damaging your team in terms of the depth of your roster. Trades are more need driven. You don't really see people take the best player out there in a trade like they do in the draft. One feeds off of the other.
F.Packard: Welcome to our team Chris! I have heard that sometimes teams make ridiculous trade offers... As a team official, is it common to get calls regularly from teams asking about the availability of a player?
We talk to each other on a regular basis. That's a key part of your job. That's how trades are made. It's also how you find out information about what is going on around the league. You are in constant contact with your peers throughout the league.
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