Mismanagement of Funds Part II

I'm sorry, Atlanta. Just hours afters my last post, criticizing this franchise for mismanaging their funds by extending hefty contracts to both Al Horford and Joe Johnson during dire economic times for the NBA (due to the undecided collective bargaining agreement), Memphis just barely makes the November 1 deadline and is able to extend a 5-year, $40 million contract to underperforming guard, Mike Conley Jr. Whew! Memphis should be happy that they just barely made the deadline!

Wrong! Unbelievably wrong! Memphis has never really shuffled their roster correctly, and it seems like it's going to continue to head south, as long as Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace is in charge. Wallace defends his young point guard, stating that since the start of the season, he is attacking the paint more, finishing strong, and shooting the ball at an incredible rate. He's averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals per game. News flash, Mr. Wallace! The Grizzlies have only played three games! Players' averages are obviously extremely inflated or deflated during this early part of the NBA. If you're going to judge a player's value over the span of five years in three games, then you might as well do all that you can to pick up Raptors center Reggie Evans who is grabbing 16 rebounds per game over three games.

Conley has been a disappointment his whole career: never really meeting the potential that the Grizzlies had in their third overall draft pick from 2007. Based on this extension, I don't think Wallace has a grasp of the kind of uncertainty that surrounds the NBA after this season. Although the players don't want salary cuts in the collective bargaining agreements (that must come to some conclusion by July 1, 2011 or there won't be a 2011-2012 NBA season), NBA commissioner David Stern certainly does, and there is a extremely high chance that Stern will get what he wants. I mean, he is the boss. With this in mind, many general managers have been hesitant in extending new contracts to their 2007 draftees, even the top-notch performers, like Aaron Brooks of Houston (who is coming off winning the Most Improved Player Award), Jeff Green of Oklahoma City (who is projected to become an integral part of the Thunders' success), and Greg Oden of Portland (who, when healthy, could be considered the best center in the game today).

I certainly don't understand Wallace's move here. He's taking a risk on Conley. A chunk of their pool of money that could have gone to some of best 2007 draftees who are entering free agency next summer has gone to Conley, who after three games, looks like the best point guard in the game today. Three games out of a possible 82 games, that is.


- Leather Head