Ever since Jerry West has come to Memphis he has been making questionable moves. Has he lost his touch? I think so. The first major issue when West became the Vice President of Operations was coach Sidney Lowe. Lowe had been the head coach for several seasons and it was clear he needed to go. Everyone expected Dick Versace or Jerry West to fire Lowe, but they let him stay with the team for the start of the season. Five games and five loses into the season later I wondered why West still had Sidney Lowe on the team. Ten games and ten loses later I had to wonder the same thing until finally THIRTEEN games later, Jerry West fired Sidney Lowe as head coach. I think if I were the Grizzlie's Vice President of Basketball Operations I could have saved them at least half of those games by just firing Lowe sooner. The next thing that West had to take care of when he came to Memphis was the NBA Draft. The Memphis Grizzlies had the number four and number thirty-two picks in the draft. The number four pick was a lock before the Grizzlies even got it, although Caron Butler was heavily considered. So the Grizzlies drafted Drew Gooden even though Caron Butler would have been a better fit for them, and then the thirty-second pick rolled around. I remember sitting at the Pyramid for the Grizzlie's draft party while hearing the crowd chant, "Boozer, Boozer, Boozer" and then hearing the loudspeakers announce that Jerry West had taken Robert Archibald out of Illinois University. I was very stunned. The whole place went silent. People said not to judge West on the pick though until we saw Archibald play. Sitting here after the season is over I can honestly say that was one of the worst draft picks ever. The Grizzlies could have just picked up Archibald in Free Agency, but instead Jerry West felt compelled to draft him over Carlos Boozer who went on to become on of the top rookies in 2003. Robert Archibald was also signed to an awful two year contract. The off-season went on and the Grizzlies still had some open roster spots to fill. So after signing Earl Watson, Jerry West went overseas and brought back 7-3 prospect, Cezary Trybanski. Trybanski had all the makings to be great. He was 7-3 and 250 pounds, but he had no skills. Grizzlie fans soon found that out when he sat on the bench for the first thirty games without getting any minutes. Trybanski ended the season having played only fifteen games and averaging nine tenths of one point per game. People just dismissed this mistake that West made. What those people didn?t realize was that Jerry West signed Cezary Trybanski to a three year deal for over five million dollars. This deeply disturbed me. The season flew by and West only made a few minor changes, such as trading Drew Gooden and Gordan Giricek for Mike Miller, Ryan Humphrey, and the 27th pick in the NBA Draft. I can not comment on that trade because it?s results are yet to be seen. Soon enough the 2003 NBA Draft became the next task on West?s list. The Grizzlies had the thirteenth and twenty-seventh picks in the first round. West ended up trading for the sixteenth and twentieth overall picks. Then West drafted Dahntay Jones and Troy Bell. If West had kept his picks he could have drafted Reece Gaines and Maceij Lampe. Both would have helped the Grizzlies tremendously, but instead they are now left with two mediocre guards who could be picked in the second round. Not to mention the Grizzlies already had six guards crowding their lineup. I have to really question Jerry West?s credibility. He might have been a great basketball mind a decade ago, but I think he has lost his touch. I honestly think that that Grizzlies would be better off in General Manager, Billy Knight?s hands.
You said you didnt want to mention it but you guys got hosed in that drew gooden, and giricek for mike miller deal. I dont know if troy bell would have been around in the 2nd round, minnesota probably would have took him. Dahntay Jones would have been around though so I guess you can say jerry west made a good move there.
Whilst I agree some of the draft selections have been a little strange he has only been here for a year and has a lot of damage to undo. And whilst we are talking of drafts the previous management did trade away this years No.2 pick for Otis Thorpe I think. Melo or Milic would of made a big difference to your opinion of Mr West. In his positives whilst Gooden & Giriciek for Miller was a little lopsided Miller has a huge upside if he can remain injury free. And Gooden is better suited to the 4 and Pau is not going anywhere. And this trade has freed up roster space and led to the signing of defensive stopper Posey a much needed thing in the NBA to help stop the Allens, Kobe & T macs. Big Jake Tskalidis could be his best move if he can be developed his huge frame and huge potential could give Pau the help he needs and allow Swift (another bust of previous management) to backup the 4 & 5 and provide athleticism and shot blocking from the bench. But his real master stroke so far has been hiring Hubie Brown, who has started to get the potential out of J Will. And he still has some bench depth Wright, Swift, Battier, Person, Dickerson, and two rookies with some potential. So within a year he has had a positive influence on this team and has them heading Up not Down. Expecially when you look at their opening day lineup last season J will - at the time was a turnover machine (changed by Hubie & west) Person - A bomber who has no D (suited to the bench) Battier - solid but cant create own shot (suited bench) Gasol - Star Wright/Swift - Veteran out of position could play 5 off the bench or athlete better suited to 4. You tell me are they better this year??
That was an excellent post. You made some great points, uqlangel. His draft selections and free agent signings are the main reason I question him though. He should pass on the responsibility of drafting to someone else, because so far West has maintained no better than a C in that department.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting JAXON:</div><div class="quote_post">the suns trade.</div>I wrote this way before that trade happened.
