<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The last time Marc Iavaroni worked the sidelines of an NBA summer-league game was about three years ago when he still aspired to be a head coach. It would be typical for Iavaroni to delegate summer-league duties to an assistant now that he is in control of his own team. NBA head coaches seldom coach summer games. They usually sit in the bleachers, observe and evaluate. But nothing about the infancy of Iavaroni's stint as Grizzlies head coach appears passive. In fact, Iavaroni's shown a proactive approach from Day One. So it should come as little surprise that Iavaroni will coach the Griz when they begin play today at the Las Vegas Summer League. Iavaroni's first act as Griz coach was to fly to Spain and meet with franchise player Pau Gasol. He obviously believes in head starts. "Everyone felt like I should have my presence and my voice out there to get the players used to it," Iavaroni said. "It made sense. The competition will take care of itself. Most important is that they feel comfortable with my direction and my voice, and that I feel comfortable with giving them creative license to play their game and play within the system." Encouraging for Iavaroni already is the attitude of the Grizzlies' young contributors. Second-year players Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry, Tarence Kinsey and Alexander Johnson proved a commitment to working on their games before the Griz began minicamp this week. "At a lot of places, you have to beg and cajole guys to come in," Iavaroni said. "But all of our young guys have been very eager to go." The enthusiasm extends to No. 4 overall draft pick Mike Conley. The point guard will be embroiled in a competitive battle with Lowry through the start of the regular season. The knock on both young point guards is shaky jump-shooting. </div> Source: Memphis CA
