Grizzlies Sign Darius Miles

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

What happens is they activate him, essentially, now. He is "eligible" to play January 4th, after serving his 10 game suspension. January 7th, his contract has to become guaranteed for the rest fo the season. So he has to show Memphis something in the 2 games they have between the 4th and the 7th, as well as practice up until that point to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season. Maybe it is a move to "get back at KP" but as cheap as there owner is, does anyone honestly think he is going to guarantee someone 500,000 to be an F-U to another GM? His own GM has been a big fuck you to his own team, and now this cheap ass team is going into the business of throwing around money to fuck someone else over? Miles won't get that guaranteed deal. I think Wallace thinks he's smart, and thinks he can make KP sweat a little, but KP knows their owner is a cheap piece of shit, and their GM is dumb as all hell, and knows that Miles, come January 7th, isn't going to be on Memphis' roster.

I think he might be willing to take a $500,00 hit in order to knock out 9 mil in cap space to another team who might be looking at the same free-agents this off-season. I know I would consider it...bite the bullet to throw a huge monkey wrench in a teams off-season planning...I can see that happening. Not to mention the agent scenerio someone else mentioned above...what other players does his agent represent that will be a free-agent in the next two years?

 

[alex42083]

Just another reason why Chris Wallace ranks right up there with Kevin McHale as the dumbest GM in the NBA. Darius Miles, are you serious?

 

[barfo]

Just another reason why Chris Wallace ranks right up there with Kevin McHale as the dumbest GM in the NBA. Darius Miles, are you serious?

But McHale has been demoted to coach, so the throne is all Wallace's.

barfo

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

But McHale has been demoted to coach, so the throne is all Wallace's.

barfo

lol...agreed...thank God....lol. But I really think has more to do with hurting the Blazers, then helping the Grizz.

 

[alex42083]

But McHale has been demoted to coach, so the throne is all Wallace's.

barfo

I'm sure he's got his say in personnel matters since it's basically his team that he molded. But I may agree that Wallace could have the throne to himself since this move hurts us while McHale helped us by handing us Brandon.

 

[Nikolokolus]

lol...agreed...thank God....lol. But I really think has more to do with hurting the Blazers, then helping the Grizz.

It might be, but that raises the question if you are more worried about "cock blocking" another team than actively trying to improve your own, then doesn't that damage your chances to go out and lure these free agents you're supposedly competing to sign? I know lots of players are going to follow the money regardless (eg. Baron Davis), but more than a couple are probably going to hesitate to sign an offer sheet when they aren't sure about their chances of winning.

In any case, it's already been made clear that KP still is going to have plenty of cap room even with Miles back on the books; he'll have the option to renounce guys like Diogu and Channing, or decline Blake's option, etc. if he's really interested in getting a max guy. So all Wallace's efforts could end up being mostly in vain.

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

I'm sure he's got his say in personnel matters since it's basically his team that he molded. But I may agree that Wallace could have the throne to himself since this move hurts us while McHale helped us by handing us Brandon.

Ouch....you cut deep....lol

 

[alex42083]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/dec/13/griz-sign-former-star-forward-darius-miles/

The Grizzlies really are just an idiotic poorly run franchise.. ugh, I hate them.

From the article:

"We're taking a shot to see if he's a guy who can resurrect his career and help us," Griz general manager Chris Wallace said. "We need to find more veterans -- not just so much for leadership but for production on the court. We need guys who have been there a little bit."

Leadership? From Darius Miles? And what's he mean, we need guys who have been there a little bit? Been where? Ugh, Chris Wallace, you're an idiot.

"I feel like I can help Rudy (Gay) out at the three without him feeling the threat of me trying to take his position," Miles said. "I know a little veteran stuff on the defensive side that can help him become a better player. Plus, my experiences can help. I've been on both sides."

Darius, you were always such a lockdown defender huh. You barely showed it. And your experiences can help? Help what? How much money to throw at strippers, or how to change into clothes at halftime, or how to talk down to your coach?

Wallace denied that the motivation for acquiring Miles was to adversely affect Portland's salary cap.

"I wish I could do this without me having to put money on (Portland's) salary cap," Miles said. "The only reason they say something about me is because of their business decision. They decided they didn't want me to play for that team anymore. It's kind of like the (Stephon Marbury) situation, and everybody labeled my like I was this bad dude.

"I've been on the side where I've never had a bad article written about me, I was on every commercial, on the cover of magazines and my jersey selling No. 3 all over the world. Then I've been where I was considered one of the top five thugs in the league. I'm a cancer. But I've never had a teammate that said they had a problem with me. I'm not a problem."

 

[Ed O]

Can people who dislike Miles immensely, and have called him fat and lazy and worthless, explain why he would work hard to get back into the NBA?

Boredom?

Ed O.

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

It might be, but that raises the question if you are more worried about "cock blocking" another team than actively trying to improve your own, then doesn't that damage your chances to go out and lure these free agents you're supposedly competing to sign? I know lots of players are going to follow the money regardless (eg. Baron Davis), but more than a couple are probably going to hesitate to sign an offer sheet when they aren't sure about their chances of winning.

In any case, it's already been made clear that KP still is going to have plenty of cap room even with Miles back on the books; he'll have the option to renounce guys like Diogu and Channing, or decline Blake's option, etc. if he's really interested in getting a max guy. So all Wallace's efforts could end up being mostly in vain.

True, unless you want to contribute that 9mil into getting two top tier players instead of one....and maybe the Grizz are thinking about getting the same players as the Blazers...$500,000 now might not be that tough of a price to pay to keep more of thier options for free-agents away from a more desirable destination. The Grizz aren't going to really hurt thier chances either way since thier obviously rebuilding and not in a title hunt. But the Grizz are a collection of up-and-comers with Gay, Marc Gasol and Mayo...not to mention Conley starting to impress...I can see some players wanting to go there. Doesn't Portland want depth at PF and Center? If so they very well might be butting heads come the off-season since the Grizz need that as well.

As much as I would hate to say it, Memphis looks more attractive than say, my Timberwolves...I don't see any free agents going there as long as McHale is there...

Although I agree with it not being right to hurt your team now to benifit it later, but that is what rebuilding comes down to....and look at who and what team were talking about....lol...

 

[MrJayremmie]

Doesn't Portland want depth at PF and Center? If so they very well might be butting heads come the off-season since the Grizz need that as well.

maybe a backup PF but not a Center, no. But the backup PF might already be taken care of also with a guy playing in Spain right now or through the draft.

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

maybe a backup PF but not a Center, no. But the backup PF might already be taken care of also with a guy playing in Spain right now or through the draft.

yeah, your right....after seeing thier roster on your sig (thanks btw...lol) They do need a polished PG more than anything as well as wing defending SF in case Batum doesn't pan out...or even for position depth.

I guess the Blazers and Grizz won't really be butting heads come free-agent time...I stand corrected. I guess they really don't have much of an alterior motive...just that thier asses or dumb...lol

 

[MrJayremmie]

I think if you are an up and coming team (which i believe the Grizzlies are) and you know that you have competition verse another team that is not only up and coming but a playoff ocntender now with better talent, and you know that for the next 10 years, they will probably only have this one year which they will have cap space before they lock up all their players, I could see a reason to try and take 9mil away from them.

But that is just me.

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

I think if you are an up and coming team (which i believe the Grizzlies are) and you know that you have competition verse another team that is not only up and coming but a playoff ocntender now with better talent, and you know that for the next 10 years, they will probably only have this one year which they will have cap space before they lock up all their players, I could see a reason to try and take 9mil away from them.

But that is just me.

Yeah, that's pretty much the logic I have, and it only comes at the cost of $500,000 and a roster spot for at least 20 games. I guess thier intentions will be made clear after that timeframe. I just hope Miles realizes that he only has those 10 games after serving his 10 game suspension to prove something or there will be no further reason to keep him.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Another possibility is back-scratching at the agent level. It's possible that they are doing a favor for Darius' agent in hopes of getting something back later regarding one of the agents other players.

barfo

I think this may be the most plausible idea.

Besides, if Darius can get back some of his "explosiveness" he could be a good player off the bench for them. I really doubt they're just trying to stick it to us.

 

[HOWIE]

Can people who dislike Miles immensely, and have called him fat and lazy and worthless, explain why he would work hard to get back into the NBA?

Boredom?

Ed O.

I've heard it's all about the life style which he loves so much. It's more impressive to say I play in the NBA than to say I played in the NBA. Status? I never got the impression that he loved playing the game, but maybe that is because of all the problems.

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

It all comes down to the desire to play and get better....it's crazy when a player comes in with serious potential and blows it all away because they just don't have that fire to constantly get better. It's a shame for him, cause the talet was there, he just never tapped it....sure someone can make the argument that he got hurt....but he wasn't even tapping his potential when he was healthy

 

[MrJayremmie]

Yeah, brother. He could have been really good.

During his prime, he was pretty good, but this kid had so much potential. Hopefully he is working hard and can get back to playing respectable bball.

He really did not look good during preaseason. The article said that he did look good, which was odd, because if you watched him, he wasn't good, and couldn't hold on to a roster spot.

 

[La Bomba]

Why do people hate us? Just because we have a dumb ass GM who does favors for other teams? You guys should praise us because we're probably going to end up doing Mike Conley for a 2nd or something stupid like that.

 

[Blazer_Hippie]

ATTENTION DARIUS!!

To help make your transition earlier...please reference the link below for you convenience.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=utf-...bs&fb=1&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=image

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

Why do people hate us? Just because we have a dumb ass GM who does favors for other teams? You guys should praise us because we're probably going to end up doing Mike Conley for a 2nd or something stupid like that.

I don't hate you guys....you should send Conley to us in Minnesota...lol...as a show of gratitude for sending you Mayo........

 

[STOMP]

I've heard it's all about the life style which he loves so much. It's more impressive to say I play in the NBA than to say I played in the NBA. Status? I never got the impression that he loved playing the game, but maybe that is because of all the problems.

speculations by this board fueled by our who JQ hearts local press don't necessarily reflect reality at all. I think it's pretty humorous that many here are convinced that they know whats what with the character of individual players when the truth of the matter is they only have wild guesses that they've repeated ad nauseam in scapegoat threads. Rather then examining their precious Darius is a bad/lazy guy premise, posters are convinced it's all a big conspiracy

I'm fine with not really knowing a players character or workout regimen (or lack there of) and limiting my analysis to what I see on the court and hard evidence like medical reports on the state of his knee. Having seen DM play in the summer league, dude is a shell of his former self lacking the athletic explosiveness he started his career with. Without question he knows a vet trick or two to teach the youngins on Memphis, but so do a ton of ex-players who can no longer bring it on an NBA level. Unless there has been a dramatic change in the last couple months, dude is too slow to guard 3s and too small to guard 4s. Combine that with his 10 game suspension and it's quite likely he never hits the floor for them. Even if he did somehow play in 10 games, from my understanding the Blazers would still likely avoid having his dollars appear back on their cap as the league (for all intents and purposes) backed their conclusion that he's done. And even if on the outside chance that his contract ends up counting against Portland's cap, the Blazers could still easily clear 10+ mil in capspace this next offseason for a lopsided trade or UFA signing.

This group fretting is truly much to do about nothing.

STOMP

 

[Boob-No-More]

"I've been on the side where I've never had a bad article written about me, I was on every commercial, on the cover of magazines and my jersey selling No. 3 all over the world."

Wow, I must have missed that. When did Darius have the No. 3 selling jersey in the world?

Then I've been where I was considered one of the top five thugs in the league. I'm a cancer. But I've never had a teammate that said they had a problem with me. I'm not a problem."

This is the part I remember. Every team he played for couldn't wait to get rid of the guy. He was an insubordinate headcase. Yeah, Mo Cheeks wasn't a great coach, but he didn't deserve to be disrespected the way he was by Darius. He also butted heads with Paul Silas in Cleveland. So, has Darius Miles ever played for a coach that actually wanted him on the team? I wonder how long it will take for Miles to wear out his welcome in Memphis. I'm guessing about 21 games - 10 of them while he's serving his suspension.

BNM

 

[HOWIE]

speculations by this board fueled by our who JQ hearts local press don't necessarily reflect reality at all. I think it's pretty humorous that many here are convinced that they know whats what with the character of individual players when the truth of the matter is they only have wild guesses that they've repeated ad nauseam in scapegoat threads. Rather then examining their precious Darius is a bad/lazy guy premise, posters are convinced it's all a big conspiracy

I'm fine with not really knowing a players character or workout regimen (or lack there of) and limiting my analysis to what I see on the court and hard evidence like medical reports on the state of his knee. Having seen DM play in the summer league, dude is a shell of his former self lacking the athletic explosiveness he started his career with. Without question he knows a vet trick or two to teach the youngins on Memphis, but so do a ton of ex-players who can no longer bring it on an NBA level. Unless there has been a dramatic change in the last couple months, dude is too slow to guard 3s and too small to guard 4s. Combine that with his 10 game suspension and it's quite likely he never hits the floor for them. Even if he did somehow play in 10 games, from my understanding the Blazers would still likely avoid having his dollars appear back on their cap as the league (for all intents and purposes) backed their conclusion that he's done. And even if on the outside chance that his contract ends up counting against Portland's cap, the Blazers could still easily clear 10+ mil in capspace this next offseason for a lopsided trade or UFA signing.

This group fretting is truly much to do about nothing.

STOMP

Eh, I'd say that is your own speculation there STOMP. I do have interaction outside this board and don't make it a practice to read Mr. Quick. Never the less speculate away my friend.

 

[julius]

Wow, I must have missed that. When did Darius have the No. 3 selling jersey in the world?

Darius was only including "immediate family members that I buy jerseys for". Maybe he meant "bought by World B. Free".

The LAST time Darius mattered to anyone, he wasn't on the top 25.

http://www.nba.com/news/jerseys_041209.html

Also, why did it change from top 5, to top 3?

And why is he reffered to as a "top 10" jersey as a Clipper, but dropped out of it (not even top 20) when he moved to Cleveland?

It couldn't be that once he was out of the bandwagon central, people stopped giving a shit about him, could it?

Darius simply ain't good enough to care if another team thinks he'll be anything more than a 15th man. And if his salary counts against the team next year? Im sure the team already has the papers drawn up to contest that. I don't think this is a big deal.

 

[STOMP]

Eh, I'd say that is your own speculation there STOMP. I do have interaction outside this board and don't make it a practice to read Mr. Quick. Never the less speculate away my friend.

some of it is... like you, I labeled it as such too. Can't say the same for most of the others here who act like their speculations are fact. And while you and I may not read JQ on principle, it's a fact that his nonsense is the basis of many a chicken little thread here. It's my opinion that the chances of Darius effecting Portland's future personnel moves are still very slim for the reasons I laid out.

btw, while I quoted your post it wasn't nearly as a post as many others in this thread. Because you seem to be a generally good natured poster, I used it as a launching point for my rant rather then directly calling out those I was really taking issue with and risk having things devolve into a personal spat (if that makes any sense ). I don't want to get in a fight, I want my opinion considered.

STOMP

 

[Nikolokolus]

Hey, who knows maybe Darius really did get a raw deal from KP (blasphemy I know) and the league appointed doctor. If he really is fighting to come back for the love of the game and has matured then I say, "good for him."

 

[MARIS61]

Darius is not 50 years old, and he's in reasonably good shape, better than most on this board I would guess.

He at least once had undeniable skills and talent, so given the right motivation and determination there is no reason to think he can't play again, and perhaps play very well.

I applaud his effort and wish him success.

 

[STOMP]

Darius is not 50 years old, and he's in reasonably good shape, better than most on this board I would guess.

He at least once had undeniable skills and talent, so given the right motivation and determination there is no reason to think he can't play again, and perhaps play very well.

I applaud his effort and wish him success.

I wish him (and pretty much everyone) the best, but I think the multiple medical opinions on the state of his knee and play since are very good reasons to think he'll never be anything like what he was. While he has some skills, it's not like the guy was a dead eye shooter or phenomenal passer. Being a long 6'8 athlete was his main positive.

STOMP

 

[HOWIE]

some of it is... like you, I labeled it as such too. Can't say the same for most of the others here who act like their speculations are fact. And while you and I may not read JQ on principle, it's a fact that his nonsense is the basis of many a chicken little thread here. It's my opinion that the chances of Darius effecting Portland's future personnel moves are still very slim for the reasons I laid out.

btw, while I quoted your post it wasn't nearly as a post as many others in this thread. Because you seem to be a generally good natured poster, I used it as a launching point for my rant rather then directly calling out those I was really taking issue with and risk having things devolve into a personal spat (if that makes any sense ). I don't want to get in a fight, I want my opinion considered.

STOMP

Pure speculation on my part here, but apology accepted.

As far as Miles work ethic, outside of what has been posted here, printed by Mr. Quick, or ranted about on the internet. Darius Miles does not have good work ethic and again from my interations outside message boards I to highly doubt that Memphis is going to keep him long term. My first tought was that signing him was to put pressure on Pritchard to wheel & deal, but maybe Wallace is just cray enough to think that he knows more than the Clippers, Cavs, Blazers, & Celtic's. Miles is not the type of player you want on a team building for the future, he made more sense signing with Boston than Memphis, but that is just specualtion again on my part. We should know more next month just how serious Wallace is about Miles, my guess is Miles won't work out.