I realize it is a business, but public relations is a part of the business.
As popular as they are in the Bluff City, the Memphis Grizzlies don’t seem to care a lot about their fans.
As an example, their last trade.
In their infinite wisdom, the Griz’ front office saw fit to trade the most popular player in the history of the franchise, center Marc Gasol, to Toronto for some guy named Jonas Valanciunas, who didn’t play in the Griz’ win over New Orleans.
Gasol was a PR Director’s dream of a player. He was the face of the franchise, going to civic club meetings, schools, playgrounds, wherever he was requested to go representing the team, playing all-star caliber basketball all the while.
There is a history behind the headlines.
Marc’s older brother, Pau, was chosen third overall I the 2001 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, who traded him to the Vancouver Grizzlies. After Vancouver became the Memphis Grizzlies, Pau Gasol earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors and became the darling of the Memphis sports world.
Before the 2006-07 season, however, Pau broke his left foot and was never the same after that. On Feb. 1, 2008, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Critenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol and 2008 and 2010 first-round draft picks.
Marc Gasol has been consistent if nothing else. This past season he averaged 15.6 points per game and has averaged 15.2 points per game over his career since entering the NBA in the 2009-10 season. Now that is consistent.
He has not been a PR problem for the franchise in any way.
The fans love him.
The media loves him.
He produces.
So why trade him?
Like I say, I know it’s a business, but there is no reason to trade him that I can see. Especially for some guy named Jonas Valanciunas.
The Grizzlies have announced they are going to retire Marc’s jersey in the near future. Well, that’s nice but what’s the point. You trade the guy then hang his jersey on your wall of honor? I don’t get it.
Marc Gasol has been a Memphis Grizzly his entire career and has paid dividends throughout his career, both on and off the court.
He has brought many fans into the “Grindhouse,” otherwise known as the FedEx Forum, one of the best NBA arenas in the nation, and you trade him for some guy named Jonas Valanciunas? Shabby treatment for someone who gave his career to his team, teammates, fans and a city!
No, he never led them to an NBA championship, but he did lead them to the playoffs several times in his 10-year career.
And that leads me to Mike Conley, another Grizzly who the team traded away the other day.
If I’m on the Grizzlies roster next season, I wouldn’t consider purchasing a home in Memphis.
I would just rent one.
