tdunk21
06-16-2010, 09:35 PM
The Grizzlies have been "routinely dealing with refusals to visit and workout cancellations by prospects who have expressed a desire not to play [in Memphis]," according to multiple sources.
Among the players who snubbed Memphis are Gordon Hayward, Paul George, Ekpe Udoh, and Avery Bradley. Even Memphis native Elli0t Williams won't commit to meeting with the Grizzlies.
At least two NBA teams have been snubbed by NBA draftees in conducint private workouts, the Washingon Wizards got the snub from sports agent David Falk, who represents Ohio State standout Evan Turner, and the Memphis Grizzlies have been getting snubbed by potential draft picks great and small.
Even Butler's Gordon Hayward, not thought to be even a lottery pick, was strongly against Memphis using one of their three picks on him. Memphis holds the 12th, 25th and 28th picks in the June 25th NBA Draft.
With the Wizards it apears as though Falk doesn't want to waste his time, since the no doubt plans to take Kentucky guard John Wall. A case could be made that Falk or Turner may want to steer clear of organization that hasn't had success in three decades. The Washington Post reports Falk 'wasn't receptive' to Wizards request for a private workout with Turner.
The Grizzlies, it could be a matter of having 'too much' young talent, and three draft picks in the first-round that could yield players with equal or lesser abilities than those on their current roster.
"Its par for the pre-draft course," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace told the Commercial Appeal. "That's why you go out and watch the games during the season. There are times when the agent and the player would prefer to be in one place over another. But if we want them we'll pick them, and we tell them that."
Besides Hayward, other draftees to snub or cancel plans for workouts with Memphis are Texas guard Avery Bradley, Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoe, Fresno State forward Paul George, Baylor forward Ekpe Udoh and even Memphis Tiger Eliot Williams.
The paper reports that last year, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry and Johnny Flynn each refused to work out with the Grizzlies, and that the team drafted big man Hasheem Thabeet without ever conducting a private workout with the 7'3 standout from UConn.
What might scare off this year's draftees is what happened to Thabeet. Unable to get playing time with the big league club, he was sent down to the Grizzlies' NBA developmental league roster for a brief period.
http://www.digitalsportsdaily.com/nba/draft/1614-draftees-playing-favorites-before-nba-draft.html
Among the players who snubbed Memphis are Gordon Hayward, Paul George, Ekpe Udoh, and Avery Bradley. Even Memphis native Elli0t Williams won't commit to meeting with the Grizzlies.
At least two NBA teams have been snubbed by NBA draftees in conducint private workouts, the Washingon Wizards got the snub from sports agent David Falk, who represents Ohio State standout Evan Turner, and the Memphis Grizzlies have been getting snubbed by potential draft picks great and small.
Even Butler's Gordon Hayward, not thought to be even a lottery pick, was strongly against Memphis using one of their three picks on him. Memphis holds the 12th, 25th and 28th picks in the June 25th NBA Draft.
With the Wizards it apears as though Falk doesn't want to waste his time, since the no doubt plans to take Kentucky guard John Wall. A case could be made that Falk or Turner may want to steer clear of organization that hasn't had success in three decades. The Washington Post reports Falk 'wasn't receptive' to Wizards request for a private workout with Turner.
The Grizzlies, it could be a matter of having 'too much' young talent, and three draft picks in the first-round that could yield players with equal or lesser abilities than those on their current roster.
"Its par for the pre-draft course," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace told the Commercial Appeal. "That's why you go out and watch the games during the season. There are times when the agent and the player would prefer to be in one place over another. But if we want them we'll pick them, and we tell them that."
Besides Hayward, other draftees to snub or cancel plans for workouts with Memphis are Texas guard Avery Bradley, Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoe, Fresno State forward Paul George, Baylor forward Ekpe Udoh and even Memphis Tiger Eliot Williams.
The paper reports that last year, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry and Johnny Flynn each refused to work out with the Grizzlies, and that the team drafted big man Hasheem Thabeet without ever conducting a private workout with the 7'3 standout from UConn.
What might scare off this year's draftees is what happened to Thabeet. Unable to get playing time with the big league club, he was sent down to the Grizzlies' NBA developmental league roster for a brief period.
http://www.digitalsportsdaily.com/nba/draft/1614-draftees-playing-favorites-before-nba-draft.html