Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

[Frank Slade]

Associated Press files

Griffin is staying put; Jackson now leads pack


Former NBA point guard and current TV analyst Mark Jackson is thought to be the front-runner for the Grizzlies' GM post

By Ronald Tillery
Contact
June 3, 2007

The Grizzlies' search for front-office personnel to replace outgoing team president Jerry West is expected to span an additional two weeks, and will do so without David Griffin.

Griffin, the Phoenix Suns' vice president of basketball operations, is no longer a candidate for the Grizzlies' general manager vacancy after he decided to remain with the team where he's worked for the past 14 years.

Griffin will receive a more lucrative contract and new title from the Suns, who are expected to name former NBA player Steve Kerr team president and GM.

"Griffin withdrew his name (from consideration)," Griz owner Michael Heisley said when reached in Scotland, where he is on a golf excursion with West, among others. "But there's no question that (Griffin) is someone we seriously considered hiring. He was definitely one of the leading candidates."

Mark Jackson, a former NBA point guard-turned-television analyst, appears to be a leading candidate to join the Griz. Boston's Chris Wallace and former Denver boss Kiki Vandeweghe have also interviewed. Former Chicago Bulls point guard and executive B.J. Armstrong remains a possible candidate.

The Griz are expected to contact Armstrong once Heisley and West return the week of June 10.
......... cont'd
Ronald Tillery: 529-2353

Memphis Commercial Appeal

[Evan_The_Dude]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

Isiah Thomas Part II...

[Anthem]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

Hey, that's great news. Maybe we can nab some of their players on the cheap.

[Bball]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

What do some of you guys have against Mark Jackson?

-Bball

[speakout4]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

What do some of you guys have against Mark Jackson?

-Bball

What has Mark done to make you think he can handle front office or head coaching jobs with absolutely no experience? If no experience is needed why are any of these guys wasting time serving in apprentice jobs?

[BlueNGold]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

I am surprised Mark Jackson is being considered for a GM position...but good for him. I would rather see him on the bench. He is a natural leader and would make a good coach IMO.

[Evan_The_Dude]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

What do some of you guys have against Mark Jackson?

-Bball

His mouth and his arrogance. Not even the fact that he dogged our front office, because what he said about our front office was true as far as I'm concerned. I just don't like the fact that he feels that just because he was a point guard in the NBA for 16 seasons (?), that he feels that he should go straight into being a head coach instead of earning it like Avery Johnson did, and like Darrell Armstrong is trying to do. Fine if he simply got a head coaching position without any experience. But I don't understand how any player can come out and say they deserve the right to have the same job title as a Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson, or Gregg Popovich just because he played the game for so long. Those guys worked their asses off to get where they are today. It's not an easy job to be an NBA Head Coach, and the way he was talking, it seemed like he was looking at it like it's a piece of cake.

He's my all-time favorite point guard, and the NBA Analyst I like the least.

[Kegboy]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

Oh my. Wonder if TPTB in Memphis heard him saying that Kobe was better than Jordan, Dirk was better than Bird, and Grant Hill was better than Dr. J. That's the kind of thinking I'd want at the top of my organization.

[Young]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

What has Mark done to make you think he can handle front office or head coaching jobs with absolutely no experience? If no experience is needed why are any of these guys wasting time serving in apprentice jobs?

Why is everyone harping on MJ wanting to be a coach with no experience.

IT didn't do it.

I don't believe that Larry did it.

Magic didn't do it.

Did Michael Jordan have any experience before he took over the Wiz?

Did Chris Mullin or Joe Dumars hav experience before taking over their respected clubs? I'm not for sure about it but I was thinking they didn't.

I swear. MJ isn't the first to not want to accept an assistant's role. Why is everyone still making a big fuss over this? It ain't a big deal.

[Shack80]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

Why the hell would anyone higher a guy to be there GM, that has been nothing more than a good PG? They will get what they deserve, or really really lucky. Silly as hell.

[Kegboy]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

Why is everyone harping on MJ wanting to be a coach with no experience.

IT didn't do it.

I don't believe that Larry did it.

Magic didn't do it.

Did Michael Jordan have any experience before he took over the Wiz?

Did Chris Mullin or Joe Dumars hav experience before taking over their respected clubs? I'm not for sure about it but I was thinking they didn't.

I swear. MJ isn't the first to not want to accept an assistant's role. Why is everyone still making a big fuss over this? It ain't a big deal.

The thing is, none of them went around saying, "I'm too good to be an assistant", to anyone who would listen. That's the issue, Roomie. It's not that he isn't qualified, he probably is. It's the arrogance, the same arrogance he showed as a player, and the same arrogance he showed when he said he didn't want the Pacers job.

And, somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe everybody on your list except Michael worked in a front office in at least some capacity before they got the big chair.

[Young]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

The thing is, none of them went around saying, "I'm too good to be an assistant", to anyone who would listen. That's the issue, Roomie. It's not that he isn't qualified, he probably is. It's the arrogance, the same arrogance he showed as a player, and the same arrogance he showed when he said he didn't want the Pacers job.

I guess all I thought he said was he didn't want to be an assistant. I don't really feel he was being arrogant about it but i've been wrong many times before haha.

[grace]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

Why is everyone harping on MJ wanting to be a coach with no experience.

IT didn't do it.

I don't believe that Larry did it.

They didn't coach, but Isiah had been a GM and Larry had a front office job after they retired.

Magic didn't do it.

Did Michael Jordan have any experience before he took over the Wiz?

I don't think these two would exactly be good examples of taking a job without any experience. Magic would be the first to admit he was horrible. Jordan would never admit it, but the mess the Wiz were after he left is evidence enough.

Did Chris Mullin or Joe Dumars hav experience before taking over their respected clubs? I'm not for sure about it but I was thinking they didn't.

I doubt Mullin had experience. I think Dumars had a front office job, but I might be wrong.

[Hoop]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

Oh my. Wonder if TPTB in Memphis heard him saying that Kobe was better than Jordan, Dirk was better than Bird, and Grant Hill was better than Dr. J. That's the kind of thinking I'd want at the top of my organization.

Exactly, Jackson is loony. Plus, he's the worst announcer I've ever heard. He's also a big blow hard and a phony.

[Arcadian]

Re: Mark Jackon appears to be front runner for Grizzlies GM spot

What do some of you guys have against Mark Jackson?

-Bball

Is it me or is there a certian amount of irony in the 2007 DSoY posting that?