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Memphis Grizzlies need an Active Owner

By Chip Crain

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 7: Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat on December 7, 2014 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 7: Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat on December 7, 2014 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies majority owner is a secretive man, but now isn’t the time for an absentee owner. The franchise is faltering and needs leadership.

The Memphis Grizzlies have seen the trouble an active owner can create for a franchise.

It wasn’t that long ago that Michael Heisley demanded the front office to draft Hasheem Thabeet, a bust in a loaded draft. He strong-armed the front office to sign Allen Iverson, his wife’s favorite player. He was reported to have stormed into Jerry West’s office and demand he sign a free agent. If you believe the rumor, West’s response was to pick up the phone and sign Brian Cardinal to an overpriced deal.

Not all activist owners are good for franchises, nut Memphis needs an active and present owner right now.

Robert Pera has been an absent owner. Despite the troubles active owners can cause, that doesn’t mean absentee owners are better. Memphis has had an absentee owner since Robert Pera bought the franchise in 2012. In those five years, the team has gradually and painfully declined season after season leading into this year’s disaster.

It’s time for Robert Pera to become more active. He needs to step in and make some major statements before the wheels completely fall off the franchise.

And no the wheels haven’t fallen off just yet, despite the Grizzlies losing 14 of the last 15 games heading into tonight’s home game against Miami. Injuries and a strangely-timed head coaching change just make it appear that way. Still the signs of deeper trouble are everywhere.

It’s time for the notoriously silent Robert Pera to make an appearance. He needs to step in front of the media and make a statement about how he plans to right the ship.

Right now there’s a struggle going on between Robert Pera and his main minority owners Steve Kaplan and Daniel Strauss. The control of the team is at risk. Still he shouldn’t remain in the shadows while the team flounders.

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Does that mean making changes to the front office? Many fans are hopefu,l but it’s not automatic.

Wallace’s Resume

Chris Wallace has been a loyal soldier for Robert Pera during the turmoil of the Jason Levien/Steve Kaplan craziness from 2013. It’s conceivable that Pera will stick with him in the dark times while he figures out how much he really wants to own this team. Still Wallace has done everything needed to lose his position.

Wallace has two of his first round draft picks on the roster since first arriving in Memphis after the 2006-07 season. One, Mike Conley, was drafted two weeks after he took over the job. The other, Jarell Martin, has been a disappointment since he was drafted and only played 11 minutes in his last game. Not one other first round pick remains with the team, and many are no longer in the league. Wade Baldwin was the team’s 2016 first round draft pick, and Wallace waived him before the start of the 2017 season.

Wallace hired David Fizdale to replace Dave Joerger only to fire him early in his second season without a viable replacement in mind. Wallace’s resume hinges on him being in charge when the franchise’s core four were built (Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen).

Chris Wallace was in charge when he allowed two of those players to walk away without the team getting anything back in return as well.

Wallace signed Chandler Parsons to max contract despite his previous knee issues. He signed Brandan Wright despite his injury history. He signed Vince Carter, who was plagued by his previous injury for two of his three seasons in Memphis.

These were all poor decisions at the time and in hindsight.

Wallace has stated that neither Marc Gasol nor Mike Conley will be traded. One has to wonder how long that promise will continue as the losses pile up.

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What Does Pera Need to Do?

It’s time for Robert Pera to stand up for the team he owns and become the owner. He needs to be seen and heard in Memphis. He owns the franchise but the city loves the team.

The fans need to know that someone cares about the team as more than simply a toy in a case. Robert Pera may be a super fan, but the franchise needs a super owner to take control. That doesn’t mean he has to make every decision. He isn’t in position to make every decision, nor is he educated in the NBA enough to make every decision.

Pera just needs to make these decisions. He needs to decide what the future of the franchise is going to be and who is going to run it.

And he needs to tell the people of Memphis in person what the answers are to those two questions in person.

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