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Memphis Grizzlies Will Experiment with a New Front Office Structure

By Ed Memphis

TARRYTOWN, NY - JULY 12: Jason Kidd, General Manager Glen Grunwald and Marcus Camby of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during a press conference on July 12, 2012 at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - JULY 12: Jason Kidd, General Manager Glen Grunwald and Marcus Camby of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during a press conference on July 12, 2012 at the MSG Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies Glen Grunwald
Glen Grunwald joins the Memphis Grizzlies organization (Photos by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Glen Grunwald

Glen Grunwald will serve as Senior Advisor. As such, he will not move to Memphis at this time nor is he expected to be much involved with day-to-day operations as opposed to Rich Cho to a certain degree.

Grunwald is the most experienced guy of anyone on the team’s current staff. He comes with a résumé that stands on its on with him drafting NBA legend Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

He also drafted Antawn Jamison and traded him to the Golden State Warriors for the rights to former Memphis Grizzlies fan favorite Vince Carter, which was clearly a win, though it was such for both parties honestly, which says Grunwald made the right pick that night even if he was stuck with Jamison.

Glen Grunwald was forced to trade Tracy McGrady after he demanded out and still received a first-round Draft pick in the exchange. Again, Glen is far from a Danny Ainge, Bob Meyers, or Daryl Morey, but he has shown the ability to find hidden gems in the bargain bins such as his signing of Rafer Alston.

Once appointed as GM for the Knicks, Glen Grunwald also proved himself even more by discovering “Linsanity” in Jeremy Lin after he went undrafted coming out of Harvard. This led to Lin developing a cult following along with a very respectable NBA career despite all the injuries.

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Glen also went on to sign J.R. Smith, who had just returned to the NBA after finishing up a season in China as a result of the most recent NBA lockout. Smith essentially came off the streets and instantly became the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year and an endearing fan favorite everywhere he has since landed. Grunwald struck gold again even if he had never truly turned coal into a diamond.

Glen Grunwald was fired from his position with the New York Knicks months later, but the Knicks have not qualified for the NBA Playoffs since he was fired. That speaks volumes about who put that Carmelo Anthony-led Knicks playoff team together.

Now, the Memphis Grizzlies bring Grunwald in officially to advise and help facilitate player and staff personnel as well as serve as a stable, familiar face many coaches, players, agents, media, and front office executives in the NBA will be more willing to deal with in Grunwald.

Besides, none of us knew this move was in the works for quite some time being as the Memphis Grizzlies had Glen work quietly as a consultant for the team this past season, along with Rich Cho, and with Chris Wallace still on board as a scout.

Next. Memphis Grizzlies: 5 College Coaches Worth Interviewing for Head Coach Job. dark

Clearly the Grizzlies decided that since they cannot hire one top-notch GM, they will hire a collection of decent former general managers and hope they combine forces to produce like a Danny Ainge or Daryl Morey would. Let us all hope such a unique approach becomes the new trend due to our success with it.

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