| Wallace Says If We Want Rubio, We'll Take Rubio |
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| Written by Chip Crain |
| Thursday, 18 June 2009 09:03 |
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"If we want (Rubio), we're going to take him," Wallace said Wednesday. "We wouldn't have taken a 10-hour flight to Spain if we didn't have interest in him." Wow. If the Grizzlies want Rubio they'll take him. What a gutsy statement.
I know that there are no guarantees in drafts. The Grizzlies possibly believe someone else is better to draft with the 2nd pick. I've heard rumors people are questioning if Rubio is actually 6-4 in shoes or barefoot. Let me be clear about this. It doesn't matter if he is 6-4 in shoes or pantyhose. All that matters is the Grizzlies get the best player available with the 2nd pick. I think Wallace is doing the right thing (and many people including myself have said this from the beginning) in telling Rubio that he is in the draft and the team that drafts him will have his rights. If Rubio want to play in the NBA then he'll have to play by the rules. Personally I also believe the best way to get a good offer for the #2 pick is to make sure people around the league realize the Grizzlies won't be detered from taking Rubio despite the rumors being spread around. Memphis also has to make a stand around the league that the team isn't willing to be a farm club for other teams. The front office put themselves in position to get high draft picks. People can argue the validity of such a plan but that was implicitly the plan starting a year ago. To be scared out of taking advantage of the fruits of that plan is beyond ridiculous.It is time for the Grizzlies office to start acting like a Major League franchise. Take the best player available and don't be swayed by threats from spoiled teenagers and over-zealous agents much less draft boards and blogs (including this one). Take the best players with your picks, sign a free agents that fit needs on the team and start acting like big time players in this league. That doesn't mean I expect immediate results on the court. I don't. But I do expect the players would appreciate being part of an organization on the way up and the fans deserve seeing the best players possible in Grizz uniforms. If Rubio wants to abandon his dream of playing in the NBA and return home with his tale between his legs then so be it. That just frees up more money for the Grizzlies to spend in free agency. We still hold his rights for up to one year after his contract with his Spanish team (or is it the Spanish IRS) expires. And if anyone wants to acquire the draft pick from us they better come to the table with an offer that improves our team and not just the bottom line. That is the real message from Wallace's comments anyway. |
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