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Thursday
June 26, 2008
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Grizzlies Owner Heisley Takes More Control Of Draft Decisions

Heisley To Have Final Say Over Grizzlies'
Draft Decisions For First Time

Grizzlies Owner Michael Heisley "insists that he'll have final say on all decisions" made in tonight's NBA Draft, something he "didn't exercise" over the past eight years of his ownership, according to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Heisley: "For the first time, I'm having major input. That doesn't mean I don't think much of [Grizzlies GM & VP/Basketball Operations Chris Wallace] or any of my basketball people. It just means that like a lot of owners, I reserve the right to approve or not approve any decisions. What I'm not comfortable with is people getting the idea that I'm going to be like [Yankees Chair] George Steinbrenner. That's not my style. That's not the atmosphere. I'm just saying that I'm going to be informed and part of the decision-making." Tillery writes what has "clearly changed" from the time former GM Dick Versace and former President of Basketball Operations Jerry West ran the franchise is that Heisley "no longer feels the need to bestow complete autonomy on the front office." Heisley: "I feel like after (eight years of ownership) that I've got something to offer. Do I know as much as Chris Wallace? No. Do I know as much as [Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni]? No. This is about me making sure I understand the rationale behind whatever we do" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 6/26).

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