In Memphis, Geoff Calkins writes the Grizzlies following their front office shakeup this week "are an abject disaster," or a "continuing disaster that may involve more wreckage before it's done." Calkins: "Why would anyone want to continue to be a part of this ongoing mess?" Just two weeks ago, CEO Jason Levien, Dir of Player Personnel & Basketball Development Stu Lash, VP/Basketball Operations John Hollinger and coach Dave Joerger "presided over a basketball department that was considered one of the shrewdest in the league" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 5/22).
CITY OF PLIGHTS: In L.A., Bill Plaschke wrote the Lakers "deserved better" than the No. 7 overall pick they were awarded in Tuesday night's NBA Draft Lottery. If the NBA "was smart, it would have helped the Lakers move into the top three." The NBA "needs the Lakers' glamour and drama," and it needs G Kobe Bryant, in his "final run, to be relevant again." The Lakers "desperately need a reason to believe in themselves next season," and one of the first three draft picks "would have made that happen" (L.A. TIMES, 5/21).
FREEZE PLAY: In Las Vegas, Alan Snel noted the ECHL Wranglers "will skip" the '14-15 season because the team "does not have a place to play." But the team will "work on finding a permanent venue in Las Vegas" for the '15-16 season. The ECHL BOG on Monday "granted the Wranglers a voluntary suspension." The Wranglers "plan on finding a new arena and will sell season tickets" for the '15-16 season. Initially, the Wranglers "floated a plan to build an ice rink facility atop the Plaza in downtown, then changed the plan to a hockey rink in the Plaza parking lot" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/21).
