In New Orleans, Scott Kushner wrote the Pelicans hiring David Griffin as GM is "more than just another hire," it is a "statement." The fact that Griffin landed with the Pelicans "represents a narrative shift." Griffin is not an "up and coming assistant general manager or a re-tread desperate to get another chance atop an NBA front office." He is an "established, accomplished and highly sought-after executive, someone the Pelicans were required to persuade rather than a prospect eager to take a top job with any of the 30 teams" (New Orleans ADVOCATE, 4/13). Also in New Orleans, Jeff Duncan wrote the Pelicans "took a significant step in changing the perception of their own organization by hiring the widely respected Griffin." The team then "took another positive step in that direction by committing to Griffin to upgrade the staffing and resources for the club's basketball operations" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 4/14).
YOUTH MOVEMENT: In Memphis, Mark Giannotto in a front-page piece wrote the Grizzlies are "empowering" new Exec VP/Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman, a 30-year old "Chicago native with a law degree from Duke University and a fondness for the Michael Jordan era to figure out how to recapture the success this franchise enjoyed during the Core Four era." If the Grizzlies "return to the NBA playoffs, Kleiman gets the credit." Kleiman four years ago was an associate at N.Y.-based law firm Proskauer Rose, when he was "hired as team counsel" with the Grizzlies (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/13). Also in Memphis, David Cobb wrote the Grizzlies leadership team "looked toward the future ... with plans to enact fundamental changes in the franchise's decision-making process." Kleiman and new Grizzlies President Jason Wexler said that the team will "look to hire 'multiple' additional front-office members." Wexler said that those front office additions will "work 'with but under' Kleiman." A timeline for the new hires "has not been set" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/13).
BITTERSWEET END: Heat President Pat Riley addressed several issues at his Saturday press conference at AmericanAirlines Arena, where he said it was "very disappointing" to miss the playoffs this season. Riley said that the team "has not come together like I thought it would," and that he "believed the team 'for sure' would have been in the top half of the Eastern Conference this season." Riley also said that teams "still need stars to win big." He added, "You have to do everything you can to try to get a superstar or two." Riley said of Heat G Dwyane Wade's final season, "This was pure love. And it muted to some extent the emotional disappointment on the part of the organization and our staff (about) not making the playoffs three of the last five years" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/14).
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: In Chicago, Joe Cowley writes Bulls VP/Basketball Operations John Paxson "believes there's a path out of NBA hell -- and even beyond mediocrity -- for the Bulls." Paxson: "The first part of that is through the draft and to get relevant again." He added, "I do believe when we establish winning again, that this city is a draw, that this organization is a draw. But that's down the road." Cowley notes the team having $20M in "cap room doesn't hurt as they try to add more veteran voices" via free agency (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/15).
