On Friday night, news slipped that Memphis signed Darius Miles to a 10-day contract which goes into effect today, giving the Grizzlies three opportunities to get Miles some run. This would not be notable if the Blazers hadn't threatened to sue any team that signed Miles for the purpose of damaging Portland's salary cap standing.Clearly, no team really had much to fear once the NBA put out its statement Friday morning telling the league any franchise was free to sign Miles.
The Blazers stuck to their guns before Memphis signed D, even in the face of a grievance from the players union.
But the biggest impact (other than the potential for Portland's summer cap space to be halved) might be renewed national excitement for the Grizzlies. Bloggers, fans and non-Blazer partisans have almost universally cheered the Memphis move, with Hardwood Paroxysm's headline bringing the best summation. The Grizz are 11-26, but someone needs to get Friday's home game against Utah on national TV. Kevin Pritchard will be able to hear the cheers when Miles comes in all the way in Oregon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-10-2009 @ 2:20PM
Ralph Novak said...
"D"??!?
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1-10-2009 @ 7:57PM
mike said...
D= Darius Miles, seriously dude what is the entire article about, well except for my new favorite team the grizzlies sticking it to the blazers
1-10-2009 @ 2:48PM
Scott said...
I'm happy that some team got screwed by signing a bust and giving him a guaranteed contract for 18 Million dollars, I hope more teams get screwed with signing someone that only cares about the money, I'm sure other teams have gotten financially ruined by a player that stinks.
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1-10-2009 @ 3:51PM
MC Welk said...
Utah can consider it an apology for the Pau Gasol giveaway.
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1-10-2009 @ 7:00PM
PC said...
All the way up yours Pritchy boy.
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1-10-2009 @ 7:22PM
negotiator jackson said...
to the clown who is mad about the money the blazers owe is a loser.. if you signed a guaranteed contract who you not want all of your money to support your family???
dont be a prick.. your mad because you can dunk a donut let alone a basketball..
get your money dariius...
i want to see what the blazers do now with their cap all ruined..
i know what they can do. tell their billionaire owner to open up the check book..
cha-ching!!!!
negotiator jackson
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1-10-2009 @ 10:06PM
p2boston said...
I had nothing against Portland until I heard about the threatening email which they sent to all NBA front offices. But now I am pleased that Memphis stood up the Portland's threat, and re-signed Darius Miles.
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1-10-2009 @ 10:18PM
FM King said...
From a Blazer fan. When Miles first came to portland, he was a hungry young athlete that played his butt off. He didn't get much time on the floor, but what he got he made the most of. After a couple years he was awarded a contract comenserate with his blossoming abilities. Only trouble was...he all of a sudden started complaining about little pains. Didn't want to come off the bench. Failed several drug tests...just couldn't leave the "whakytabacky" alone. If he's cleaned himself up & could be a help to some team...then more power to him. If not...then the Blazers shouldn't be liable for anything.
Dads
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1-11-2009 @ 12:30AM
Mr.G said...
FM King...This is not about any kind of drug use.It is about a player battling his way back from career threatening microfracture surgery of his knee.Then having his former employer trying to derail that comeback by any means possible, just to save their precious cap space.The Blazers threatened EVERY team in the league with litigation if they signed Miles.The Blazers do not run the NBA,do not dictate another teams roster and do not decide which players are free to pursue their career,period.
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1-12-2009 @ 4:21PM
DP said...
you're wrong, Mr. G. - no one is trying to derail his "comeback". He voluntary entered the medical retirement process, and voluntarily agreed to its finding that he SHOULD not play (not "could" not play). His contract is being paid in full.
He changed his mind. Maybe he got bored, probably his agent was pushing him to make them both some more money. So the end result is that because he has changed his mind, Portland not only suffers cap problems but does not even get the benefit of trading him, or waiving him, or having him wash Paul Allen's car. Ridiculous.
Before we decide whether teams are being sincere in wanting Darius or are just trying to screw Portland, why don't we see if anyone offers Darius even a one-year contract? That will show that teams are truly interested in him, and have faith in his knee which no doctor has, and not just in the $200K they'll get from putting Portland over the cap.
1-12-2009 @ 5:56PM
MACKAVELI THA DONN said...
I HAVE BEEN READING THE COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC AND WHO THE HELL IS PORTLAND ??? THEY HAVENT WON A CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE BILL WALTON MAURICE LUCAS WHAT HELL UMMM DID THEY EVEN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR ???? SO TELL ME WHY ARE THEY ACTTIN LIKE THEIR THE MOST HATED TEAM IN THE NBA AND EVERYBODY IS OUT TO GET THEM ??? FACE IT PORTLAND YOU GOT PLAYED MAN UP PAY DARIUS HIS MONEY AND MOVE ON AND FOR THE RECORD DARIUS WAS GONNA BE ON THE CELTICS IF HE DIDNT FAIL THAT DRUG TEST SO AT LEAST ONE TEAM WANTED HIM FOR AT LEAST A YEAR
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