Breaking News: Memphis Grizzlies Fire Fratello

From the Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis, Tennessee - December 28, 2006 - Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today that Mike Fratello has been relieved of his head coaching duties.

Fratello led Memphis to a 95-83 record after he was hired on December 2, 2004 as the Grizzlies' seventh head coach in team history. He led the Grizzlies to two postseason appearances, and became the franchise's all-time winningest head coach in April. This season, Fratello led the Grizzlies to a 6-24 record.

"I'd like to thank Mike for the contributions he made to the Grizzlies organization," said West. "He is a great coach and friend, and he did an outstanding job guiding this team to two playoff appearances in Memphis. We just felt it was time to make a change and move in a different direction based on our record and future goals. We wish Mike the best in his future endeavors."

"I would like to thank Michael Heisley and Jerry West for the opportunity to come to Memphis and be a part of the Grizzlies organization," said Fratello. "I came here a little more than two years ago, and in my first season inherited a 5-11 team that we turned around to win 45 games and advance to the playoffs. We built on that record the following year to win 49 games and return to the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Unfortunately, this season has been one of disarray starting this past summer. I am sorry I have not been able to find a way up to this point to turn things around, and I understand why a change needs to be made. Things will get better with both an abundance of home games coming up and the eventual return of Lawrence Roberts and Kyle Lowry from their injuries."

"I would like to thank the many wonderful people I have met while in Memphis, both in basketball and around the community," continued Fratello. "I'd like to thank my staff and players for their hard work over the last two seasons. I wish them nothing but the best."

Fratello came to the Grizzlies as one of the NBA's most successful coaches in history, ranking 19th on the all-time wins list and 21st on the all-time games coached list when he joined the team. A 16-year coaching veteran, his teams have qualified for the NBA playoffs in 11 of his 16 seasons as a head coach. He earned his 600th career win as a head coach on March 4, 2005, only the 19th coach all-time to reach the 600-win plateau.

A search for an interim head coach will begin immediately.

Jerry West will meet with the media tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the press conference room at FedExForum.

Fund For The Dixon 2006

This is a good way to boost your tax returns in early 2007.

Restaurant Commentary: Nuvolari's - Mandeville, LA

For Christmas Eve dinner, my family went to Nuvolari's in Mandeville, LA. This was my first visit to this Italian restaurant in over five years. As always, the atmosphere and staff were excellent.

For appetizers, the table enjoyed crab cakes and potato gnocchi with a gorganzola cream sauce. Both were splendid. My main course was a pork osso bucco. The braised pork was tender and falling of the bone. I highly recommend it. Others at the table had pecan crusted chicken pasta, genoa shrimp and beef tornedos. All were very happy with the meal.

Although we had a wonderful bottle of 2002 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner, I was not impressed with the wine list. There were a couple of nice bottles on the list, but that was it. Otherwise, it was filled with a good bit of average wines.

Don't let the wine list keep you away, I still recommended Nuvolari's in Mandeville, LA. Located just minutes from the Northshore Lakefront, it would be a perfect place to enjoy a meal with your family or your significant other.

If you go, ask for Albert as your server.

It's Holiday Time

Christmas is only a couple of days a way. One of the best parts about the time of year is going to holiday parties. Time spent with co-workers, friends, free booze and food...what's not to love?

Over the past couple of weeks I made it to a few company holiday parties, the best being at Napa Cafe with NL's company. Great food and good wine. With her "Pass The Trash" gift exchange, I think we she came away with a wonderful knife set.

My office had an okay party, but it was hard to let loose on a Wednsday night. If held on a "school night," companies parties should come with an arrive late at work card for the next day. Otherwise, move the parties to a Friday night. I have no problems getting sauced up for free with co-workers on a Friday night and then going out after. Anyway, we had decent finger foods, an open bar and a Dirty Santa gift exchange. After my original gift was stolen (a back massager), I wound up with a glassware set of 6 pint glasses and 6 shot glasses. I'm fairly confident that these will come into use.

Christmas time wouldn't be complete without a holiday dinner party at a friend's house. I contributed 4 bottles of wine and some home made Italian rice balls to the gathering. The seven of us shared 6 bottles of wine and 5 bottle of champagne along with a tremendous meal of beef tenderloin and several side items. Needless to say, I was dying the next morning. Champagne is evil.

I'm glad this year's holiday parties were some what low key. I'm sure my body appreciates it. Little does my body know, I'm saving the best party for New Year's Eve.

Football is almost over...

With college football season coming to an end in a couple of weeks and the hectic planning period at work wrapping up, I will have more time to contribute random stuff to this so-called blog.

There is nothing too different going on in Memphis. The bar and club scene is relatively unchanged and there haven't been too many new restaurants that have opened lately. In other typical Memphis news, a member of the Ford family is under federal investigation, Rickey Peete is once again accepting bribes and Platinum Plus has temporarlily shut its doors.

Over the next couple of weeks look for commentaries on local eateries like Pita Wraps, Molly's, Hooters (Downtown vs Mt. Moriah) and New Orleans' Jackson. Plus its holiday time. I can't wait to share holiday office party stories.

More later...

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions Week of 12/4/06 (Final)

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions are published weekly to show a possible college football playoff format. Similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, 11 conference champions receive automatic bids. 5 additional spots are available for at-large bids.

Round 1 games would be hosted by the higher ranked seeds. Rounds 2 - 4 would incorporate the bowl system with host cities/bowls bidding to host the games. The "Big 4" BCS bowls would be permanent playoff hosts on a round-rotating basis (Championship, semi-finals and 1 round 2 game).

The playoff field for the week of 12/4/06 (Final):

1. Ohio State (Big 10 Champion)
2. Florida (SEC Champion)
3. Michigan (At Large Big 10)
4. Louisville (Big East Champion)
5. LSU (At Large SEC)
6. Oklahoma (Big 12 Champion)
7. Wisconsin (At Large Big 10)
8. USC (Pac 10 Champion)
9. Boise State (WAC Champion)
10. West Virginia (At Large Big East)
11. Arkansas (At Large SEC)
12. Wake Forest (ACC Champion)
13. BYU (MWC Champion)
14. Houston (CUSA Champion)
15. Central Michigan (MAC Champion)
16. Troy (Sunbelt Champion)

Dropped out: Rutgers (#11, At Large Big East)

Number Of Teams by Conference:
Big 10 (3), SEC (3), Big East (2), ACC (1), Big 12 (1), CUSA (1), MAC (1), MWC (1), Pac 10 (1), Sunbelt (1), WAC (1), Independent (0)

Match ups round by round assuming higher seeds win.

Round 1
(16) Troy vs (1) Ohio State
(9) Boise State vs (8) USC
(12) Wake Forest vs (5) LSU
(13) BYU vs (4) Louisville
(11) Arkansas vs (6) Oklahoma
(14) Houston vs (3) Michigan
(10 West Virginia vs (7) Wisconsin
(15) Central Michigan vs (2) Florida

Round 2
(8) USC vs (1) Ohio State
(5) LSU vs (4) Louisville
(6) Oklahoma vs (3) Michigan
(7) Wisconsin vs (2) Florida

Round 3
(4) Louisville vs (1) Ohio State
(3) Michigan vs (2) Florida

Championship Game
(2) Florida vs (1) Ohio State