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OK, maybe. But things were not well in Memphis with Pau Gasol. Sure, the Grizzlies made the playoffs three straight seasons (2003-06) -- but they hadn’t won a single stinking postseason game. Wallace, realizing perhaps his team had hit its ceiling, felt something must be done. “A couple of trends were occurring,” Wallace said. “When an expansion team gets off the ground (the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001), everyone’s behind you because you’re new. But after a few years, that wears off. That happened, and after 12 straight playoff losses …” FOXSportsOhio

Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Pau Gasol, Chris Wallace, Marc Gasol 

Ric Bucher: Third time's a charm for Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien. The former agent crossed over to a team front office with the Kings but eventually got squeezed out. Same happened with 76ers where, a source says, coach Doug Collins gave a him-or-me ultimatum. No word on what Levien did or if being bounced was justified, but HC Lionel Hollins and GM Chris Wallace are now officially Test Case #3. Sulia

Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Doug Collins, Lionel Hollins 

Levien reiterated during the public press conference that there are no current plans to replace any of the organization's top decision makers, instead suggesting that he and Pera's team would be evaluating what's already in place. “I know Chris [Wallace] and I have a lot of respect for Chris. I'm looking forward to sitting down with them in this process,” Levien said in regard to current vice president of basketball operations Chris Wallace, coach Lionel Hollins, and the rest of the basketball staff. Memphis Flyer

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins 

One name not mentioned was Daniel Straus, a New York-based founder and CEO of the health-care company CareOne. I had heard over the weekend that Straus would be part of the group and I spotted a jersey with his name displayed on a table when I entered the press conference, but he was not named and Levien declined afterward to confirm his participation. Memphis Flyer

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins 

Ronald Tillery: Unlike locals who shall remain nameless, the CA doesn't hold grudges. Heisley will have a full-page letter thanking the fans in the paper Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins 

Pera said he wants to make FedExForum the most technologically advanced arena in the country. He said he wants to use advanced analytics to evaluate players, like the sort used in "Moneyball." He said he wants to build a player-centric culture in Memphis, so players will think of Memphis as a destination. And, yes, at this last one, I rolled my eyes, too. But that's the thing about youth. It tends to dream big. That's supposed to be a good thing, isn't it? Besides, Pera doesn't come across as rash and impulsive, but thoughtful and deliberate. He picked Levien to essentially run the franchise, on the business and basketball sides. The two of them won't make any decisions about Chris Wallace, Greg Campbell or Lionel Hollins until they have a chance to see how the team operates. "We were focused on closing the deal," he said. "We want to learn more." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins, Robert Pera 

Memphis Grizzlies Chairman Robert Pera announced today that he has named seasoned sports executive Jason Levien as the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Memphis Basketball, LLC, which operates the Memphis Grizzlies and FedExForum. In this role, Levien will have leadership responsibility for the entire organization; serve as the ownership group's Managing Partner and as an Alternate NBA Governor. “Jason and I share a vision for building a world-class team on and off-the-court,” Grizzlies Chairman Robert Pera said. “He has my complete trust, confidence and support in how best to lead our organization's efforts." Sulia

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Robert Pera 

Levien will serve as CEO of Memphis Basketball LLC -- an entity that owns the Grizzlies and will operate FedExForum. Levien is expected to supplant general manager Chris Wallace as the primary decision maker for basketball decisions. "We haven't decided anything," Levien said Sunday in an interview with The Commercial Appeal. "We want to be thoughtful about it and respectful about it. We want to do what's best for the organization." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Robert Pera 

Wallace's role with the team has not been determined. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Robert Pera 

Among the highlights from the 45-minute interview with Pera and Levien: -- The group will get to know coach Lionel Hollins, who is in the final year of his contract, before acting on his future. Levien, the CEO and managing partner, will be over general manager Chris Wallace, and his exact role has not been determined. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins, Robert Pera 

Geoff Calkins: Jason Levien said that "from 30,000 feet," he admires work of Lionel Hollins. Some nights, I wish I were asking questions from there. Twitter @geoff_calkins

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins, Robert Pera 

Robert Pera saw how others handled their wealth once they become successful, spending it on new cars or multimillion dollar homes. Those things weren't for him. "For me, I just really like working," Pera said Sunday, in his first public comments since agreeing earlier this year to buy the Memphis Grizzlies. "And those things don't interest me that much. But being involved in the NBA, and potentially owning a team, that was a dream. Once I got to a position where that seemed possible, I started the process." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Robert Pera 

Pera, who wore jeans, Nikes and a hooded sweatshirt, said he looked at several teams before deciding to purchase the Griz. He and Levien visited Memphis on March 27, when the Griz played the Timberwolves, and Pera said he sensed the "energy" and the team's meaning to the city. That helped sell him not just on the team, but on its potential to make more of a connection, he said. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Robert Pera 

Geoff Calkins: Pera will buy a place in Memphis, not sure where. Didn't seem like he'll be at all that many games. "As many as possible." Twitter @geoff_calkins

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Robert Pera 

Sources told ESPN.com that Levien, who recently sold his stake in the Sixers to join Pera's ownership group, will take charge of basketball operations as well as the Grizzlies' business department. That means the former NBA agent and front-office executive with the Sacramento Kings, sources say, will have the ultimate say on personnel and on-court matters, overseeing Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace and coach Lionel Hollins. Hollins is in the final year of his contract after back-to-back trips to the playoffs. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, Jason Levien, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins, Robert Pera 

Peter Vecsey: Unsure if this is common knowledge but I'm told new Memphis owner had 90 days 2 decide whether 2 retain GM Chris Wallace. Closer to 80 now. Twitter @PeterVecsey1

Memphis Grizzlies, Chris Wallace 

Thoughts on trading forward Rudy Gay or using the NBA's amnesty provision to eliminate Zach Randolph's contract were prevalent. Management, however, never entertained the idea of a self-imposed implosion. "You have to be careful about giving up on talent if you don't reach a goal," general manager Chris Wallace said. "You have to be careful with voluntary rebuilding. You can wander in the desert for a long time when you voluntary rebuild." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Chris Wallace 

Geoff Calkins: (Chris) Wallace isn't perfect, of course. If he had listened to Tony Barone Sr., he wouldn't have traded Kevin Love for O.J. Mayo. Twitter @geoff_calkins

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, OJ Mayo, Kevin Love, Chris Wallace, Tony Barone 

Geoff Calkins: And if Wallace had listened to Tony Barone Jr., he wouldn't have drafted Thabeet. But the owner had a lot to do with that one. Twitter @geoff_calkins

Chris Wallace, Hasheem Thabeet, Owners, Tony Barone 

Black coaches would complain in the past that they never got a chance at high-profile good jobs, having to settle for first chances (sometimes, only chances) with bad teams. And after a bad year or two, they said, they'd get fired, and wouldn't get another shot. But that's changed in recent years. Hollins got a second shot in Memphis in 2009, after coaching the expansion Grizzlies in Vancouver, with a team of young, talented players. Drew took over in Atlanta for another African-American coach, Woodson, and inherited a playoff team. And Brown replaced Phil Jackson in Los Angeles last year. "From my standpoint, it's never been an issue," said Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace, who hired Hollins. "And what are the player ranks, 80? It's obviously natural then that you would have African-American coaches as well. We have a pretty healthy representation of former players that are head coaches at any given time." NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Chris Wallace, Lionel Hollins