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As of now, Neumann remains in Europe, where his most recent stint as a head coach came for the Romanian national team. But that organization is 31/2 months behind in paying him and won't respond to his e-mails, he said. "This has really financially, you know, almost busted me," he said. Tiberiu Rist, a spokesman for the Romanian national team, said Neumann's future with that organization will be decided in a board meeting in the coming weeks. But before Neumann can commit to returning to Memphis, he needs to find employment. For one, he said he's reached out to Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, who, for obvious reasons, isn't hiring. He knows he could coach. He thinks he could broadcast. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Michael Heisley, Johnny Neumann 

Had Neumann's career stayed on a typical path from there, maybe he wouldn't have felt how he does. Instead, Neumann left Ole Miss at the age of 19, signed a contract with Memphis' ABA team and embarked on a spotty seven-season career in the ABA and, after its merger, the NBA. But his career never fulfilled the promise that his one year at Ole Miss seemed to indicate would come. "I didn't reach the potential that I should have reached," Neumann said. "I don't want to sound arrogant or whatever, but God blessed me with more ability than all of them. I had it, but then I partied, I didn't train, and I was still good enough to play." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Michael Heisley, Johnny Neumann