Hollins’ approach works for Grizzlies
As a lifelong Memphian and huge Grizzlies fan, I believe the new Memphis Grizzlies ownership group suffers from the same delusion that is affecting our society as a whole — a society in which everyone is looking for a shortcut versus hard work, believing they are smarter than their competitors (i.e. analytics).
Lionel Hollins believes in hard work, accountability and being unselfish. To many people, those qualities are oldfashioned. The only thing the Grizzlies have accomplished with those qualities has been continued improvement and success. I find it ironic that the qualities Hollins is criticized for, including his managing by feel, are the same values which Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs possesses. It seems as though it has worked pretty well for San Antonio. If it all boils down to analytics and computer analysis, why employ a coach at all? Simply run a computer simulation and hand out the game plan to the players.
I hope that the Grizzlies do not lose our greatest asset, Coach Hollins.
I appreciate your June 6 letter writer’s sympathy for our garbage collectors (“Workers earn their pay”), but I fear it’s misplaced. Aren’t these the union members who get to go home as soon as they finish their routes, and who as a result often race sloppily through their job, leaving our garbage cart across the street? We taxpayers can’t afford to shell out for a full day’s work and get only a half day. It’s time to put outsourcing back on the table. If they do, then they are not telling the truth.
I have been a city manager and public works director, and have held other management positions within municipalities, and I am stating a fact when I say that these elected officials do not care. In the meetings they look very well concerned about all the problems and situations in their districts and the city as a whole. But once they leave the meeting, their concern is nowhere in their minds. Making promises that cannot be kept or that they won’t even try to keep is a virus that will never be controlled.
I guess Frayser really is just a stepchild when it comes to Memphis. Thanks to Dave Brown for keeping us informed; otherwise, we’d never know what hit us.
I strongly believe that this is a turning point for Millington that will have a huge impact on the city. A quality education system not only creates a solid foundation for our children’s future, but is also important for Millington property values and economic development.
I hope that even those who don’t have school-age children will recognize the need to get to the polls on July 16 and vote yes for Millington schools. This is our time to stand up for Millington children and many more children to come.