--Grizzlies teammates O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol were named to the rookie roster for the Rookie Challenge Feb. 13 at All-Star Weekend in Phoenix. Players were chosen by the NBA's assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.
--G Steve Francis was waived by the Grizzlies after reaching a buyout agreement. Francis, acquired from Houston in a Dec. 24 trade, never donned a Grizzlies uniform. Francis will become an unrestricted free agent after he clears waivers. --Kevin O'Neill, an assistant to former head coach Marc Iavaroni, was reassigned to the role of special assistant to the general manager Chris Wallace.
"Kevin O'Neill was instrumental in our draft preparations last year, which resulted in bringing O.J. Mayo and Darrell Arthur to the Grizzlies," Wallace said.
--The Grizzlies officially named former Los Angeles Clippers assistant Barry Hecker to Lionel Hollins' staff. Hecker spent 16 seasons with the Clippers.
--New coach Lionel Hollins is showing some old school discipline. He stopped the team from providing players with breakfast and lunch before and after practice.
"They're grown men," Hollins said. "It's not the team's responsibility to treat them like kids."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have to have much better effort, higher intensity, more pep in our step. Winning teams don't play at this pace. It is a long process, and we're building to find out who can play that way." -- New Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins.
