A Fond Farewell and a not-so-Warm Greeting

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Elizabeth Smith

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Trade. That one word strikes various emotions in fans of sports teams. Emotions ranging from trepidation to anger to happiness abound. On Tuesday the Memphis Grizzlies traded Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes to the Miami Heat for Mario Chalmers and James Ennis. GrizzNation was extremely opinionated about the trade.

Mixed Reactions:

James Ennis is a nice project player for the Grizz. Memphis gave up upside in Stokes but got great value back in return. Advantage, MEM.

— Christian Dudley (@ChristianDudley) November 11, 2015

This could happen: "Checking in for the Grizzlies, Mario Chalmers"-@RickTrotter, *dead silence at @FedExForum*

— Uncle P (@badunclep) November 11, 2015

For better or for worse, when both fanbases think they're getting ripped off, usually a sign of a fair trade. https://t.co/s4ujLjjiHb

— Kevin Lipe (@FlyerGrizBlog) November 11, 2015

#TheMoreYouKnow https://t.co/b7pL43ngxT

— Joe Mullinax (@JoeMullinax) November 10, 2015

The only way, & I mean ONLY way, I'll immediately embrace Chalmers is if the 1st thing he says here is: "It's-A-ME! Mario…. CHALMERS!"

— NBKay (@KateeForbis) November 11, 2015

To be clear, I don't think a single person will stop supporting the Griz because Beno is gone and Mario is here.

— Geoff Calkins (@geoff_calkins) November 10, 2015

The hidden gem in the trade could be James Ennis. Grizzlies desperately in need of a young wing. Ennis still only 25 years old.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 10, 2015

I do worry about the economic impact this deal could have on Andy and Michael over at @hogandhominy

— Chris Herrington (@HerringtonNBA) November 10, 2015

Big shout out to @BenoUdrih1 for truly #Choosing901 during his time here! Wishing him the very best!

— Tabbi Joy (@tabnmem) November 11, 2015

No one else got traded while I was out picking up the kids from school did they?

— Aimee (@MamaHellCat) November 10, 2015

.@ChrisVernonShow is breaking my heart with this @BenoUdrih1 play-by-play montage! Farewell, #midrangemarauder #19

— Rick Trotter (@RickTrotter) November 11, 2015

Disgruntled Grizz Fans:

‘I’m so done with the Grizzlies. I said if they traded Beno I would be done. I have no desire as a fan anymore. Miami Heat welcome your newest fan.’

‘Y’all happy we got Chalmers???😂😂😂😂 if we support dumbass trades like this then the organization will keep making them. Dude is not going to help us on either end of the court no more than Beno did…smh.’

‘Damn. Beno can score and everybody in Memphis hates Chalmers! Don’t mess up the locker room!’

‘Brace your self Grizzlies fan I see rough times ahead….with the front office trading for Mario Chalmers its clear that they know nothing about talent and that the city hates this guy…’

‘shoots a career of like nine percent from three he’s garbage he won two titles with lebron and I think Beno is also a champion I’ll look it up’

‘He’s never been a good defensive player and he’s not good for our team at all he’s younger yeah but he’s not tougher or better than Beno.yeah he has rings but i would have if i played with d wade and LeBron’

‘He sucks’

‘Not Grizz material’

‘We traded Stokes? Wow. Stokes will be an All Star in a few years. Watch.’

‘I’m still kinda salty towards Mario Chalmers, but I fail to see the harm in this trade. How is he not an upgrade from Beno? We shall see. I do feel that we should’ve kept Stokes, but if we’re not going to play him, might as well let him go.’

As you can see, opinions run the gamut. Regardless of personal opinions, the trade is done, so the only thing we can do is make the best of it. We’ll have to just see how this all shakes out, but in the meantime we must say goodbye to Udrih and Stokes and hello to Chalmers and Ennis.

Fond Farewells

Beno Udrih came into Memphis as a castoff from the Knicks. In time, he earned the respect of Grizz fans for his heart, his optimism, his adoption of Memphis, and the way he bought into the culture of the team and city.

"Patience is not the ability to wait,but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting" #BelieveMemphis #GNG #HardWorkPaysOff

— Beno Udrih (@BenoUdrih1) November 10, 2015

@BenoUdrih1 on the job #GrizzCares #GrizzCommunity pic.twitter.com/S5oPkvwKPx

— All Heart (@AllHeartInHoopC) October 19, 2015

There was also this…

and this…

Homegrown Memphis product Jarnell Stokes didn’t get much time with the Grizzlies on the court. He bounced back and forth from the DLeague to Memphis. When the Grizz jumped all in on JaMychal Green, Stokes was left out in the cold regions of the rotation. Hopefully he will grow into a serviceable player in the league.

We’re left with some fond memories of Summer League from Stokes…

as well as his community ties…

#GrizzCares #GrizzCommunity pic.twitter.com/tZ3mHy1mli

— All Heart (@AllHeartInHoopC) October 19, 2015

If you really want to cry…

Miami HEAT newcomer @jarnellstokes meeting Pat Riley during this morning's team shootaround! pic.twitter.com/Uss6fbd7aZ

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 12, 2015

To the Memphis Grizzlies organization I want to say thank you for taking a chance on me and for… https://t.co/5l2TlcNFwp

— Beno Udrih (@BenoUdrih1) November 12, 2015

We’ll miss you both and GrizzNation wishes you the best in the future!

?Warm? Greetings

When word broke that Mario Chalmers and James Ennis are now Memphis Grizzlies, the reactions from Miami Heat fans and media were also varied…

@mchalmers15 #ThankYouRio pic.twitter.com/cNUy5iJfAH

— We Fight! (@MiamiFights) November 11, 2015

@mchalmers15 #HeatNation is going to miss you. 8 years and 2 rings later. @MiamiHEAT family for life. GL in Memphis!

— Ira Marcus (@IraMarshall) November 11, 2015

My face when I found out @mchalmers15 FINALLY got traded pic.twitter.com/QPCT7FE7rO

— Wild Wild Seth (@SpikeReed) November 11, 2015

Updated Mario Chalmers trade story, with Pat Riley saying what happened, why it happened and how it happened. https://t.co/gkbxKhUP7f

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) November 11, 2015

Bottom line is Mario Chalmers was expendable, not essential, on roster. Question is was he worth his portion of tax burden? Obviously not.

— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) November 10, 2015

The trade is no indictment on Chalmers. He is what he is. Been that way, for better or worse, for yrs. Could really be decent fit in Memphis

— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) November 10, 2015

Freshly traded Mario Chalmers and James Ennis sitting behind Grizzlies' bench for tonight's game against Warriors. pic.twitter.com/w9VaAM7Z2L

— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) November 12, 2015

Asked flatly of Udrih and Stokes will be staying with the #Heat Spoelstra said "Yes."

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) November 10, 2015

I hesitate to even post this but if you wonder why many Memphis fans are so upset about Mario Chalmers…

Wondering how Memphis will welcome Mario Chalmers, because of this… https://t.co/OUSn44wiKj

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) November 10, 2015

Chalmers spent eight years with Miami and won two rings with them. So far this season he is averaging 5.5ppg shooting 31.2% and is a blistering ice-cold 9.1% from beyond the arc. He is thought to be a good fit to play alongside Mike Conley.

James Ennis spent 2 years with Miami. This season he has only played in 3 games for Miami for 7.4 minutes. In the 2014-15 season, he averaged 5ppg 40.9% shooting. He is actually an intriguing part of the trade and has been said to be a sneaky good prospect.

Regardless of how fans feel about the trade, it’s done and we have to make the best of it. Welcome to Memphis Mario Chalmers and James Ennis. We Grind Here. We’re looking forward to seeing if you’re up for the challenge.