Hoops

Chris Pongrass new Sydney Kings CEO

WTF are you on?

With large corporations, or in this case one controlled from America, who knows.

I've lost count of the number of times I've had to put up with bosses and other managers that were absolutely incompetent, but managed to convince the executive that they were doing a great job. I recall one recently, a manager was leaving and the company threw a nice lunch at a top restaurant. All the executives were there, they all thought this person was great. I was the only subordinate to show up, and honestly only because I forgot it was on and was caught out working in the office that day.

Point is, for all we know they have congratulated JVG on a job well done, and given him a promotion.

FWIW re: JVG, my seats are a little behind the Kings bench and JVG was a regular sight mingling and shaking hands for the first 2 years, but I don't remember seeing him at a game in months, at least.

Essentially Pongrass is one cog in a big machine, and he’s becoming the centerpiece of a small machine.

He'll need the right temperament, people management, leadership and broad commercial skillset. It's not everybody's cup of tea- many people are just more suited to his current type of role, and you don't necessarily know until you try.

For the Kings sake, hopefully he nails it.

#889 nailed it- great move for Pongrass.

but looking from the Kings perspective, is this the right move? He's got fairly limited experience, he's young. 2 and a half years as director of "basketball operations" in Memphis, and a bit of legal experience at Memphis and general legal before that. Is he ready for a full breadth CEO role of a medium sized organisation?

Clearly Kings have found faith in the guy. Time will tell.

"The question is, why would he leave a high paying job (presumably) in Memphis and then join the Sydney Kings?"

From what I hear the salaries of a lot of those guys with NBA teams (such as DBO roles) don't pay anywhere near as high as what people think.

It's a supply/demand thing I think. So many people want those types of roles that they can afford not to pay exuberant salaries. DBO role is quite senior but still, those roles can be filed from within easily enough.

From mid season if you believe the gossip

So was JVG essentially told to move on?

Googling the Pongrass name tells me that he probably didn't have too many troubles in school.

g-r Ass?

Must have had a fun time at school

Primary school holidays is it?

Pong-r Ass?

Must have had a fun time at school

Fair enough.

Well answered, let's hope you are right

Sorry I just saw that.

At least he would have an idea of the Australian market.

The question is, why would he leave a high paying job (presumably) in Memphis and then join the Sydney Kings?

Australian.

Is he Australian or American?

"In his new role, Pongrass will be responsible for managing all key functions of the Kings organisation including business operations, development, strategy and basketball operations. "
Sounds like his duties + CEO.

Clearly been planned for a long time.
"After an extensive search and interview process it was felt Chris was the best fit..."
THanks for the memories Jeff. Most of them shithouse.

Seems a strange move backwards from the NBA. I’m sure there is more to this, as would be irrational if it was only just job related

Well then.

No mention of JVG at all.

A 6'7" small forward and has been playing in the D-League and had a short stint in Italy. Never played in the NBA but did a preseason with Denver in 2010/11.

http://www.nbl.com.au/news/article/2012/august/taipans-complete-playing-roster-with-addition-of-shane-edwards-1/