PG Position Battle Intrigues

Commercial Appeal

Competition and an instant oatmeal recipe are about the same when NBA training camps begin.

Neither takes long to brew.

Just add hot water -- or, in the Grizzlies' case, an excessive number of players at one position -- and mix.

The tightest logjam is at point guard, where a pair of veterans in Damon Stoudamire and Bobby Jackson are secure.

It's the duel playing out behind them that is worth keeping an eye on.

The late addition of point guard Anthony Roberson created what should quickly develop into a hot competition for the coaching staff to chew on daily.

Roberson and second-year player Antonio Burks are locked in a battle for the third-string job, with the loser likely destined for a NBADL assignment.

"I would think by the time everything settles it's going to be a very competitive situation," Griz coach Mike Fratello said. "They each do something different. When it plays out, it'll make for an interesting competition."

They each are highly motivated and confident, too.

Burks and Roberson should be. They both overcame adversity during the offseason and eventually strengthened the opinion Grizzlies brass has of their contrasting games.

After going undrafted, Roberson earned this opportunity by proving himself during the Grizzlies' summer league.

He shot the ball well, making the most of extended playing time by also firmly grasping Fratello's system.

"I played well," said Roberson, a Florida product. "I feel like I did the things they asked me to do. There were a lot of things up in the air (before summer league). I didn't know what to expect, but I'm here now. I play with confidence, and it's helped me along the way."

Burks indirectly helped Roberson, since Roberson's unexpected summer-league time on the court happened as a result of Burks's unavailability. Burks hardly played due to injury for a second straight summer.

Then, the Griz weren't convinced of Burks's commitment. That is, until Burks returned for September workouts having dropped weight (down from 210 pounds to 200) and impressed the coaches with his conditioning and prowess in pickup games.

"I really wasn't in real good shape last summer and this summer," Burks acknowledged. "But right now, I'm feeling a lot quicker, playing better defense and I'm just ready to show what I can do. I've got to make the team again, and as far as them going to get Roberson, you can look at that different ways. But all four of us point guards are good in our own way."

Stoudamire already has found the situation compelling to watch.

"Burks, he knows how to run a team," Stoudamire said. "He's great defensively, and he's a change-of-pace guard pushing the ball up the floor. Roberson is more of a spot-up shooter who can play off guys. He needs to learn the position more, but they both have great upside."

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