<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Damon Stoudamire's agent was doing the negotiating for the free-agent guard's future. The options were narrowing to a few teams and Stoudamire hadn't even considered the Grizzlies. But as agent Aaron Goodwin began talking to Griz president Jerry West, Stoudamire talked to former NBA star Terrell Brandon. "It's really funny," Stoudamire said, unleashing a healthy laugh, "how this all happened." He trusted what Brandon had to say about Griz coach Mike Fratello. He trusted what Goodwin received from Griz president Jerry West. When a decision was needed in an instant, Stoudamire chose Memphis over Houston, Indiana and Miami. The Griz sure are tickled to employ a serious and solid point guard. Stoudamire may not enter tonight's game against his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, with eye-popping numbers. But he has no regrets after leaving his hometown as a free agent to join the Griz on a blind leap of faith. "Obviously, I was recruited by teams that were more attractive," Stoudamire said with no qualms over passing on championship contenders. "But I wanted to come into a situation where I was still going to be looked upon as someone being a piece of the puzzle for a team that's trying to get to the next step. "Maybe I won't be here when they make the ultimate leap. But I sure want to leave here believing I had a hand in helping this team reach some of the goals they're trying to reach." If you are judging Stoudamire on his second-lowest career averages of 9.9 points and 4.6 assists then you don't understand why he no longer answers to Mighty Mouse. They call him "Bigs" in these parts. Fratello and West nabbed Stoudamire with a four-year deal starting at $3.75 million because of what they wanted in a replacement for Jason Williams. Job qualifications called for a high basketball IQ, all-around ability and leadership without complications. "He has made some big decisions for us," Fratello said. "He's a veteran guy who thinks the game and wants to keep getting better. So we're fortunate." More than anyone would know. Because Stoudamire didn't talk to West or Fratello until after making the commitment, he relied heavily on Brandon's recommendation. Brandon painted Fratello as demanding but someone who could help hone skills. "I figured that (Brandon's) two best seasons were under Mike. He was a two-time all-star for Mike," Stoudamire said. "One thing that Terrell told me is that Mike was a particular coach and he cares a lot about the little things. He said that's what made him better. And even though I'm 32, I'm still trying to get better." </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">When a decision was needed in an instant, Stoudamire chose Memphis over Houston, Indiana and Miami. </div> Stoudamire is stupid. I love the man's game, but I really used to believe that it was every player's dream to simply compete for a championship. Not compete for the playoffs. The NBA takes up a bigger part of the year than the offseason, but players would rather have money to enjoy their offseason which is only a couple months. He isn't a franchise player, and Memphis won't be a contender for years. I don't really get why this article is praising him for his choice.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jurassic:</div><div class="quote_post">Stoudamire is stupid. I love the man's game, but I really used to believe that it was every player's dream to simply compete for a championship. Not compete for the playoffs. The NBA takes up a bigger part of the year than the offseason, but players would rather have money to enjoy their offseason which is only a couple months. He isn't a franchise player, and Memphis won't be a contender for years. I don't really get why this article is praising him for his choice.</div> I guess you would know who is stupid huh? It shows the some people out there, would rather go to a good organization, rather then practically prostituting themselves to get on a good team, that could win. (Malone, 'Zo, Payton, and many others.) The Griz are play off bound, I can guarantee you that. This is a great orginization, and he came here because of that. He left Toronto because it was a really messed up orginization, I think that would be apparent with our following soap opera's.
It's good to see good players signing for mediocre teams rather then jumping onto the bandwagons when they're on the rise. I really respect Stoudamire for doing this. It really sets the league in more of a equilibrium then having a team that dominates the league. I rather have a competitive league to watch. So yea, props to guys like Stoudamire, Iverson and co. for sticking with their teams.
