<font size="1">(Sorry for being late on the news; I've been on vacation.)</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Memphis, Tennessee, June 24, 2004 ? The Grizzlies acquired the draft rights to 35th pick Andre Emmett from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for a second round pick in 2005 and cash considerations, and also acquired the draft rights to 36th pick Antonio Burks from the Orlando Magic in exchange for cash considerations. In addition, the Grizzlies selected Sergei Lishouk from Ukraine with the 49th pick in the NBA Draft. ?We are delighted to acquire what we perceive as two of the best athletes in the draft in Andre Emmett and Antonio Burks,? said Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West. ?As a staff, coaches included, we wanted athletes, and both Andre and Antonio are complete players. In Sergei we acquire a big forward who we feel will eventually be able to provide a rebounding presence for our team.? Burks, a Memphis native who attended Booker T. Washington High School and the University of Memphis, averaged 16.0 ppg and 5.5 apg as a senior with the Tigers, and averaged 11.2 ppg and 5.4 apg in his three-year career at the University of Memphis. He was named the Conference USA Player of the Year as a senior, and is only the fourth player in school history with 1,000 points, 450 assists and 170 steals, joining former Tigers Andre Turner, Elliot Perry and Otis Jackson. Burks ranks fifth all-time in steals (177) and sixth in assists (487), and led the team in assists in all three of his seasons at Memphis. </div> Link How would you grade the Grizzlies' draft? I'd give them a solid D, and that's only on potential. Once again Jerry West let me down. He went for the athletes who can't do much other than be athletic. The worst part of that to me was that I felt Sato was the best athlete in the draft, yet they passed on him for foreign talent. I can't really judge Lishouk because I haven't seen him play, and he won't be a Grizzlie for a few years. However, why trade for Emmett and Burks? Isn't our roster full enough? Do you think these guys will even make the roster? Personally, I don't like anything about Burks; from his off-the-court life to the way he plays. Emmett on the other hand is a great player and one of my favorites. However, he's like a Dahntay Jones clone. Do we really need another Dahntay Jones ridding the pine for years to come? What are everyones opinions on the matter?
