Commercial Appeal Grizzlies majority owner Michael Heisley visited training camp Tuesday, and squelched speculation about Jerry West's future. Heisley said interested observers should focus on "when" not "if" the team will finalize a contract extension for West, who is entering the final season of a four-year deal. "I expect to have a contract with Jerry in the very near future," Heisley said. "I think he'll be here for a good while." Heisley confirmed that both sides have discussed securing West's services for more than just one additional season. West would run the Grizzlies as long as Heisley owns the team if the Chicago-based billionaire had his way. "That's something important we're still working on -- how many years Jerry wants to put in there (the contract)," Heisley said. "But like I've said before, Jerry will be here as long as he wants to be here no matter what a contract says. The deal only needs legal and normal business punctuation, according to Heisley. Any suggestion that they can't agree on specific terms would be false, Heisley said. Source
And it became official today. The great man will run the organisation for a further 2 years. ---------- Jerry West Signs Two Year Contract Extension with the Grizzlies Memphis, Tennessee, October 31, 2005 ? The Memphis Grizzlies today announced that President of Basketball Operations Jerry West has signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the organization through 2008. West first joined the Grizzlies as president of basketball operations on April 30, 2002, returning to basketball after a retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, where he served as a player, coach and an executive for 19 years. ?I am very proud of what we have done here in such a short time,? said West. ?I am thrilled to be able to stay on, and continue to build a winning franchise for Memphis. The support this city and our fans have shown the Grizzlies made my decision to stay in Memphis an easy one. Memphis deserves a championship team, and I am committed to that goal.? Under West?s guidance, the Grizzlies have retooled their roster leading to two playoff appearances, while re-writing the franchise?s record books. During the 2003-04 season, the Grizzlies went from being a 28-win team to winning a franchise record 50 games, and earning the first playoff berth in franchise history. The story-book season earned West the NBA?s Executive of the Year award, garnering the award for the second time in his career. ?What Jerry has done is more than build a winning team, he has built a franchise for Memphis,? said team majority owner Michael Heisley. ?This franchise embodies winning, character and determination. With Jerry at the helm, the city and the organization can together expect a winning future, both on and off the court.? Last season, West?s third with the organization, the Grizzlies won 45 games and earned their second consecutive playoff spot. During the off-season, West added veteran leadership with the addition of Eddie Jones through a five-team trade, the biggest trade in NBA history. He also traded for veteran Bobby Jackson, and acquired guard Damon Stoudamire through free agency. In addition to bringing in talented players, West has also proven he has an eye for leadership. West hired Hubie Brown out of retirement in 2002, and lured current head coach Mike Fratello away from the broadcast booth in 2004.
He's the worst thing that has happened to the team since Steve Francis. How can anyone possibly still call him a good General Manager? Is drafting Kobe really worth this much attention? He's been horrible at trading, drafting, and signing ever since he came to Memphis, and I was going to be incredibly relieved when he left. Now I've got to put up with another two years of his stupidity? Great...
