<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The new point guards were at the Grizzlies Academy and handing out their first assists in Memphis. Damon Stoudamire and Bobby Jackson were passing out backpacks to high school students and, best of all, learning on the fly, changing their games as needed. One kid didn't want a green backpack, he wanted a camouflage backpack; so Jackson adjusted, delivered the right one in just the right way. One girl didn't want an orange backpack, she wanted a pink backpack; so Stoudamire passed her the right one -- not too hard, not too soft. See, this is why Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello already loves these guys. "They'll both play a ton of minutes," Fratello said. Which isn't to say their arrival in Memphis comes without questions. In fact, when they walked into the first classroom that day at the Grizzlies Academy, civil rights pioneer Maxine Smith was seated just inside the doorway and she couldn't help but notice that Jackson and Stoudamire probably don't shop at the same place as new teammate Eddie Jones. "Are these young men tall enough to play?" Smith said to no one in particular, but loud enough for all to hear. Yes, that is the doubt -- spoken and unspoken -- that has shadowed Jackson and Stoudamire all their lives. In tiny high school gyms. In big college arenas. In the bright lights of the NBA. Jackson is 6-1 and 185, but his bald head makes him look even shorter and stouter. Stoudamire is listed as 5-10 and 174, but takes pride in confessing he's really 5-9 in his bare feet. He also heard Maxine Smith's question, which, while framed with a sweet smile, still carried some bite. "That always keeps you going," Stoudamire said later with a smaller, and slightly crooked smile. "Even though she was saying it in fun." </div> Source
