Hmm, gotta question Jerry West about this signing

[Guest_Randy]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Memphis Grizzlies, who unloaded Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells through trades earlier this week, announced Friday that they have signed guard Damon Stoudamire to a four-year deal.
The 10-year veteran spent the past eight seasons in Portland, and Stoudamire is coming off his best season with the Trail Blazers averaging 15.8 points per game, 457 field goals made, 181 3-pointers and a 91.5 percent free throw percentage. He also averaged a team-high 5.7 assists in 81 games.
Stoudamire also ranked fourth among NBA leaders in free throw percentage and was tied for fifth with Paul Pierce with two triple-doubles.
"Damon is an experienced veteran and proven leader on the court," said Jerry West, the Grizzlies' president of basketball operations. "We feel we have added a significant player to our team and know that he will help take us to a different level than where we are today."
The 5-foot-10, 171-pound Stoudamire was a first-round draft pick by Toronto in 1995 and was the 1996 rookie of the year. He played 200 games with Toronto before being traded to Portland 49 games into the 1997-98 season.
He left Portland ranked second behind Terry Porter for career 3-pointers made (717) and attempted (1,998) and third all-time in assists with 3,018. In 46 playoff appearances, Stoudamire has averaged 11.3 points, 5 assists and 3.3 rebounds.

I can't say that I think this makes Memphis a better team -- Damon's play over the last few years has been so up and down you never know which Damon is coming to play!  I know the PG position is tough to fill these days but I have to say that I think Earl Watson is a better PG than Damon Stoudamire (these days he seems to be a better 2 guard than a PG and he's WAYYY too short to play the 2 guard position).

And I wonder how much they paid him?

[jn]

Agreed Randy.  I don't forsee a change of scenery making a big difference in Damon's game.  

I hear the Wolves are interested in Watson.  I would love to add him to shore up the defense at the point.  

[Skandery]

Replacing Hudson with Watson is a monumental leap forward on the defensive side at PG, jn.      

[Joe Vancil]

When Portland first got Stoudamire, my words were "Portland just won themselves a championship."  I was very high on Stoudamire's passing and ability to score at the point.

What happened to him once he got to Portland, I'm not sure.  I know he sprained an ankle, but apparently his rehab for the injury just resulted in a need for a different kind of rehab.  He battled every year for a starting job that he should have won with his play the year before outright, but kept turning mediocre season after mediocre season - justifying considering his replacement.

Will a change make a difference?  Absolutely.

Will it make enough of a difference to justify signing Damon Stoudamire for four years?  I'm skeptical - especially since he'll have to fight Bobby Jackson for the starting job.

 

[Joe Vancil]

jn and Skander,

Agreed.  Hudson for Watson defensively is a great deal.

The problem is that means you really need to ship one of your point guards out.  And, if it were me, I'd be looking at shipping out both Cassell *AND* Hudson.

If you could get Payton or some other starter-worthy point guard to sign, and then ship Cassell/Hudson out - say to Houston, who needs a point guard - for someone like Jim Jackson, you could make several upgrades and add depth.

[westkoast]

Four years?  At this stage in Damon's career?  Ehhhh.  Even I have to question Jerry on this one.

[Skandery]

People are acting like this guy didn't score 54 points in one game and two triple doubles last year.  Damon doesn't suck.  Is he going to be 20 and 8, NO, but I hardly think 4 years is outrageous since the guy is coming off the best year he ever had in Portland.

[Guest_Randy]

jn and Skander,

Agreed.  Hudson for Watson defensively is a great deal.

The problem is that means you really need to ship one of your point guards out.  And, if it were me, I'd be looking at shipping out both Cassell *AND* Hudson.

If you could get Payton or some other starter-worthy point guard to sign, and then ship Cassell/Hudson out - say to Houston, who needs a point guard - for someone like Jim Jackson, you could make several upgrades and add depth.

Hey, Joe, JJ (Jimmy Jackson) isn't in Houston anymore -- remember, he got traded to NO (and wouldn't show up) and then released and signed with Phoenix!

[Joe Vancil]

I knew that.  That has to go down as brain-dead comment of the day.  My bad, folks.
 

[westkoast]

People are acting like this guy didn't score 54 points in one game and two triple doubles last year.  Damon doesn't suck.  Is he going to be 20 and 8, NO, but I hardly think 4 years is outrageous since the guy is coming off the best year he ever had in Portland.

I dont think anyone thinks that he sucks but he def is at the tail end of his career.   My question is why 4 years?

[Skandery]

I dont think anyone thinks that he sucks but he def is at the tail end of his career. My question is why 4 years?

Why not?

He is about to turn 33 here in a couple of weeks.  I'm guessing he'll continue to be starter-worthy or sixth man level productive for about two years.  After that he can be relegated to the bench to start showing some new kid the ropes.    

[Guest_Randy]

My only problem with Damon is where do you start him?  If you start him at PG, the team struggles because he doesn't move the offense -- he stagnates it -- if you play him at SG, the other team has a tremendous advantage at the other end of the court.  He experienced greater success in Portland when he played the two guard -- but that gives the other team an advantage.

Of course, he USED to be a very good passer -- is that an issue that had to do with Portland or is it with Damon?  

All I know is that he should return the nic "Mighty Mouse" -- Mighty Mouse is one of my favorite cartoon characters growing up and I don't think he has lived up to his name!

[westkoast]

I dont think anyone thinks that he sucks but he def is at the tail end of his career. My question is why 4 years?

Why not?

He is about to turn 33 here in a couple of weeks.  I'm guessing he'll continue to be starter-worthy or sixth man level productive for about two years.  After that he can be relegated to the bench to start showing some new kid the ropes.

Because his play over the past 2 years has dropped off from where it was when Portland was still a top team in this league.   Why would you sign someone at 33 for 4 years when their current track record shows they havent been a solid, 82-game producer in a couple years?

edit: its been last 3 or so years and he was injured for most of the season 3 years ago.

[Skandery]

Because I think they wanted to outbid Houston, and 4 years was probably what they were cornered into accepting to nab a legitimate starting Point Guard.  I mean after Damon who're you really left with.  Marco - a combo guard with a history of injury demanding a six year deal?  I don't think so.  Payton - he'd be nice to have but if 4 years is too long for Damon, its eons too long for Gary.

And Randy, I don't think Damon will stagnate that offense anymore than Mike Fratello will.  What a bad coach.  I think Memphis' chance at long-term legitimacy went with Hubie's health.    

[westkoast]

Because I think they wanted to outbid Houston, and 4 years was probably what they were cornered into accepting to nab a legitimate starting Point Guard.  I mean after Damon who're you really left with.  Marco - a combo guard with a history of injury demanding a six year deal?  I don't think so.  Payton - he'd be nice to have but if 4 years is too long for Damon, its eons too long for Gary.

And Randy, I don't think Damon will stagnate that offense anymore than Mike Fratello will.  What a bad coach.  I think Memphis' chance at long-term legitimacy went with Hubie's health.

Good point.   Pretty hard to argue that one.  Bastard