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West Signs with GrizzliesThe Grizzlies finally won. Known primarily for their failure to survive in Vancouver and for compiling the worst record of any team to last five or more seasons, the Grizzlies today will tap into the expertise of Jerry West, the NBA's literal and figurative symbol of excellence, league sources said Monday. West, an Olympic and NBA champion as a player and the architect of two Lakers championship eras, will sever four decades of ties to Los Angeles to become Memphis' president of basketball operations. The Grizzlies announced plans to hold "a special press conference to make a significant announcement" today, though no further information was available from the organization. West has been regarded as one of the league's best judges of talent and deal making and is known for being painstakingly deliberate in his decision-making and remarkably competitive. Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Hawks Will Survive Without WestThere is no denying the feeling of a loss now that Jerry West has chosen to run the Memphis Grizzlies over the Atlanta Hawks. But, under the surface, it’s not nearly a hefty blow. Whereas the arrival of West in Memphis signifies a revamping and rebuilding of a front office and a franchise, he would likely have been a mere addition had the long time Laker chosen to move into CNN Center. Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Walkin' in Memphis: West Joins GrizzMJ in a Wizards uniform. Hakeem suiting up for the Raptors. Ewing in anything other than orange and blue. Now after 40 years in various capacities with the Lakers, Jerry West is taking the reigns of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will announce the hiring of West as the team's president of basketball operations Tuesday, ESPN's David Aldridge reports. A news conference is planned for 3:30 p.m. ET in Memphis, and according to Chris Broussard of the New York Times West is expected to receive a multi-year deal reportedly worth $5 million to $8 million per year. West will take over a rebuilding situation in Memphis with hopes of turning a franchise considered the worst in the NBA since entering the league in 1995. He will hope to quickly transform the Grizzlies in a similar fashion that he did the Lakers in 1996 when he signed Shaquille O'Neal and traded Vlade Divac for high schooler Kobe Bryant in the same off season. But those Lakers had history and glamour behind them as drawing cards, all Memphis has is.. well.. West and the franchise-best 23-59 record it earned this season. West will not actually start with nothing. He will have a high draft pick, providing the Grizzlies do not drop to sixth (the lowest they can drop to – need Chicago, Golden State and themselves to all fall out of the top three). He also has Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol, the Spanish sensation who stunned the NBA this year with his well rounded play, and fellow All-Rookie first teamer Shane Battier. With West now aboard current team president Dick Versace will now become the team's General Manager, slotting into the place vacated by the firing of Billy Knight earlier this month. Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Grizzlies Apr 2002 Archive
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