Jerry West Signs Two-Year Extension

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.”

Via Press Release

Memphis Grizzlies

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West Agrees To 2-Year Extension

Jerry West has agreed to a 2-year contract extension as President of Basketball Operations with the Memphis Grizzlies, ESPN's Jim Gray reports.

West, 67, was entering his final year with the Grizzlies.

West, a Hall of Famer who has won NBA titles with the Lakers as a coach and an executive, has been with the Grizzlies since 2002. He was general manager of the Lakers from 1982 through 1994 and executive vice president from 1994 through 2000, winning eight titles with the team as a consultant or executive.

Via ESPN

Memphis Grizzlies

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Griz European Camp A Possibility

The Grizzlies have played exhibition games outside the continental U.S. on two occasions over the past three years.

Although a decision is far from final, they could spend most of the 2006 training camp far away from Memphis.

Earlier this year, NBA commissioner David Stern revealed plans to have four or five NBA teams hold training camp in Europe. The league has since surveyed its teams and received great interest from those willing -- including the Grizzlies -- to conduct a camp overseas.

Stern already suggested Paris and Barcelona as prime locations because of their professional basketball-quality operations and facilities. The Grizzlies could then become attractive because of Spaniard Pau Gasol. San Antonio, with French guard Tony Parker, reportedly is another interested team.

Memphis and San Antonio met in Paris during the 2003 exhibition schedule.

European training camps could last 5-to-10 days next year.

Via Memphis Commercial-Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs

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