ByeBye Stoudamire

It's been a long time coming. The Grizzlies officially bought out Damon Stoudamire's contract.

Stoudamire was by all accounts a consummate professional even while being relegated to the bench. It's sad to see him go - not because the Grizzlies should have kept him. I've said all along they should have traded him. (ie here and here)

It's sad because Stoudamire is a reminder of the Grizzlies swift decline from up-and-coming to down-and-out. (For details, see here.) Stoudamire was the one free agent that chose Memphis. Yes, he was on the downside of his career, and yes, he had few options. Still he did have options (including Houston), but he saw an opportunity to start at point guard and lead a middle of the pack playoff team - in Memphis - to its first playoff victory.

Unfortunately, with everything working according to plan, Stoudamire went down with a season ending and career altering injury. The Grizzlies were off to a promising start that was abruptly halted when their floor general was taken down. I guess that's the risk you take when you invest in a veteran player, and I'm sure no one is more disappointed than Stoudamire himself that it didn't work out.

So I'm glad Stoudamire is getting another chance. I'm sad it didn't work out the way everyone planned and hoped. I'm disappointed that another Grizzlies investment has turned into a buyout with the Grizzlies getting nothing (save PR and high marks from players) in return. (Didn't Heisley say he wasn't ever going to buyout a contract after Eddie Jones?) Finally, I'm embarrassed that it took me over a year to learn how to spell his name correctly.