Stoudamire goes east after eight seasons with Blazers

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2126540

Stoudamire goes east after eight seasons with Blazers
Associated Press
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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.

Damon Stoudamire
Stoudamire

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'm not real sure that Damon will help the Griz other than to give them a PG to throw out there... oh well, I guess we'll see...

In my basketball keeper league, I just drafted this guy. With 5 keepers and in the 3rd round, I took him. 11 teams are in the league. I think he'll do great things in Memphis. 3's galore and maybe he'll have a few double digit assists games.

He should of left Portland like 8 seasons ago

Stoudy's unpredictable. I loved him when he came out of the Guard Factory, Arizona. At Toronto, he was awesome .. 20 ppg, 8 dimes .. but he's never been the same. His percentages are all over the place.. inconsistent..

I had him on my Atlanta Hawks team in NBA Live 2005. Brought him over in a trade that landed me Darius Miles and Qyntel Woods, too. Miles is a solid starter at SG, Woods is usually my 6th man, and Stoudy is .. has .. been traded .. away. Heh. He wore a Hawk's uniform for like, a week. Too short. Not a good enough shooter. Average passing. Shabby defense.