West stepping down from Grizzlies

[Pistons < Spurs]

NBA icon Jerry West says he will leave as the Memphis Grizzlies' director of basketball operations on July 1.

per ESPN

[Pistons < Spurs]

Jerry West will leave as the Memphis Grizzlies' director of basketball operations July 1, ending a five-year stint with the former expansion franchise.

West, one of the NBA's great players and executives with the Los Angeles Lakers, disclosed his plans Tuesday during an end-of-season meeting with reporters. The 68-year-old West had been under contract only through this season.

The Grizzlies (21-60) have the worst record in the league and their troubles on the court have been compounded by the possible sale of the club. West fired Mike Fratello in December and hired Tony Barone as an interim coach.

West, whose silhouette from his playing days is featured on the NBA logo, won eight NBA les as either a player, executive or consultant with the Lakers.

West startled the NBA in April 2002 by agreeing to come out of retirement and to take over in Memphis. He helped Memphis turn in record seasons and reach three straight playoffs but set a league record for 12 straight posteason losses.

[Medvedenko]

Come back Jerry...come back...

[BacktoBasics]

Surprised he wasn't willing to wait out the Oden sweepstakes. Its a lock now Griz get 1st pic in draft.

[mabber]

Surprised he wasn't willing to wait out the Oden sweepstakes. Its a lock now Griz get 1st pic in draft.

Uh, they have what is called a draft lottery. All the Griz have is a better chance than the other lottery teams.

[LakeShow]

Come back Jerry...come back...

It's time to bring Jerry back where he belongs. In LA!

[degenerate_gambler]

you have more bandwagoners in that pic than Lakers..

[LakeShow]

you have more bandwagoners in that pic than Lakers..

Thats what happens when you have the greatest Franchise in NBA history! They may have hopped on the bandwagon but they never got off. Most of them are still around supporting the Lakers.

[ducks]

west sucked with a salary cap

[JamStone]

West did not do well with Memphis. Damon Stoudamire was his big move a few years ago. He passed on Amare Stoudemire for Drew Gooden in 2002. In 2003, he traded for first round picks Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones. Troy Bell isn't in the NBA, and Dahntay Jones is a fringe NBA player. He never acquired a solid center to help compliment Gasol. He also didn't hire coaches well.

He's had a few good moves like drafting Hakim Warrick at the pick they had. Rudy Gay might end up being a great player as well. But, for the most part, he did a poor job at Memphis.