PLAYERS
CENTERS
Bryant Reeves C 7'0" 290lbs 28yrs 2001-02 salary $11,555,555
2000-01 stats: 75 Games, 48 Starts, 24.4mpg, 8.3ppg, 6.0rpg
Reeves is a big body. Very overpaid. Reeves has never really fulfilled the potential that had the Grizzlies draft him as their first ever selection in 1995. His scoring average has dropped in each of the last 3 seasons. The Grizzlies would love it if he can reproduce his form of his second and third years when he averaged 16ppg and 8rpg. He needs to use his strength and hit the boards hard to get more rebounds. He would be an ideal backup for a playoff calibre team. The Grizzlies would love to offload his huge salary but would likely have to include players like Abdur-Rahim and Bibby in a trade to make it happen. He will likely be back as the starting center next season.
Isaac Austin C 6'10" 270lbs 31yrs 2001-02 salary $5,448,242 (player option)
2000-01 stats: 52 Games, 16 Starts, 16.3mpg, 4.3ppg, 4.3rpg
Had a career year in 1997-98 with Miami and the Clippers, hasn't been able to reproduce that form since then. Struggled to get minutes for the Grizzlies last season and shot a terrible .356 from the field but can be a decent backup. Ike has can opt out of his contract to sign with a team that may give him a greater role but no team will offer him anything near to the $5.7 million that he will get if he stays. He will likely stay put, and see if he can increase his value when his contract expires at the end of the season.
POWER FORWARDS
Stromile Swift F 6'9" 225lbs 21yrs 2001-02 salary $3,401,601
2000-01 stats: 80 Games, 6 Starts, 16.4mpg, 4.9ppg, 3.6rpg
The #2 overall draft pick in the 2000 draft was brought along slowly last season. The starting position will be his to lose in training camp. Played very little last year but is very athletic and has a lot of potential. The team has labeled him as their PF of the future.
Tony Massenburg F/C 6'9" 250lbs 33yrs 2001-02 salary $1,500,000
2000-01 stats: 52 Games, 20 Starts, 15.8mpg, 4.5ppg, 4.0rpg
Signed the Grizzlies million dollar exception last season and ended the year as the starting power forward. Will likely play a backup role this season and will spend a little time spelling Reeves and Austin at the center position. In his last spell with Vancouver in 98-99 he averaged 11.2ppg. This reliable veteran will be back to contribute next season.
Grant Long F 6'9" 250lbs 35yrs 2001-02 salary $2,400,000 (player option)
2000-01 stats: 66 Games, 27 Starts, 22.8mpg, 6.0ppg, 4.2rpg
Veteran swing forward who is well past his prime but provides valuable leadership that the Grizzlies desparately need. Played some of power forward and small forward last season and will likely do the same next year. He has an option to get out of his contract and become a free agent but the Grizzlies will hope that he returns.
SMALL FORWARDS
Shareef Abdur-Rahim F 6'9" 230lbs 24yrs 2001-02 salary $11,250,000
2001-01 stats: 81 Games, 81 Starts, 40.0mpg, 20.5ppg, 9.1rpg
Shareef is undoubtedly the star of the Grizzlies team. He finished the season playing small forward but also spent some time at power forward. He is a
terrific rebounder and his range is improving so he could be one of the best small forwards in the league the next few years. Whether he is with the Grizzlies next year is another question. His agent Aaron Goodwin said in May that if the team doesn't make some drastic improvements he would demand a trade. Abdur-Rahim has averaged over 20 points for his last four seasons so if a trade did happen, the Grizzlies must ensure they get value in return.
SHOOTING GUARDS
Michael Dickerson SG 6'4" 190lbs 26yrs 2001-02 salary $1,940,702
2000-01 stats: 70 Games, 69 Starts, 37.4mpg, 16.3ppg, 3.3rpg
Dickerson has been a very good player for the Grizzlies since he was traded from Houston in the Francis deal. Although his numbers dropped a little last year he is still in the top half of shooting guards in the league. Because of his bargain salary he may be included in a deal in the off-season but if he stays he will be a solid player. If the Grizzlies choose to draft Jason Richardson, then it may be likely that they trade Dickerson to fill another need.
Erick Strickland G 6'3" 210lbs 27yrs 2001-02 salary $2,880,000 (player option)
2000-01 stats: 22 Games, 0 Starts, 18.6mpg, 6.4ppg, 3.5rpg
Strickland had an off-year last year, he struggled to get minutes when he was in New York and when he was traded to Vancouver mid-season, he couldn't find his shot. His shooting percentage was down from .433 in the 1999/2000 season to just .301 with the Grizzlies last year. He is a lot better shooter than that. After a full off-season with the team he may settle in better next year if he doesn't choose to opt out of his contract. If the Grizzlies trade Dickerson and draft Richardson, Strickland may be a chance to win the starting spot. In his last season with Dallas (1999/2000) he had a great year, averaging 12.8ppg as a starter and shooting .392 from behind the arc. Strickland can play both guard spots and will be a valuable part of the rotation if he chooses to stay.
Doug West G/F 6'6" 225lbs 34yrs Free agent
2000-01 stats: 15 Games, 6 Starts, 11.4mpg, 1.9ppg, 1.0rpg
This often injured, whining veteran has played out his contract and will not be re-signed. He had to play out of position at small forward on occasions but had no impact wherever he played. He was a decent player at his prime but that was long ago. Shot a terrible .289 in limited court time last year.
Kevin Edwards G 6'3" 210lbs 35yrs Free agent
2000-01 stats: 46 Games, 5 Starts, 13.8mpg, 3.5ppg, 1.8rpg
This veteran was brought back into the league as the Grizzlies were
desperate for leadership. He, similar to West, had limited impact and will not be re-signed.
POINT GUARDS
Mike Bibby PG 6'1" 190lbs 23yrs 2001-02 salary $4,174,898
2000-01 stats: 82 games, 82 Starts, 38.9mpg, 15.9ppg, 8.4apg
Bibby finished 4th in the league in assists/game last year and is one of the top few point guards of the future. He was criticized for not being aggressive enough when the Grizzlies were crying out for a leader. Bibby's shot has improved, so much so that he is now a threat from the outside. Like the rest of the Grizzlies starting five, it is
rumored that he is on the trading block so it remains to be seen where he will be in 2001-02.
Damon Jones G 6'3" 185lbs 24yrs Free Agent
2000-01 stats: 71 Games, 10 Starts, 19.9mpg, 6.5ppg, 3.2apg
Jones played very well last season. He hit his shots, managed to score and distribute the ball when he was on the floor. Reportedly he is a very positive locker-room influence so I would not be
surprised if he was offered another contract. Can spend time at both guard positions if required.
Brent Price PG 6'1" 185lbs 32yrs 2001-02 salary $3,680,000
2000-01 stats: 6 Games, 0 Starts, 5.0mpg, 2.2ppg, 0.8apg
Price played in just 30 minutes total last year as he was again struck down by injuries. He hasn't really found his niche since moving from Houston and if he wasn't signed for such a high salary he may have been waived. Vancouver certainly haven't got their money's worth out of him. He will really want to make an impact next season to save his career. He could be a good backup if he rediscovers his game.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf G 6'1" 162lbs 32yrs Free Agent
2000-01 stats: 41 Games, 0 Starts, 11.9mpg, 6.5ppg, 1.9apg
'The artist formally known as Chris Jackson' was signed after 2 years out of the league to give some scoring punch of the bench. He is a veteran who is known for his explosive scoring. He was a star in Denver between 1992 and 1996 but his 3-point shot wasn't
dropping as much last year as his days as a nugget. Abdul-Rauf was never a good defender. A gamble last year, played ok but showed he was well past his best. He won't return next year.
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