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Jail Blazer No More

You have got to feel good for Damon Stoudamire, finally breaking free from the Portland Jail Blazers and getting a fresh start in Memphis. Stoudamire has responded to his new surrounding with one of his best seasons as a pro, leading the Grizzlies to a surprising 18-10 record. Las night, Stoudamire came back to Portland for the first time since leaving the last summer as a free agent.

Damon Stoudamire didn`t think his return was going to be like this - When Damon was announced as the starting point guard for the Grizzlies the 14,000 people in the Rose Garden gave him an ovation much louder than any returning Blazer I have ever heard. Of course, him being a Portland native probably didn`t hurt that. Stoudamire got off to a quick start too and got the Memphis offense going, but in the second quarter things ground to a halt.

Stoudamire drove around Randolph to the hoop and despite not being touched looked like he just fell out of the air. He landed hard on his right hip and didn`t move. A timeout was called and the Memphis trainers rushed out, but Damon still didn`t move. As a hush fell over the stadium the gurney was brought out and Stoudamire was delicately lifted onto it.