West Appears Close to Deal With Grizzlies

By Tim Brown

April 28, 2002 12 AM PT

Laker lifer Jerry West has had “very positive discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies,” according to an NBA source, and is near a decision that could make him that organization’s president of basketball operations.

After months of considering a return to the game full time after resigning from the Lakers nearly two summers ago, West, 63, appears to have chosen to resume his career.

He has negotiated recently with the Grizzlies and the Atlanta Hawks, second-tier teams with young talent but seeking direction.

If he accepts a multiyear offer by Grizzly owner Michael Heisley, West would control the basketball side of the franchise. President Dick Versace probably would become general manager, replacing the recently fired Billy Knight.

Since leaving the Laker front office because of health concerns, West has served as a team consultant. As his health has improved, so has his desire to return to a decision-making post increased.

As the Lakers stormed through their 15-1 postseason a year ago, they became the NBA’s foot-to-throat finishers, not missing a single chance to close out a series.

They defeated last year’s four playoff foes--Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio and Philadelphia--by an average of 15 points in those final games. Three of the finales were on the road, in Portland, Sacramento and Philadelphia, where aggressive crowds ultimately were of no consequence.

Today at Portland, the Lakers have reached their first close-out game since. They hold a two-games-to-none lead in the best-of-five series, and a chartered jet waits on a runway at the edge of town.

“It’s just poise,” Kobe Bryant said. “Poise, being calm, us coming in with the mind-set of this being the only game we know. That’s it. We play on Sunday. It’s the only game we know.”

It is the Laker vernacular for playing the game for its own sake, for not minding the pressure of a close-out or the comfort of a two-game lead.

“When you have a mini-series like this,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said, “you don’t have a lot of room for error.”

Asked why the Lakers were able to conclude each series so ruthlessly, Robert Horry said, “Basketball gods.”

Bryant said Saturday that he is healthy, strong and clear-headed, which makes his worst shooting slump of the season all the more confounding.

But not for him.

“I’ve been getting good looks,” he said. “I just haven’t made the shots. That’s going to come around.”

Trail Blazer Coach Maurice Cheeks defended Bryant with Scottie Pippen to start Game 1, then Bonzi Wells to start Game 2. Ruben Patterson guarded Bryant for periods in both games.

While Bryant missed 34 of 49 field-goal attempts, he averaged 26.5 points, primarily because he made 20 of 22 free throws.

“I don’t care either way,” he said of the Pippen or Wells matchup. “It doesn’t change what I do out there.”