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Greatest Grizzlies: Damon Stoudamire Impacted Memphis’ Past, Present, and Future

By Christian Dudley

SALT LAKE CITY - DECEMBER 26: Damon Stoudamire #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies defends against the Utah Jazz on December 26, 2005 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kent Horner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY - DECEMBER 26: Damon Stoudamire #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies defends against the Utah Jazz on December 26, 2005 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kent Horner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – MAY 9: Damon Stoudamire, Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Brevin Knight before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2015 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MAY 9: Damon Stoudamire, Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Brevin Knight before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2015 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Following the playoff-bound season in 2005-06, Damon Stoudamire assisted in ensuring the Grizzlies remained relevent in the 30-team association. In 2006-07, the team would not come close to being in playoff contention. It was all about mentoring the team’s young guys. Most notably, Kyle Lowry received expert advice from Stoudamire.

Fast-forwarding to the 2007 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies owned the No. 4 overall pick. This was by far the Front Office’s best Draft Night decision to date. They selected Mike Conley, who is arguably the franchise’s all-time best player. Again, arguably.

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Surprisingly enough, Mike Conley is the only player that remains on the Grizzlies’ roster that was a teammate to Damon Stoudamire. The Front Office made the decision to keep Conley over Lowry — and either way they could have turned would have been a winning formula.

It was from this point that the rookie Conley received guidance from the veteran Stoudamire. Mike was able to learn from Damon for several months. This happened until the Memphis Grizzlies reached a buyout agreement with Stoudamire in early-2008.

This would be the final season that Damon Stoudamire would play in the NBA, though he officially retired as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. Though he stepped away from playing the game, he would continue to coach. He would continue his time with the Grizzlies organization, too.

There was a special bond that had formed between Mike Conley and Damon Stoudamire. Conley learned the ropes from “Mighty Mouse.” The great tale of successful development with Conley undoubtedly stems from the teachings offered by Stoudamire. In the offseason of 2016, Mike Conley reflected upon those meaningful sessions with Damon Stoudamire in a piece for The Players’ Tribune.

"“Damon dominated me. The game was over in like 15 minutes. I may have been fast and I may have been in better shape — I was even a few inches taller than him — but he outmuscled me. He went right at me, posting me up and pushing me off my spots. I left with a bruised ego, but it was the beginning of a friendship. Throughout the season, we kept up our one-on-one battles. They turned into training sessions. Damon had a lot to teach and was extremely generous with his time.”"

Stoudamire groomed Conley and toughened him for big moments. Without Damon’s veteran leadership behind the scenes, there may have never been quite the emergence of the Memphis Grizzlies post-2010. Perhaps not as much grit to the grind. A masked Conley versus the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2015? Without Stoudamire’s presence during Conley’s rookie year, he may not have developed the toughness it took to overcome injuries and play through them.

Given these facts and stories regarding Damon Stoudamire, it adds to his Grizzlies legacy. Though he made an impact as a player, it is his offerings off the floor that made him even more beneficial to the franchise.

Damon was a coaching assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2009 to 2011. Furthering his coaching career, he has spent time in various coaching roles with Rice University, the University of Memphis, the University of Arizona (his alma mater), and currently Pacific University. While “Mighty Mouse” is finding success in the coaching world, it is not unrealistic to imagine him rejoining the Grizzlies on Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s staff in the future.

When determining the Grizzlies’ top-25 players in franchise history, you cannot leave Damon Stoudamire out of the conversation. His impact is not yet complete.

Go Grizz! 

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