Grizzlies Re-Sign Abdur-Rahim

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 27, 1999 / 7:50 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

The Vancouver Grizzlies, who've suffered through three dismal seasons in their NBA existence, solidified their future by signing Shareef Abdur-Rahim to a $71 million, six-year contract extension on Wednesday.

"It exemplifies the franchise has some stability from a player standpoint," said Stu Jackson, Grizzlies president and GM. "It sends a message to the rest of the league that this is a destination point for very good players. And thirdly, it ensures that we've added to our foundation which we're going to build around."

"For this organization to move forward, it was important to have Shareef as the central figure of our team for at least the next seven years."

Abdur-Rahim, who led the Grizzlies in scoring in his first two seasons, was in the final year of his rookie contract and would have been eligible for free agency at the end of this season. His contract extension is the maximum allowable under the newly-negotiated collective bargaining agreement.

"I just feel blessed and honored," said Abdur-Rahim, who celebrated his 22nd birthday last month.

The biggest issue in Abdur-Rahim's mind was not money but getting assurances that the team was committed to become a contender. He said he got that from Jackson and owner John McCaw.

"I wouldn't have signed this if I didn't feel like we were moving in the right direction," he said. "Honestly, I really do feel good about our team and the direction that we're moving in. I feel good about the situation."

Abdur-Rahim wasn't concerned he lost a chance to cash in on his success, considering the limits placed on salaries in the new collective bargaining agreement.

"Honestly, you have to look at it and say, `This is more money than my parents every made.' I really don't pay much too much attention to that. I'm happy to be back playing basketball. I'm pleased and I'm blessed," he said.

Abdur-Rahim said today's NBA players are indebted to those who never had the opportunity to make this much money.

"When you think about it, you have to thank the guys that came before me, the Dr. J's and the guys before him. All of those guys were worth money like this, but the league wasn't in a situation like this. They really paved the way for guys like myself," he said.

The first thing Abdur-Rahim said he would do with his newfound wealth is buy his mother Aminah a new home in Atlanta.

Selected third overall in the 1996 draft out of California, Abdur-Rahim is considered the foundation of the Grizzlies' future. A unanimous choice to the NBA rookie team in his first season, he followed with an outstanding second year in which he averaged 22.3 points per game, tied for sixth in the league.

"I think I've got a lot of unfulfiled potential. I'm not pleased or satisfied at the point I'm at. I've got a lot of work to do," said Abdur-Rahim.

With Abdur-Rahim, the Grizzlies now have three core players -- center Bryant Reeves, who is in the first year of a seven-year contract, and rookie point guard Mike Bibby, who last week signed a four-year deal -- locked up for the long term.

"It's a big step for the organization," coach Brian Hill said. "It shows, number one, that we have a commitment to our players. And even more importantly it shows that, in Shareef's case, he's got a commitment to us."