GRIZZLIES WORLD HEADQUARTERS –- No matter how Chucky Atkins answered the question, this isn’t an ideal situation in his world.

Sure, he’ll become a free agent again next summer.

Sure, he’s guaranteed playing time.

Why a one-year deal?

“It’s what I wanted,” Atkins said Monday.

No, Atkins’ one-year deal worth part of the mid-level exception is what the Grizzlies wanted.

Badly.

They gain experience in the backcourt. The Griz, more importantly, maintain salary-cap flexibility for the summer of 2007. Insiders are projecting nearly $10 million in money to spend under the cap, which escalated to $53.135 million per team for the upcoming season.

Atkins turns 32 on Aug. 14 and he really wanted a long-term commitment –- something in the range of four years after bouncing around with three teams (Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards and Memphis) in less than one year.

It is believed the Griz made two offers: A two-year deal and the one-year pact.

So Atkins took the one-year deal and decided to remain in control of his destiny. This is good news for Grizzlies fans because the team would have turned to Junior Harrington had Atkins walked away.

Where was Harrington last season?

Good question.

The answer?

He was out of the NBA after stints with Denver (2002-03) and New Orleans (2004-05).
Harrington, though, resurfaced with the Grizzlies’ summer-league team and played well. He performed at such a level that it cost Anthony Roberson his job and made Griz brass seriously consider signing him.

1. The world of college sports lost a great announcer and an exceptional man on Monday night when Paul Eells, the voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, was killed in a car wreck on the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 in Russellville.

Eells, 70, who was also the sports director for KATV Channel 7 in Little Rock, was returning from an afternoon of golf and reporting from Fayetteville from the Houston Nutt Golf Classic.

If you ever met Paul, you realized there was nothing phony about him. He loved what he did and he took very seriously the fact he was the voice that linked the Razorback Nation. He was just as at ease with the President of the United States, as he was with the typical Hog fan from Mountain View.

That’s what made Paul great. He could reach anybody. When you listened to him, it was like listening to an old friend. He will be sorely missed.
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