Go ahead, pile on Damon Stoudamire.

“Shut up and …sit!” Right?

Stoudamire’s desire to be traded or have his contract bought out through his agent, Aaron Goodwin, isn’t a slam on rookie Mike Conley. Everybody in the free world, and on Pluto, knew the Griz would hand Conley the keys to this team sooner or later.

Conley, the fourth overall pick, is the future at point guard for this franchise. Not Stoudamire. Not the great Kyle Lowry. Head coach Marc Iavaroni is doing the right thing by starting and playing Conley significant minutes. The organization has to develop him – see what the former Ohio State standout can do and what Conley needs to be taught.

That said, Stoudamire clearly didn’t expect to be told that he will only be the emergency point guard – someone the team doesn’t intend to play unless there’s an injury. Is it ridiculous for a 13-year veteran who is serviceable after coming back from a serious knee injury to want to play with another year left on his contract?

The Grizzlies are doing what they have to do at that position, and Stoudamire is doing what he must do in this situation. The squeaky wheel gets the trade/release in professional sports. And just as “fans” don’t mind their team making business decisions – however poor – players have to make business decisions – however poorly received – in their best interest.

Not every detail will become public in this saga. But here’s one: I’m told that Stoudamire’s contract calls for him to play in 55 games and average 20 minutes this season. If Stoudamire doesn’t, he’ll receive roughly 50 percent of the $4.65 million he’s due for the 2008-09 season.

So don’t think for a second that this is PURELY a basketball decision.

If this was simply a basketball decision, then Conley would start and Lowry would be the third (insurance) point guard instead of Stoudamire at this point and time. Lowry, off the bench, has played the most minutes at point but he’s regressed defensively. Lowry makes the same mistakes (see: turnovers) over and over and his decision-making is poor.

Lowry is an excellent energy guy in an Earl Watson mold. But he’s not starter material. Frankly, Iavaroni lost the majority of those seven games by three points or less in large part by staying with Lowry at the end of games.

Stoudamire is a stabilizing force, a leader and a decorated NBA veteran who doesn’t deserve to be treated like this. The Griz can and should go to a youth movement. But Stoudamire has earned the right not to want to watch.