Corey Green is the Tri-State Defender's new sports columnist.

The Vancouver Grizzlies enter the NBA in 1995 with a whimper – going 101-359 in six seasons, and sleeping their way through five coaches.

Then comes the 2001-02 season where not much more than the logo changes.

Two seasons later we put it together (50-32) with the help of Hubie Brown and make the playoffs, but lose in the first round. The Grizz – so I think – have found their growl.

We follow up with two consecutive playoff appearances, but with the same result – first round knockouts. Just as we seem to be turning the corner, we get hit with three consecutive seasons with fewer than 25 wins each year. Ouch!

Amar’e Stoudemire was unhappy about being fouled during a January game at the FedExForum. Stoudemire later was disqualified for arguing a call. Maybe he’d be happier with the Grizzlies. (Photo by Warren Roseborough)

But it’s NBA Day and the start of a new era is upon us. Right?

With two first round picks and one in the second, I – representing the Grizz – forgo youth and acquire Amar’e Stoudemire from the Phoenix Suns. I let go of those first two picks for a veteran four-time All Star, and a guy who has played on a contending team in the highly competitive Western conference.

And I can’t leave out that he’s a guy who has won using our style of play . . . The run and gun…

In (and win) with the old.

We already have the slogan of “Young and Hungry” so I sweeten the mixture with a pinch of Stoudemire’s experience and now Memphis has something brewing. Nothing like the spice of a big man who can run the front on both the offensive and defensive ends. He fits in perfectly with Coach Lionel Hollins’s style of play.

With our new and improved formula, now the Grizz have a lineup that won’t just compete with the likes of the Spurs, Hornets, Rockets, Dallas, Trailblazers and Lakers; they’ll win.

We put up a good fight with Mike Conley, Mark Gasol, Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, and Darko Millicic and Darrell Arthur rotating in and out. OK, so that’s debatable.

The point is that with my proposed changes a much-needed lift of pressure is off the shoulders of Rudy and Mayo, who both averaged 18 points per game last season. I mean, an anchor in the middle rooted with 21.4 points per game and 8 rebounds is a real boost.

I’m not done yet though… I have one draft pick still in my back pocket.

How about using that 36th pick to bring in Memphis native Lester Hudson who was the second leading scorer in the nation behind Davidson’s All-American Stephen Curry?

Hudson is the only player in Division 1 basketball to record a quadruple-double 25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assist, and 10 steals during the 2007-08 season. He averaged 27.5 points per game while at Tennessee Martin. He’s what I call a true diamond in the rough, and someone who will bring fans to the FedEx Forum!

Rudy Gay, Mayo, Stoudemire, Gasol, and a more mature Arthur with a splash of Hudson! Kobe, your Lakers aren’t the only big show anymore.

Only one problem with all of this, I’m not General Manager Chris Wallace.

Dang it!

(Email Corey Green at cgreen@tri-statedefender.com)