Traffic began to swell and massive crowds formed as another Redbirds game approached.

Through that typical chaos, Jerry West emerged from an office in Toyota Plaza and began a short stroll toward The Peabody.

What happened next was anything but normal.

Ron Tillery of the Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies will be looking to add a power player this off-season to help bolster a team that won 28 games last season.

"We need strength," West said. "Sometimes strength doesn't come in size. . . . Don't ever underestimate the experience factor.

"Sometimes there are things that you do that make people scratch their heads and say why did you do that," West said. "When you win 28 games, I think it's important to think about doing anything if you can help yourself. . . . I do not (avoid) phone calls from other teams' general managers."

Head coach Hubie Brown does not feel the draft can answer the Grizzlies need for an inside presence.

"We all know there's not a player in the draft that can do that at the position we need," Brown said. "We know there will be a solid talent there in the draft. But not a talent that can step in and rebound and block shots in a starting role."

West, who normally is able to conduct draft day magic, may not be able to do so this summer. The Grizzlies, who are the seventh seed, will lose their pick if it is not the top overall pick in the draft. They will, however, have Houston's first round pick, which currently stands at 13, and Sacramento's first round pick, which is slated to be the 27th pick.

West may be able to package the draft picks with a player or two to get a player he feels can help fill a need.

"It comes down to creativity," Brown said. "People who are creative always seem to get the job done when it comes to free agency, trades and maneuvering in the draft. They don't use (the salary cap rules) as an excuse to why they didn't get something done. It always amazes me that every year the same guys are doing things, and the rest of the league is watching. Yet their teams are always over the cap.

"And once again, the word I always use is courage, because they're always getting rid of high-profiled people to get something that is at first questioned, but halfway through the season you see what the person saw."

Of course, the Grizzlies will have their mid-level exception, which West is very optimistic about.

"One player," West said, "can make an enormous difference. We think there are going to be some good bargains at the (midlevel exception). We think we can get someone pretty good with that exception if we decide to use it. . . . The new salary (cap) restrictions have changed the league forever."

Ron Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: Mike Miller is interested in signing a contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Miller will be eligible to recieve an extension between Aug.1-Oct.31.

"It'd be great to do that because it means you'll be with one team," Miller said. "They're making a commitment to you and you're making one to them. I see this team as being good in the future so I'm excited about being a part of it. I'm really happy to be here."

Jerry West coveted Miller for a while and made it clear Miller was part of the future.

"If you get a player you like and you think he's going to be a part of your future those are things you get done and out of the way," West said. "I don't view it as a major thing.

"I don't think you leave players in a lurch in terms of contracts. It's better to face those and try to go forward."

Miller is confident that not only will an extension get done, but that West will continue to add the right players to create a winning atmosphere.

"With the credibility he makes it easier to sign players," Miller said of West. "He's going to keep bringing quality players in here, and coach (Hubie) Brown will know what to do with them once they get here."

Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal reports that Hubie Brown has shot down any rumors that hae linked him to becoming Jerry Krause's succesor.

"That's a far reach by whoever wrote that," Brown said with a slight grin. "I would never consider being in that type of a position.

"It's not the right thing for me," Brown said. "I have never been interested in that type of position."

Brown reaffirmed that he was looking forward to coaching next season saying he was feeling good health-wise and had a contractual obligation to the team.

"I'm extremely pleased with everything that has happened in the first year," Brown said. "I'm not happy with the way it's ending with our depletion of players because of injuries.

"But we have a mindset and we have a style of play now. Our fans can see that it's exciting but we need the (Michael) Dickersons, (Mike) Millers and Lorenzen Wrights healthy plus what we're going to get over the summer."

Brown feels the Grizzlies, when healthy, are just a big man away from becoming a ery tough team.

"We are 16-12 since we took over against the East. We can get away with our (lack of) size in the East," Brown said. "But we cannot win consistently against the playoff teams and top teams of the NBA in the West.

"Consequently, it comes down to can you take care of your defensive boards? Game in and game out, (opponents) hurt you with second-shot attempts. That's talent. If you look at all of the top centers and forwards, they're in the West. So it becomes a problem. We need one more major body."

Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: It looks like Mike Miller will be extending his stay in Memphis.

Miller told Brewer that he has begun talking to the Memphis Grizzlies about a contract extension that he could sign as early as August 1st and as late as October 31st.

He also sounds like he doesn't miss Orlando that much.

Miller plans on selling his Orlando home and buying one in Memphis, where he hopes to stick around.

"I like this team," he said. "You know Jerry will win here. He'll get the players."

Roy Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: The Memphis Grizzlies will be without one of their key players for the final five games of the regular season and could be without another one as well.

Yesterday, head coach Hubie announced that Mike Miller's season was over due to his back troubles.

"We thank him for his time, and everybody can now see why we made the trade (with Orlando) to get him," Brown said of Miller. "Next year, he's going to be a legitimate, big-time star."

They could also be without center Lorenzen Wright if he has torn ligaments in his thumb.

"The thumb popped back in the first half and it felt like it tore," Wright said. "I couldn't really grab the ball and hold it, so I had to shut it down. We're going to examine it Monday and see how bad the tear is. Then, I'll talk it over with my family."