Memphis guard Damon Stoudamire insisted that his personal feelings about his demotion to the bench won't detract from the team. Playing off the bench isn't Stoudamire's preference, but he realizes that his performance must improve.

"I ain't playing well. Coach said he had to do something to shake things up and that was taking me out of the lineup. It's OK with me," Stoudamire said of his conversation with coach Mike Fratello. "I'm going to stay professional because I'm going to get my (job) back. I just have to go out and keep working. At the end of the day, I'm not too concerned about it. I'm going to play hard."