Griz End Winters Of Their Discontent

It wasn’t just the number of losses, it was the way the Vancouver Grizzlies were beginning to lose that cost Brian Winters his head coaching job Friday.

“It’s not a matter of wins and losses as much as our attitude,” said Grizzlies president and general manager Stu Jackson, who will take over the coaching duties until the end of the season.

Vancouver has the worst record in the league at 8-35. The team has had several one-sided losses at home, including a 19-point defeat to Minnesota on Thursday.

A week ago, veteran guard Blue Edwards suggested changing coaches, saying most players were not listening to Winters.

“The way that we played the game, our mental approach to the game - that might have been more of a concern than the actual wins and losses,” Jackson said.

Vancouver made the move following Friday morning’s practice.

The Grizzlies are currently two wins behind last year’s pace when they were 15-67, matching the worst finish ever by an expansion team. With last Monday’s loss at Seattle, Vancouver reached 100 losses quicker than any team in NBA history, doing it in the franchise’s 123rd game.

Winters, 44, a former NBA star with the Milwaukee Bucks, spent 10 years as an assistant coach, the last nine under Lenny Wilkens.

Blazers deal three players for Augmon

The Trail Blazers acquired Detroit forward Stacey Augmon for three reserve guards in a deal that Portland officials hope will bring versatility to the young team.

Portland sent Aaron McKie, Randolph Childress and Reggie Jordan to Detroit for the 6-foot-8, 205-pound Augmon, a six-year veteran.

Augmon, a regular in his first five seasons with Atlanta, had been asking to be traded after failing to fit into the starting rotation at Detroit.

He hadn’t played since walking out of practice following a shouting match earlier this month with Pistons’ coach Doug Collins.

Portland also placed Arvydas Sabonis on the injured list because of a deep bruise in his left calf.

The 7-foot-3 center suffered the injury Wednesday during Portland’s loss at Seattle. Sabonis must sit out at least five games, meaning he can’t return to the lineup until the Blazers play at Minnesota on Feb. 2.

Carlos Rogers’ sister dies

The sister of Toronto Raptors forward Carlos Rogers died a day after he had traveled to Detroit with the thought of donating his kidney.

Rogers returned home to learn that his sister’s immune system had been ravaged by an infection. Doctors said Rene Rogers was too weak to undergo a transplant operation.

“My sister fought a long and hard battle, and it’s kind of hard to sit here now and talk about it,” Rogers said.

Nuggets sign Kenny Smith for 10 days

Seeking a backup point guard, the Denver Nuggets signed veteran Kenny Smith to a 10-day contract.

Smith, 31, started 56 games last season for Houston, averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 assists.

He signed with Detroit as a free agent last Sept. 17 and played in nine games before being released Dec. 18. He signed with Orlando while Penny Hardaway was on the injured list and averaged 2.8 points in six games, but was released Jan. 6 when Hardaway returned.

Jazz suspend Morris for one game

Veteran forward Chris Morris was handed a one-game suspension by the Utah Jazz and did not travel with the team for today’s game at Houston, team officials confirmed.

Jazz spokesman Kim Turner said he had few details on the move, except that it was disciplinary.