Winters Out in Vancouver; Augmon Traded to Portland

It wasn’t only the number of losses, it was the way the Vancouver Grizzlies were losing that cost Brian Winters his coaching job Friday.

“It’s not a matter of wins and losses as much as our attitude,” said Grizzly 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 against 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.

“I don’t harbor any illusions as a developing team about winning the NBA championship in your second year, but I want to make sure that we establish our identity as a basketball team as one that’s competitive.”

The Grizzlies are two victories behind last year’s pace when they were 15-67, matching the worst finish ever by an expansion team.

Last season, the Grizzlies also set an NBA record by losing 23 consecutive games. 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.

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The Detroit Pistons traded Stacey Augmon, who had not played since a shouting match with Coach Doug Collins two weeks ago, to the Portland Trail Blazers for three reserve guards.

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

Augmon, a regular in his first five seasons with Atlanta, had asked to be traded after failing to break into the rotation with Detroit. He averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 20 games.

The Trail Blazers expect Augmon to be a backup to Isaiah Rider at shooting guard and Cliff Robinson at small forward.

“He’s a very versatile, athletic player who can play two positions and guard three positions,” said Jim Paxson, Portland assistant general manager. “I feel that he’ll fit in quickly, be able to adapt, be able to be a factor early on in his career here.”

Also Friday, Portland put center Arvydas Sabonis on the injured list for at least five games because of a bruised left calf and signed guard Ennis Whatley.

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Veteran forward Chris Morris was suspended for one game by the Utah Jazz for breaking team rules. Morris did not travel with the team for today’s game at Houston. . . . Veteran point guard Kenny Smith, who won two NBA championship rings with the Houston Rockets, joined his third team of the season after signing a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets.