MEMPHIS -- There is no doubt that Billy Knight deserved better.

Actually he is better.

Better off.

Better suited elsewhere.

But don't feel sorry for Knight.

And don't try to make sense of the Grizzlies' maddening ways.

Knight, in his first public comments since being fired as the team's general manager, was the first to say:

"It's the nature of the business."

Yep.

This is professional sports.

Where there are at least two whimsical, impulsive fans with enough Benjamins to own NBA teams.

And where there is no real reason needed to issue pink slips.

Griz owner Michael Heisley ordered Dick Versace to fire Knight April 18 soon after the team returned to Memphis from Seattle.

Understand this: Part of owning a pro sports franchise is getting to sit wherever you want in the arena, to know about personnel decisions before the public and to delegate who operates the hatchet.

But if Heisley were to call Knight (and sadly, that hasn't happened) he would hear the following.

"I just want to thank Mr. Heisley for the opportunity to help this franchise," Knight said. "I especially want to thank him for allowing me to draft Pau Gasol and Shane Battier; for allowing me that latitude."

Knight just completed his second season with the Grizzlies. Memphis, though, was his first real shot. Versace was out in front when Heisley operated the team last year in Vancouver.

He stumbled miserably.

Knight strutted through Memphis, and he leaves with his head held high.

"I'm better off for the experience," Knight said. "I learned a lot being with the Grizzlies. It was good all the way around. . . . I don't harbor any hard feelings. I obviously wish things would have been different. You just want to see the fruition to your labor. You'd like to see things through."

Clearly, though, the Grizzlies have scrapped their 3-to-5-year plan and will seek to win right away. This is not to say Knight could not have facilitated the change in direction.

Los Angeles Lakers consultant Jerry West is destined to do so.

	“	People are shocked that I'm out and about and upbeat. I feel comfortable with the way I was doing things. I don't have anything to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. ... I really enjoyed Memphis and I'll always come back. ”
		— Billy Knight

To that, Knight says "awesome."

Here's a couple of more "A" words.

Accommodating and astute.

This is Knight in addition to his basketball acumen that is clearly defined by the years spent under Donnie Walsh and the Indiana Pacers.

Knight, by the way, began working in the Pacers' front office in 1987. He won't be unemployed for long.

"I'll be fine," said Knight, whose good reputation already has garnered several job inquiries around the league. "I told (people in the Grizzlies office), 'Don't worry about me.' I want them to continue to do things in a professional way."

You might be surprised to know that Knight has remained in Memphis since his firing. He's maintained a steady presence in town.

"People are shocked that I'm out and about and upbeat," Knight said before adding: "I feel comfortable with the way I was doing things. I don't have anything to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. ... I really enjoyed Memphis and I'll always come back."

Memphis may be headed West but there always is room for a good Knight.

Ronald Tillery writes for The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn.