Memphis Grizzlies

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The Memphis Grizzlies are a National Basketball Association team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The current head coach is Hubie Brown; the team is owned by Michael Heisley.

Founded: 1995

Formerly known as: Vancouver Grizzlies 1995-2001

Home Arena: FedExForum, 2004-

Former Arenas: General Motors Place, Vancouver, 1995-2001 and Memphis Pyramid, 2001-2004.

Uniform colors: Black, Turquoise blue, White, Red, and Yellow.

Logo design: A blue bear's head, with "MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES" below it in stylized block letters.

NBA Championships:

Franchise history

The Vancouver Grizzlies inaugurated in the NBA in 1995 alongside the Toronto Raptors. Both teams were symbols of the NBA's growth, and were the first NBA teams to play in Canada, since 1946-47's Toronto Huskies. The Grizzlies were initially composed of players taken from other teams via an expansion draft, and were joined by the Grizzlies first draft pick: Bryant Reeves. The first season for the Grizzlies was typical for an expansion team, and they finished with the worst record in the NBA that year. In 1996, the Grizzlies would get their highest draft pick to date, taking Shareef Abdur-Rahim as the 3rd overall pick. Despite his solid play, the Grizzlies continued to struggle, again having the worst record in the NBA.

In 1997, the Grizzlies would take Antonio Daniels with the 4th pick and saw some improvement as they finished in 6th place. However 1998 would bring the Grizzlies back to last place, despite excellent play by rookie guard Mike Bibby. In the lockout-shortened season, the Grizzlies would only win 8 games.

After the NBA lockout, the attendance numbers at Grizzlies games began to drop, and the team began losing money. Ownership of the team was transferred a few times, but nothing could stem the tide. The fact that the Grizzlies were not competitive didn't help matters. In 2001, despite earlier promises from owner Michael Heisley to remain in Vancouver, he moved the franchise to Memphis, ending Vancouver's six-year experiment with professional basketball. Many people believe that Michael Heisley had purchased the team with the sole intent to move the franchise.

The team relocated to Memphis for the 2001-2002 season. The team named Jerry West as general manager of the team in 2002. During the 2002-03 season Hubie Brown was named coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, and won the NBA Coach of the Year Award in the next season. The Grizzlies made the NBA playoffs for the first time in team history in the spring of 2004 as the sixth seed in the West, but lost in 4 games to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The team is currently led by Spaniard Pau Gasol and the "speedy" Jason Williams.

Players of note

Basketball Hall of Famers:

None yet.

Not to be forgotten:

• Shareef Abdur-Rahim
• Mike Bibby
• Hubie Brown (coach)
• Bryant "Big Country" Reeves
• Michael Dickerson

Retired numbers:

None yet.

Current stars:

• Pau Gasol
• Bonzi Wells
• Jason Williams
• James Posey
• Mike Miller

External links

• Memphis Grizzlies official web site
• Official Summer Pro League Memphis Grizzlies official web site

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