Memphis Grizzlies
Webpages concerning "Memphis Grizzlies"
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Wikipedia-Article "Memphis Grizzlies"
| Memphis Grizzlies | |
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| Founded | 1995 |
| Arena | FedEx Forum |
| Team History | Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-2001) Memphis Grizzlies (2001-present) |
| Team Colors | Light blue, Middle blue, Dark blue, White, and Yellow |
| NBA Championships | 0 |
| Conference Championships | 0 |
| Division Titles | 0 |
| Owner | Michael Heisley |
| Head Coach | Mike Fratello |
| Mascot | "Grizz" |
The Memphis Grizzlies (formerly the Vancouver Grizzlies) are a National Basketball Association team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The current head coach is Mike Fratello, replacing Hubie Brown (who resigned in November 2004); the team is owned by Michael Heisley. The President of Basketball Operations is former Los Angeles Laker and Hall of Famer Jerry West.
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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 draft 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 drafted Antonio Daniels with the 4th pick who was largely seen as a bust but the team saw some improvement as it finished in 6th place. However the 1998-1999 season would bring the Grizzlies back to last place, despite drafting guard Mike Bibby with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft during the offseason. 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 in 2001 the franchise moved to Memphis, cutting short the NBA's time in Vancouver after just six years. (Interestingly, the team drew more fans in Vancouver than they have since drawn in Memphis. In their six years in Vancouver, the Grizzlies drew an average of 15,703 fans; in the franchise's first four years in Memphis, the team drew an average of 15,362 fans.)
After relocating to Memphis for the 2001-2002 season, the team named Jerry West as general manager of the team in 2002. West received the 2003-2004 NBA Executive of the Year Award. 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.
In the 2004-05 season Hubie Brown stepped down as head coach citing health reasons. At the time the Grizzlies had a losing record and West brought in TNT analyst and former coach, Mike Fratello as Hubie's replacement. The Grizzlies improved and advanced to the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Grizzlies, however, were once again swept in 4 games in the first round; this time by the Phoenix Suns. The Grizzlies had an active 2005 offseason in which they revamped the team and added veteran talent. While the Grizzlies lost Bonzi Wells, Jason Williams, Stromile Swift, and James Posey, they picked up Damon Stoudamire, Bobby Jackson, and Eddie Jones.
Trivia
As of 2005, the Grizzlies are the only team representing Memphis, Tennessee in the four major sports leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL). Although the NFL's Tennessee Titans represents the whole state, they play in Nashville.
Players of note
Basketball Hall of Famers:
- Hubie Brown (Coach)
Not to be forgotten:
Retired numbers:
None
Current players
 Current Roster |
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| Head Coach: Mike Fratello | Edit | |||
| SF | 31 |  |
Shane Battier | (Duke) |
| G | 1 | |
Antonio Burks | (Memphis) |
| F | 35 | |
Brian Cardinal | (Purdue) |
| C | 40 | |
Kimani Ffriend | (Nebraska) |
| PF | 16 |  |
Pau Gasol | (Spain) |
| PG | 24 | |
Bobby Jackson | (Minnesota) |
| G/F | 30 | |
Dahntay Jones | (Duke) |
| SF | 6 | |
Eddie Jones | (Temple) |
| SG | 33 | |
Mike Miller | (Florida) |
| SG | 3 | |
Anthony Roberson | (Florida) |
| F | 44 | |
Lawrence Roberts | (Mississippi State) |
| G | 20 | |
Damon Stoudamire | (Arizona) |
| C | 25 | |
John Thomas | (Minnesota) |
| C | 12 |  |
Jake Tsakalidis | (Georgia (country)) |
| F | 21 | |
Hakim Warrick | (Syracuse) |
| G/F | 7 | |
Kennedy Winston | (Alabama) |
| C | 42 | |
Lorenzen Wright | (Memphis) |
| (FA) - Free Agent | Memphis Grizzlies | |||
External links
- Memphis Grizzlies official web site
- Official Summer Pro League Memphis Grizzlies official web site
- History of amateur and professional basketball in Canada at Frozen Hoops
| National Basketball Association (2005–06) |
| Eastern Conference |
|---|
| Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics | New Jersey Nets | New York Knicks | Philadelphia 76ers | Toronto Raptors |
| Central Division: Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Pistons | Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks | Charlotte Bobcats | Miami Heat | Orlando Magic | Washington Wizards |
| Western Conference |
| Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets | Minnesota Timberwolves | Portland Trail Blazers | Seattle SuperSonics | Utah Jazz |
| Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors | Los Angeles Clippers | Los Angeles Lakers | Phoenix Suns | Sacramento Kings |
| Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks | Houston Rockets | Memphis Grizzlies | New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets | San Antonio Spurs |
| Other Articles: NBA Finals | NBA All-Star Game | NBA Draft | Current Team Rosters | |