Established
1995
City
Vancouver – Memphis
League History
1995 – Present / National Basketball Association
Team History
2001 – Present / Memphis Grizzlies
1995 – 2001 / Vancouver Grizzlies
Nickname
Grizzlies – The Vancouver Grizzlies were one of the most beloved teams in NBA history, and their nickname has an interesting origin story. The name “Grizzlies” was chosen to represent the strength, power, and ferocity of a bear native to British Columbia - the grizzly bear.
This majestic animal is known for its immense size, intelligence, and fearlessness when defending its territory or cubs from danger. It also symbolizes loyalty, courage, and hard work - all qualities that any sports team should strive for! In addition to being associated with these admirable traits, having a local mascot was thought to help connect fans in Vancouver with their team on a more personal level.
In 1995 when they first joined the NBA as an expansion franchise, they adopted this moniker and purple as their primary color scheme (a nod towards royalty). They even had some unique logos featuring bears over time, such as "Big Country" (named after former player Bryant Reeves), which featured two paw prints making up his initials, or "The Claw" logo, which showed off sharp claws reaching outwards from behind basketball netting! While unfortunately short-lived due to relocation issues after just six seasons playing at General Motors Place arena in downtown Vancouver, many diehard fans still fondly remember those days cheering on this Canadian squad wearing bright purple jerseys emblazoned with grizzlies across them, proudly representing our nation's west coast city!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
Arena
2004 – Present / FedExForum
2001 – 2004 / Pyramid Arena
*Vancouver*
1995 – 2001 / General Motors Place
Owner
2012 – Present / Robert J. Pera
2000 – 2012 / Michael Heisley
1995 – 2000 / Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment
- 1995
- 1996
- 2001
- 2002
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Vancouver Grizzlies Team Formation
The only former professional basketball team to play in Canada was the Toronto Huskies, who played a single season in 1946 – 1947 before folding. Attempts had been made by Nelson Skalbania, a local entrepreneur, to get an NBA franchise to Vancouver in the 1980s, but had failed. Arthur Griffiths, owner of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League ... -
Drafted Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Shareef Abdur-Rahim was selected third overall by the Grizzlies in the 1996 Draft. The Grizzlies also traded for Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers on 16 July 1996. Abdur-Rahim made an immediate impact playing for the Grizzlies, becoming the team’s leading scorer while setting a franchise record of 18.7 points per game (ppg). He finished third ... -
Sold to Michael Heisley
Financially, the lockout that occurred in 1998 was the turning point for the team. Attendance plummeted from a league average of 16,108 in the 1997 – 1998 season to 13,899 in the 1999 – 2000 season, which was the third-lowest in the league. Orca Bay started losing money on operations, in part because of a weak Canadian dollar. Griffiths sold ... -
Move to Memphis – Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies relocation to Memphis was a successful effort by the ownership group of the Vancouver Grizzlies to move the basketball team from the Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia, to the U.S. city of Memphis, Tennessee. The team began to play as the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2001 – 2002 season. It was the first of three National ...
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History of the Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies,now known as The Memphis Grizzlies, were a professional basketball team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1995 to 2001 before relocating to Memphis, Tennessee, and becoming the Memphis Grizzlies. The team was founded as part of an expansion into Canada alongside the Toronto Raptors and played their home games at General Motors Place (now Rogers Arena).
In their first season with legendary coach Brian Hill at the helm, they finished 15-67 but improved over time under new head coaches Lionel Hollins and Sidney Lowe. In the 1998–99 season, they had a respectable 22-60 record despite losing star forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim in midseason due to injury. The following year saw them finish 23-59 with Mike Bibby leading all scorers with an average of 19 points per game for that campaign alone; however, it wasn’t enough for them to make playoffs as teams such as Minnesota Timberwolves or Portland Trail Blazers did better than expected that year instead of them getting into postseason play.
Despite some good individual performances by players like Michael Dickerson who averaged 17 points per game during his tenure there between 1999–2001 seasons or Bryant Reeves who showed flashes of brilliance while playing center position throughout those years; overall lack of success led ownership group headed by Bill Laurie deciding it was best if franchise would relocate after six years being based out of Vancouver BC area due financial losses incurred each season amounting up millions dollars every single one making hard keep running business model any longer so move became inevitable decision made 2002 when NBA approved relocation request filed months prior announcement date set May 11th same calendar year which marked official end era known “Grizzlies” city Canadian province British Columbia where beloved mascot “Big Country” still remembered fondly this day even though he never got chance show what could do playoffs since didn't make once during stay Pacific Northwest region United States America.
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history