The Vancouver Grizzlies were a professional basketball team from Canada. They were founded in 1995 and in 2000, they relocated and became the Memphis Grizzlies. Vancouver never qualified for the NBA Playoffs.
Team Profile
The team was part of the Western Conference and they played in the Midwest Division of the National Basketball Association.
| Country |
Canada
|
| City | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Ground | General Motors Place |
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Their home area was General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The team colors are bronze, red, turquoise, and black.
History
In 1995, the Vancouver Grizzlies along with the Toronto Raptors became the first teams from Canada to join the NBA after the Toronto Huskies in 1946.
The Vancouver Grizzlies were based in Vancouver, Canada, and initially planned to be named the Vancouver Mounties. However, the team later choose to be named the Vancouver Grizzlies after the Canadian Grizzly bear, which is also their team logo. They were among the former teams to have their own website in the NBA.
In its first year in the NBA, the Grizzlies were coached by Brian Winters and played their first game against the Portland Trailblazers on 3rd November 1995. The Grizzlies went on to win the first two matches played against the Portland Trailblazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves however ended the season with their lowest win-loss ratio of 15 wins and 67 losses.
In 1996, the team was coached by Brian Winter and Stu Jackson. The same year the team drafted Shareef Abdur Rahim.
In 1997, the team got its new coach in Brian Hill. That year they finished sixth with a 19- 63 win-loss ratio.
In 1998, the Grizzlies drafted Mike Bibby who in his debut year was selected to the All-Rookie First Team. The same year Abdur Rahim scored his career highest 23.0 points per game.
In 1999, the team was coached by Brian Hill and Lionel Hollins. It was then that the Grizzlies drafted Steve Francis who was later traded to Houston Rockets following his discontent to play with the Vancouver team. The Grizzlies once again finished in last place with 22 wins and 60 losses.
In 2000, after decreasing home support and subsequent losses, the team was relocated to Memphis. After the relocation, the team was renamed as the Memphis Grizzlies.
Head Coaches
- Brian Winters - 1995–1997
- Stu Jackson - 1997
- Brian Hill - 1997–1999
- Lionel Hollins - 1999–2000
- Sidney Lowe - 2000–2001
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