Memphis Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies began play in 1995 as part of the NBA's expansion into Canada. They played their home games at General Motors Place for six seasons before moving to Memphis, Tennessee. The team applied to relocate on the 26th of March 2001 and received approval from the league on July 3. This move left the Toronto Raptors as the only Canadian basketball team remaining in the league. The franchise originally considered names like the Vancouver Mounties but faced objections from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They eventually adopted the name Grizzlies after the bear indigenous to British Columbia.
Billy Knight served as general manager until his departure following the 2001, 02 season. Jerry West took over as general manager in 2002 and won the 2003, 04 NBA Executive of the Year Award. Hubie Brown was hired as head coach during the 2002, 03 season and later won Coach of the Year when the team made the playoffs in 2004. The Grizzlies finished with a 50-win record that year under Gasol and Williams. A disastrous trade in 1997 sent their first-round pick to Detroit for Otis Thorpe who played only 47 games. That pick became Darko Miličić who is widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in history. Jason Williams joined the team from Sacramento Kings in exchange for Mike Bibby.
The 2010, 11 season marked the start of the Grit and Grind era with a 46, 36 record. On the 8th of April 2011 they secured an 101, 96 home victory over the Sacramento Kings to clinch playoff positioning. Their historic playoff run began on April 17 when they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 101, 98 on the road. This was the franchise's first ever playoff win. They then beat the Spurs again at home 91, 88 on April 23 before winning the series 4, 2. Marc Gasol earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors during the 2012, 13 season. The team reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 2013 after defeating Oklahoma City Thunder 4, 1.
Robert Pera purchased the team in October 2012 for approximately $350 million. He named Jason Levien as chief executive officer and managing partner shortly thereafter. Zachary Kleiman became general manager and EVP of basketball operations in 2019. The Grizzlies selected Ja Morant with the second pick in the 2019 NBA draft. Brandon Clarke arrived via trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder using the 21st overall selection. Morant averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game during the 2019, 20 season to win Rookie of the Year. He received 99 out of 100 first place votes on the ballot. The team finished 38, 34 in the shortened 2020, 21 season to earn an eighth seed.
The original uniforms retained Vancouver colors but added Memphis text upon arrival in 2001. A new design featuring navy blue, Beale Street blue, smoke blue, and gold debuted when moving to FedExForum in 2004. The split-letter style resembled Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Cavaliers uniforms from the 1990s. An alternate uniform released in 2009 used Beale Street blue as its base color. The 2018, 19 City uniform featured lettering based on I am a Man protest banners from the 1968 sanitation strike. Another City uniform paid tribute to professional wrestling in Memphis with grey base and gold letters. The 2020, 21 version honored Isaac Hayes and Stax Records using black base and metallic gold lettering.
Grizz became the official mascot in 1995 while the team was still in Vancouver. He won NBA Mascot of the Year honors in 2011. Friends of Grizz launched in 2007 to support cancer research after the performer playing Grizz fell ill. Growl Towels debuted in white during the 2004 playoffs before switching to gold for the 2004, 05 season. Over 100,000 towels were printed during their 2013 Western Conference Finals run. Whoop that Trick by Al Kapone became a standard chant since erupting during the 2013 playoff series against Los Angeles Clippers. Zach Randolph punched Steven Adams in Game 6 of the 2014 playoffs leading to his suspension.
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Common questions
When did the Vancouver Grizzlies begin play in the NBA?
The Vancouver Grizzlies began play in 1995 as part of the NBA's expansion into Canada. They played their home games at General Motors Place for six seasons before moving to Memphis, Tennessee.
Who purchased the Memphis Grizzlies and when did the transaction occur?
Robert Pera purchased the team in October 2012 for approximately $350 million. He named Jason Levien as chief executive officer and managing partner shortly thereafter.
What year did the Memphis Grizzlies reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time?
The team reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 2013 after defeating Oklahoma City Thunder 4, 1. This historic run followed a playoff series win against the San Antonio Spurs earlier that spring.
Which player won Rookie of the Year honors during the 2019, 20 season for the Memphis Grizzlies?
Ja Morant averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game during the 2019, 20 season to win Rookie of the Year. He received 99 out of 100 first place votes on the ballot.
When was the split-letter style uniform design introduced by the Memphis Grizzlies?
A new design featuring navy blue, Beale Street blue, smoke blue, and gold debuted when moving to FedExForum in 2004. The split-letter style resembled Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Cavaliers uniforms from the 1990s.