Memphis Grizzlies Tickets

The Memphis Grizzlies' original tracks are in Canada. The addition of Toronto and Vancouver in 1995-96 brought top-tier pro basketball north of the border for the first time in 50 years. But poor play and lagging support seemed to go hand-in-hand for the Griz. As a result, Memphis Grizzlies Tickets stay in Vancouver lasted only six years. During that time, forward Sharif Abdur-Rahim and center Bryant Reeves provided most of the entertainment, and the Memphis Grizzlies did manage to avoid the Midwest Division cellar once-when Denver managed only 11 victories in 1997-98. Before playing their first game in Memphis Grizzlies Tickets in 2001-02, the Griz traded Abdur-Rahim for the draft rights to Pau Gasol, a magnificently talented Spaniard who won NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Before 2002-03, Memphis Grizzlies tickets added the winning experience of Jerry West to the front office and Hubie Brown as head coach and began what is hoped will be a steady climb.

1994 With local sports magnate Arthur Griffiths having made a strong pitch, the Vancouver Memphis Grizzlies Tickets get the official NBA go-ahead as the league's 29th franchise, joining Toronto in a two-team expansion into Canada. 1995 Vancouver selects Knicks guard Greg Anthony as its top pick in the expansion draft and Oklahoma State 7-footer Bryant "Big Country" Reeves in the first round of the college draft. 1995-96 The Memphis Grizzlies Tickets defy expansion logic by winning their first two games, but the remainder of their first season includes a stretch of 23 straight losses. They finish with a 15-67 mark.

1996-97 Team president Stu Jackson takes over for the team's first coach, Brian Winters, in mid-season, but not even star rookie Shareef Abdur-Rahim can keep Vancouver from a franchise-worst 14-68 season.
1998 Vancouver finds a backcourt complement to the play of Reeves and Abdur-Rahim in the paint when it takes Mike Bibby with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. 2000-01 In the midst of another last-place finish and declining support in Vancouver, Memphis Grizzlies NBA Team executives visit Memphis Grizzlies. Owner Michael Heisley ask for permission to move his team there, and the NBA grants it. 2001-02 Memphis welcomes the Memphis Grizzlies. Pau Gasol, acquired in a preseason trade for Abdur-Rahim, wins NBA Rookie of the Year honors. 2002-03 Hall of Famer Jerry West joins the club as director of basketball operations and Hubie Brown, with a coaching resume that includes five NBA playoff appearances and an ABA title, becomes the sixth head coach in franchise history.