Team:
Memphis Grizzlies
Sport: NBA Basketball
Background: The Memphis Grizzlies
are a National Basketball Association team
based in Memphis, Tennessee. The current head
coach is Hubie Brown; the team is owned by
Michael Heisley.
Founded: 1995
Formerly known as: Vancouver
Grizzlies 1995-2001
Home Arena: FedExForum, 2004
Former Arenas: General Motors
Place, Vancouver, 1995-2001 and Memphis Pyramid,
2001-2004.
Uniform colors: Black, Turquoise
blue, White, and Red
Logo design: New logo for
2004-05, not shown: A blue bear's head, with
"MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES" below it in
stylized block letters.
Franchise history:
The Vancouver Grizzlies began NBA play in
1995 along with 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 the
team finished with the worst record in the
NBA. In 1996, the Grizzlies would get their
highest draft pick to date, taking Shareef
Abdur-Rahim with the 3rd pick in the draft.
Despite his solid play, the Grizzlies continued
to struggle, again having the worst record
in the NBA.
