2001-02: Inaugural Season Surpasses All Expectations

“Beat LA!” “Beat LA!” all around the Pyramid the chant could be heard. It was December 21, 2001, and the Grizzlies faced their second match against the World Champion LA Lakers. The first time around the Grizzlies recorded a tough lost at the Staples Center, but this time the Lakers were treading on Grizzlies ground. “Beat LA!” was the battle cry and the Grizzlies answered the call. When the final shot was released the score board read, Memphis Grizzlies 114, LA Lakers 108. This was the pinnacle of a three-game winning streak for the Grizzlies and one of the many highlights of 2001-2002 season.

2001 Pre-season: On the Way Up

Now that the Grizzlies have migrated South and settled into their new den, things are looking good. So far the team has added eight new players to it roster, including two strong contenders for Rookie of the Year Shane Battier (F) and Pau Gasol (F). Also Memphians are happy to welcome former University of Memphis star Lorenzen Wright (F-C) back home.

2001: Memphis Goes to the Hoop and Scores!

With the arrival of the Grizzlies, Mid-Southerners now have major-league sports right in their backyard. At the mid-point of the 2000-01 season, Michael Heisley, the owner of the Grizzlies, began to reconsider the team's future in Vancouver. With his mind set on relocation, Heisley appealed to the NBA Board of Governors.

1997-99: Entertaining Fans - Still Learning How to Win

Success is relative. While the 1997-99 Vancouver Grizzlies weren't contenders for the Western Conference title, they did show signs of improvement and flashes of good basketball.

1995-97: Team Learns Expansion Lessons

Their first season in the NBA turned out to be a learning experience for the Grizzlies. What they learned is that they'll need to shoot better, rebound better, play better defense and score more points in order to win more games.

The NBA Settles North of the Border

The Vancouver Grizzlies joined the NBA for the 1995-96 season, along with the Toronto Raptors, as part of the league's two-pronged expansion into Canada. Vancouver and Toronto became the first non-U.S. cities to join the league since 1946-47.