Although the Memphis Grizzlies are cubs in the NBA, they have started to grow up. Although they have only been in the NBA since 2001, the Grizzlies have already advanced to the playoffs for three seasons. The Grizzlies moved to Memphis before the 2001-2002 season, after playing in Vancouver for six years. Interestingly, the Grizzlies were not the first professional basketball team Memphis hosted. The Memphis Pros/Tams/Sounds was an ABA team that played in the city from 1970 to 1975.
Where did the name “Grizzlies” originate? In fact, the first name of the franchise was “Mounties”. However, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police objected to the name, as the Mounties was a nickname for their police force. Thus, the franchise selected the alternate team, the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies lost their first NBA game to the Detroit Pistons, 90-80.
They would eventually finish their season with a disappointing 23-59 record.
Two seasons later, the Grizzlies made some bold trades and finished the season with a sterling 50-32 record. His number of wins was almost double his previous highest total as a franchise. Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown became the NBA Coach of the Year. However, the Grizzlies were given a tough draft for the playoffs. The defending NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs, swept the Grizzlies in the latter’s first playoff series.
The following year, the Grizzlies began play at the new FedEx Forum, hoping to build on the previous season’s success. The Grizzlies posted a 45-37 record and captured the final playoff position in their conference. Unfortunately, they would be up against another powerful squad. This time, it was the Phoenix Suns running and shooting. Also, once again the opposing team swept the Grizzlies in the playoffs.
In the 2005-2006 season, the Grizzlies ranked third in their division (49-33), behind those two teams. In the playoffs, the Grizzlies again faced a tough and fairly familiar competitor: the Dallas Mavericks. For the third year in a row, the opposing team swept the Grizzlies.
Although the Grizzlies are a young team, some people from their franchise have received prestigious awards:
Hubie Brown: Coach of the Year: (204)
Brown won the NBA Coach of the Year award with the Atlanta Hawks (1977-1978), before winning it with the Grizzlies. Also, in 1975, Brown coached the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels to a championship.
Paul Gasol: Rookie of the Year (2002)
A native of Spain, Gasol first played in Spain’s Liga ACB, before playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. In 2006, Gasol played in the NBA All-Star game, as the first Grizzlies player and the first Spaniard. Gasol is also a member of the Spanish basketball team.
Mike Miller: Sixth Man (2006)
Before playing in the NBA, Miller participated in the NCAA basketball championship in 2000. Miller holds the Memphis Grizzlies team record for most points scored in a single game. He scored 45 points against the Golden State Warriors on February 21, 2007.
The Memphis Grizzlies are new, but they have promised. Wear Memphis Grizzlies merchandise to cheer on the big bears!
