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1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies season

Stu Jackson (6–33) Showcase

The 1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies season was the second season for the Vancouver Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association. Coming off of finishing with the league's worst record at 15–67 in their inaugural season, the Grizzlies received the third overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected small forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim from the University of California, and also selected power forward Roy Rogers from the University of Alabama with the 22nd overall pick. The team acquired Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers, and signed free agent Lee Mayberry during the off-season.

However, the Grizzlies continued to struggle in their second season, losing their first seven games of the regular season, then posting an 8-game losing streak in January as head coach Brian Winters was fired after an 8–35 start, and was replaced with General Manager Stu Jackson. The Grizzlies held a 9–42 record at the All-Star break, then suffered a 15-game losing streak between February and March, and went on a nine-game losing streak between March and April, finishing in last place in the Midwest Division with a league worst record of 14–68, their worst record in franchise history.

Abdur-Rahim averaged 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while second-year star Bryant Reeves showed improvement averaging 16.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, and Peeler provided the team with 14.5 points and 1.5 steals per game, and led them with 128 three-point field goals. In addition, Greg Anthony contributed 9.5 points, 6.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game, while Lynch provided with 8.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, but only played just 41 games due to an abdominal strain injury. Off the bench, Blue Edwards provided with 7.8 points per game, while second-year guard Lawrence Moten contributed 6.7 points per game, Rogers averaged 6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and led the team with 2.0 blocks per game, and Mayberry contributed 5.1 points and 4.1 assists per game.

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Abdur-Rahim and Rogers were both selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as members of the Western Conference Rookie team; Abdur-Rahim scored 17 points as the Western Conference lost to the Eastern Conference, 96–91. Abdur-Rahim also finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting. The Grizzlies finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 683,442 at General Motors Place during the regular season.

Following the season, Anthony signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics, while Jackson was fired as head coach, Rogers was traded to the Boston Celtics, and Moten and Eric Mobley were both released to free agency.

Draft picks

The Grizzlies first draft pick was Shareef Abdur-Rahim, which was the third overall pick in the draft.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	3	Shareef Abdur-Rahim	Forward	United States	University of California
1	22	Roy Rogers	Forward	United States	University of Alabama
2	51	Chris Robinson	Guard	United States	Western Kentucky University

Roster

Stu Jackson
Lionel Hollins
Rex Hughes
Jimmy Powell

Roster notes

Small forward Doug Edwards was on the injured reserve list due to compartment syndrome in both legs, and missed the entire regular season.

Regular season

The Grizzlies would open the season with a seven-game losing streak before earning their first win, as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 92–89 in their eighth game. Wins would be few and far between for Vancouver, as they finished the season with a 14–68 record, which was one game worse than their expansion season. The Grizzlies also once again finished in last place in the league.

Highs

The Grizzlies swept a season series for the first time in team history, as they won both of their games against the Boston Celtics. The win against the Celtics was also the only time the Grizzlies won consecutive games during the season, as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs the previous game.
Vancouver scored a season high 121 points in their final game of the season, as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 121–107.

Lows

The Grizzlies lose their first seven games of the season, including a double OT loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in their seventh game.
Vancouver gives up a season high 127 points in a 127–80 loss to the Indiana Pacers on December 4, 1996.
After a 95–76 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 23, 1997, Vancouver fires head coach Brian Winters and general manager Stu Jackson takes over for the remainder of the season.
On March 19, 1997, the Grizzlies lose their season high fifteenth straight game, as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeat Vancouver 95–72.

Season standings

Game log

82	April 19	@ Phoenix Suns	121–107	14–68	19,023

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player	POS	GP	GS	MP	REB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS	MPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
	PF	82	50	1,848	386	46	21	163	543	22.5	4.7	.6	.3	2.0	6.6
	PF	80	71	2,802	555	175	79	79	1,494	35.0	6.9	2.2	1.0	1.0	18.7
	PG	80	38	1,952	134	329	60	8	410	24.4	1.7	4.1	.8	.1	5.1
	C	75	75	2,777	610	160	29	67	1,213	37.0	8.1	2.1	.4	.9	16.2
	SG	72	57	2,291	247	256	105	17	1,041	31.8	3.4	3.6	1.5	.2	14.5
	SG	67	18	1,214	119	129	48	24	447	18.1	1.8	1.9	.7	.4	6.7
	PG	65	44	1,863	184	407	129	4	616	28.7	2.8	6.3	2.0	.1	9.5
	SF	61	12	1,439	189	114	38	20	478	23.6	3.1	1.9	.6	.3	7.8
	PF	54	1	662	156	47	26	17	182	12.3	2.9	.9	.5	.3	3.4
	SF	41	27	1,059	261	76	63	17	342	25.8	6.4	1.9	1.5	.4	8.3
	SG	41	6	681	71	65	28	9	188	16.6	1.7	1.6	.7	.2	4.6
†	PF	32	1	553	138	15	16	26	197	17.3	4.3	.5	.5	.8	6.2
	C	28	8	307	58	14	5	10	72	11.0	2.1	.5	.2	.4	2.6
†	C	19	1	115	35	4	3	2	34	6.1	1.8	.2	.2	.1	1.8
†	PF	16	1	128	23	2	3	1	44	8.0	1.4	.1	.2	.1	2.8
	PG	8	0	89	12	23	4	0	12	11.1	1.5	2.9	.5	.0	1.5

† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Grizzlies only.

Awards and records

Shareef Abdur-Rahim, First Team, NBA All-Rookie Team

Transactions

Vancouver would make a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, as the Grizzlies would acquire Anthony Peeler and George Lynch along with the Lakers second round draft choices in 1997 and 1998 for Vancouver's second round draft choices in 1997 and 1998. Peeler would start 57 games for the Grizzlies in the 1996–97 season and finish third in team scoring averaging 14.5 points per game.

References

Grizzlies on Basketball Reference

References

[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/VAN/1997.html 1996-97 Vancouver Grizzlies]
Brown, Clifton. (June 27, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade". The New York Times.
Heisler, Mark. (June 27, 1996). "The Surprises Are Few". Los Angeles Times.
"1996 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
(July 17, 1996). "Laker Trade May Signal Big Deal". Los Angeles Times.
(July 17, 1996). "L.A. Trades for $$$, Not for New Talent". Deseret News.
(July 18, 1996). "Lakers Sweeten Deal, Offer Shaq $120 Million". The Spokesman-Review.
(July 23, 1996). "Grizzlies Jettison Scott to Make Room to Sign Free Agent Mayberry". Los Angeles Times.
(July 24, 1996). "Grizzlies Sign Mayberry". The Oklahoman.
(January 25, 1997). "Winters Out in Vancouver; Augmon Traded to Portland". Los Angeles Times.
(January 25, 1997). "Griz End Winters of Their Discontent". The Spokesman-Review.
(January 25, 1997). "Basketball Briefs". Deseret News.
"NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997". Basketball-Reference.
(March 19, 1997). "Timberwolves 95, Grizzlies 72". United Press International.
"1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
(April 2, 1997). "Williams Expects to Sign with Bulls". Los Angeles Times.
(April 2, 1997). "Muscle Strain Ends Long, Tough Season for Roanoker Lynch". Roanoke Times.
"1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
Fry, Darrell. (February 8, 1997). "On to the Next Stage". Tampa Bay Times.
Roberts, Selena. (February 9, 1997). "Iverson Takes Rookie Honor, But He's No M.V.P. to Fans". The New York Times.
"1997 NBA Rising Stars: East 96, West 91". Basketball-Reference.
(May 2, 1997). "Iverson Is Voted Top Rookie". The New York Times.
"1996–97 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
"1996–97 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.
(October 10, 1997). "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics Sign Anthony". The New York Times.
(October 10, 1997). "Anthony Signs with Sonics". The Spokesman-Review.
Johnson, L.C.. (May 30, 1997). "Grizzlies Enter Hunt for Jackson". Orlando Sentinel.
(October 28, 1997). "Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack". Associated Press.
(October 29, 1997). "Transactions". The New York Times.
(November 19, 1996). "The Vancouver Sun - 19 Nov 1996, Tue - Page 7 - (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)". Newspapers.com.
(November 1, 1997). "The Vancouver Sun - 01 Nov 1997, Sat - Page 12 - (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)". Newspapers.com.

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