Vancouver Grizzlies

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The path to Vancouver began with Nelson Skalbania's failed attempts in the 1980s and Arthur Griffiths' successful push starting in February 1993. A dispute over British Columbia's sports lottery (Sports Action) that included NBA games was resolved on February 9, 1994, with the Grizzlies agreeing to donate $500,000 annually to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and Museum—this was settled before the franchise was officially awarded on April 27, 1994. Originally hoping for the name "Vancouver Mounties," objections from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police forced a change to "Grizzlies" in August 1994. The team became the NBA's 29th franchise after paying a US$125 million fee. Ownership shifted from Griffiths to John McCaw, Jr. by March 7, 1995, forming Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment. On December 21, 1994, Shoppers Drug Mart purchased 2,500 season tickets to help the team reach the required 12,500 sales. The Grizzlies made history as the first NBA team with a website in 1995, created by Bob Kerstein, while Josh Davis designed their logo.

In Their Own Story

The Grizzlies' early years were defined by losing streaks and draft heartbreak. Their first official contest was a win against the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by another victory over the Timberwolves, before they lost 19 straight games. They set an NBA single-season record of 23 consecutive losses between February and April, finishing with only 15 wins and 67 losses (.196 winning percentage). Shareef Abdur-Rahim was selected third overall in 1996, averaging 18.7 points per game as a rookie. In 1998, the team selected Mike Bibby second overall after trading for him. The 1998–99 lockout shortened the season to 50 games, where they finished 8–42 (.160 winning percentage). A major turning point came in the 1999 draft when they selected Steve Francis with the second pick. Francis refused to play in Vancouver after an airport incident and was traded in a massive eleven-player deal involving three teams. Despite high draft picks, the team could not escape their losing record.

Reader's Guide

The Vancouver Grizzlies' history is marked by specific turning points and roster moves that defined their six-season tenure. Key moments include the 1995 expansion draft where they selected Greg Anthony after winning a coin flip against Toronto, though they were denied top-five picks for three seasons. The team signed Kevin Pritchard as its first player and hired Brian Winters as head coach on June 19, 1995. In the 1997–98 season, they finished ahead of the Denver Nuggets with 19 wins under new coach Brian Hill. The 1996 trade for Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Lakers helped bolster the roster around Abdur-Rahim. Attendance averaged 17,183 in their inaugural year, ranking 14th in the league. The team's colors were turquoise, bronze, and red. The franchise ended its Vancouver run after the 2000–01 season due to financial losses driven by currency exchange rates and attendance issues.

Did You Know?

• The Grizzlies were the first NBA team to have a website, created in 1995 by Bob Kerstein.
• The original proposed name was 'Vancouver Mounties,' but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police objected.
• To meet the 12,500 season ticket requirement before January 1, 1995, Shoppers Drug Mart bought the final 2,500 tickets on December 21, 1994.
• The Grizzlies had a 23-game losing streak, but it spanned two seasons (the end of 1995–96 and the start of 1996–97); the single-season record at the time was held by the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers with 20 straight losses
• Steve Francis was selected second overall in the 1999 draft but refused to play in Vancouver and was traded immediately.