1995–96 Vancouver Grizzlies season

1995–96 Vancouver Grizzlies season
Head coachBrian Winters
General managerStu Jackson
OwnersArthur Griffiths
ArenaGeneral Motors Place
Results
Record15–67 (.183)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Midwest)
Conference: 14th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBCTV
Showcase
RadioCKNW
1996–97 >

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Grizzlies' first season in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Vancouver Grizzlies, along with the Toronto Raptors became expansion NBA franchises in 1995; they were the first NBA teams to play in Canada since the 1946–47 Toronto Huskies.[2][3][4][5][6] The Grizzlies revealed a new primary logo of a grizzly bear holding a basketball,[7] and got new uniforms with Native American markings on the trims of their jerseys, adding turquoise and brown to their color scheme.[8][9]

In the 1995 NBA expansion draft, the team selected veteran players like Greg Anthony, Blue Edwards, Byron Scott, Benoit Benjamin, Gerald Wilkins and Kenny Gattison.[10][11][12][13][14] The team also signed free agents Chris King and undrafted rookie forward Ashraf Amaya, and acquired Anthony Avent from the Orlando Magic.[15][16] The Grizzlies received the sixth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected center Bryant Reeves out of Oklahoma State University.[17][18][19][20][21] The team also hired Brian Winters as their first ever head coach.[22][23]

In their NBA debut on November 3, 1995, the Grizzlies got off to a solid start defeating the Portland Trail Blazers on the road, 92–80.[24][25][26] Two nights later on November 5, the Grizzlies had a successful home debut at General Motors Place by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 100–98.[27][28][29] However, despite winning their first two games, the team struggled and posted a dreadful 19-game losing streak afterwards, leading to an awful 2–19 start to the season.[30][31]

After 13 games, Benjamin was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Eric Murdock and second-year forward Eric Mobley,[32][33][34][35] while at mid-season, Gattison was dealt to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Jeff Turner, who never played for the Grizzlies due to a knee injury.[36][37][38] After holding a 10–37 record at the All-Star break,[39] the Grizzlies then suffered a dreadful 23-game losing streak between February and April, including a winless month in March,[40][41] and finished their inaugural season last place in the Midwest Division with an NBA worst record of 15 wins and 67 losses.[42]

Anthony was the team's scoring leader, averaging 14.0 points, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Reeves averaged 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Edwards provided the team with 12.7 points and 1.4 steals per game. In addition, Scott played a sixth man role, averaging 10.2 points per game off the bench, while Murdock contributed 9.1 points and 2.0 steals per game also off the bench, and King provided with 7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Wilkins averaged 6.7 points per game, but only played just 28 games due to back and Achilles tendon injuries,[43][44][45] while second round draft pick Lawrence Moten contributed 6.6 points per game, Amaya averaged 6.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and Avent provided with 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.[46]

Following the season, Scott re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers,[47][48][49] while Wilkins signed with the Orlando Magic,[44][45][50] Murdock signed with the Denver Nuggets,[51] Amaya signed with the Washington Bullets, and King, Avent and Turner were all released to free agency. The Grizzlies' new logo would remain in use until 2001, where the team moved to Memphis, Tennessee and replaced the word "Vancouver" with "Memphis" on the logo. The original logo lasted until 2004, while the new uniforms lasted until 2000.

Offseason

NBA expansion draft

The Grizzlies roster was filled during the 1995 NBA expansion draft. By way of winning a coin flip with the Toronto Raptors, Vancouver elected to choose the former, between a higher NBA draft pick and the first pick in the NBA expansion draft, and therefore had the second pick in this draft. With their first pick, the Grizzlies selected point guard Greg Anthony from the New York Knicks.

Pick Player Position Nationality Former Team
2 Greg Anthony Point guard  United States New York Knicks
4 Rodney Dent Center  United States Orlando Magic
6 Antonio Harvey Forward  United States Los Angeles Lakers
8 Reggie Slater Power forward-center  United States Denver Nuggets
10 Trevor Ruffin Point guard  United States Phoenix Suns
12 Derrick Phelps Point guard  United States Sacramento Kings
14 Larry Stewart Power forward  United States Washington Bullets
16 Kenny Gattison Power forward  United States Charlotte Hornets
18 Byron Scott Shooting guard  United States Indiana Pacers
20 Gerald Wilkins Small forward  United States Cleveland Cavaliers
22 Benoit Benjamin Center  United States New Jersey Nets
24 Doug Edwards Forward  United States Atlanta Hawks
26 Blue Edwards Shooting guard  United States Utah Jazz

[14]

NBA draft

Main article: 1995 NBA draft

The Grizzlies first ever draft pick was Bryant Reeves.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 6 Bryant Reeves Center  United States Oklahoma State
2 36 Lawrence Moten Guard  United States Syracuse

Roster

1995–96 Vancouver Grizzlies roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 18 Amaya, Ashraf 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1971–11–23 Southern Illinois
G 2 Anthony, Greg 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1967–11–15 UNLV
F 34 Avent, Anthony 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1969–10–18 Seton Hall
G 30 Edwards, Blue 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1965–10–31 East Carolina
F 32 Edwards, Doug 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1971–01–21 Florida State
F 17 King, Chris 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1969–07–24 Wake Forest
C 15 Manning, Rich Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1970–06–23 Washington
G 40 Martin, Cuonzo 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 1971–09–23 Purdue
C 52 Mobley, Eric Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1970–02–01 Pittsburgh
G 7 Moten, Lawrence 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1972–03–25 Syracuse
G 14 Murdock, Eric 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1968–06–14 Providence
C 50 Reeves, Bryant 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 290 lb (132 kg) 1973–06–08 Oklahoma State
G 4 Scott, Byron 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961–03–28 Arizona State
F – Turner, Jeff Injured (IN) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1962–04–09 Vanderbilt
F 21 Wilkins, Gerald 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1963–09–11 Chattanooga
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

  • Power forward Jeff Turner was acquired from the Orlando Magic at midseason, but did not play for the Grizzlies due to a knee injury.

First game

  • On November 3, 1995, Vancouver played their first ever game in Portland against the Trail Blazers and beat the Blazers by a score of 92–80. Benoit Benjamin scored a team high 29 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies.

Regular season

Although they won their first two games in franchise history, the Grizzlies finished with the worst win–loss record in the 1995–96 NBA season, as is typical for an expansion team, and lost 23 straight games from February to April (setting an NBA single-season record now held by the Philadelphia 76ers with 27.)

Highs

  • On November 3, 1995, Vancouver plays their first ever game, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 92–80 in Portland. On November 5, 1995, the Grizzlies make their home debut, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 100–98 in overtime in front of 19,113 fans, to begin the season with a 2–0 record.
  • The Grizzlies defeat nearby rivals the Seattle SuperSonics by a single point in a hotly contested game on December 19, 1995. The crowd leaves ecstatic.
  • The Grizzlies hold the Miami Heat to only 65 points in a 69–65 victory on January 13, 1996.
  • Vancouver finishes the season on a positive note, defeating the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers on the road.

Lows

  • After starting the season 2–0, Vancouver would lose their next 19 games to quickly fall into last place in the Midwest Division.
  • Vancouver was held to a season low 62 points in a 111–62 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on November 8, 1995.
  • On December 10, 1995, the Grizzlies play the Toronto Raptors for the first time. The first NBA regular season game contested between two non-U.S. based teams. The game is held at General Motors Place in Vancouver. The Raptors win the game by a score of 93–81.
  • On April 2, 1996, Vancouver loses its 23rd straight game, losing 101–85 to the Portland Trail Blazers. The loss was also the Grizzlies 29th in their last 30 games.

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 59 23 .720 – 33–8 26–15 19–5
x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 4 34–7 21–20 14–10
x-Houston Rockets 48 34 .585 11 27–14 21–20 15–9
Denver Nuggets 35 47 .427 24 24–17 11–30 13–11
Minnesota Timberwolves 26 56 .317 33 17–24 9–32 10–14
Dallas Mavericks 26 56 .317 33 16–25 10–31 10–14
Vancouver Grizzlies 15 67 .183 44 10–31 5–36 3–21
Western Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 c-Seattle SuperSonics * 64 18 .780 – 82
2 y-San Antonio Spurs * 59 23 .720 5 82
3 x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 9 82
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 11 82
5 x-Houston Rockets 48 34 .585 16 82
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 44 38 .537 20 82
7 x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 23 82
8 x-Sacramento Kings 39 43 .476 25 82
9 Golden State Warriors 36 46 .439 28 82
10 Denver Nuggets 35 47 .427 29 82
11 Los Angeles Clippers 29 53 .354 35 82
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 26 56 .317 38 82
13 Dallas Mavericks 26 56 .317 38 82
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 15 67 .183 49 82

Record vs. opponents

1995-96 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta — 4–0 3–1 0–4 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–3
Boston 0–4 — 2–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–2 0–4 1–3 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–2
Charlotte 1–3 2–2 — 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–3 3–0 0–4 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1
Chicago 4–0 3–0 3–1 — 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 3–0 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 1–3 3–1 1–3 0–4 — 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 1–2 3–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Dallas 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 — 2–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 — 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1
Detroit 2–2 1–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 — 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–2
Golden State 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 0–2 — 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 — 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Indiana 3–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 — 2–0 1–1 3–0 3–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–0
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 — 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 4–0 — 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Miami 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 0–2 — 3–0 1–1 5–0 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 2–2
Milwaukee 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–3 — 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3
Minnesota 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 — 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 0–2
New Jersey 0–4 2–2 3–0 0–3 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–5 3–1 1–1 — 2–2 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2
New York 1–2 4–0 0–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 — 1–3 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 3–1
Orlando 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 — 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Philadelphia 1–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 — 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–3
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 — 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Portland 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 — 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–3 2–2 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 — 1–3 0–4 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 — 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Seattle 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 0–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 4–0 2–2 — 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1
Toronto 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 — 0–2 1–1 3–1
Utah 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–3 2–0 — 4–0 1–1
Vancouver 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 — 0–2
Washington 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 0–4 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 —

Game log

# Date Opponent Score Record Attendance
1 November 3 @ Portland Trail Blazers 92–80 1–0 19,115
2 November 5 Minnesota Timberwolves 100–98 (OT) 2–0 19,193
3 November 7 @ Dallas Mavericks 88–99 2–1 15,325
4 November 8 @ San Antonio Spurs 62–111 2–2 12,355
5 November 10 Los Angeles Clippers 91–98 2–3 17,345
6 November 11 @ Seattle SuperSonics 81–117 2–4 17,102
7 November 13 Dallas Mavericks 89–94 2–5 17,171
8 November 16 @ Los Angeles Clippers 98–103 2–6 10,169
9 November 17 Los Angeles Lakers 91–114 2–7 19,193
10 November 19 @ New York Knicks 93–98 2–8 19,763
11 November 22 @ Orlando Magic 93–95 2–9 17,248
12 November 24 @ Charlotte Hornets 104–116 2–10 24,042
13 November 25 @ Miami Heat 91–111 2–11 14,293
14 November 28 @ Minnesota Timberwolves 98–121 2–12 10,251
15 November 30 Chicago Bulls 88–94 2–13 19,193
16 December 1 @ Los Angeles Lakers 100–113 2–14 12,426
17 December 3 Milwaukee Bucks 95–109 2–15 14,149
18 December 5 @ Phoenix Suns 108–112 2–16 19,023
19 December 7 Detroit Pistons 84–93 2–17 14,685
20 December 10 Toronto Raptors 81–93 2–18 17,438
21 December 13 Houston Rockets 89–100 2–19 15,715
22 December 15 Portland Trail Blazers 104–100 (OT) 3–19 15,236
23 December 16 Golden State Warriors 85–116 3–20 15,539
24 December 18 @ Sacramento Kings 85–92 3–21 17,317
25 December 19 Seattle SuperSonics 94–93 4–21 16,701
26 December 21 @ Seattle SuperSonics 68–92 4–22 17,072
27 December 22 Phoenix Suns 80–101 4–23 17,636
28 December 26 @ Houston Rockets 84–100 4–24 16,285
29 December 28 @ Dallas Mavericks 101–103 (2OT) 4–25 17,502
30 December 30 Boston Celtics 103–95 5–25 19,193
31 January 5 Philadelphia 76ers 103–102 (OT) 6–25 17,870
32 January 7 Los Angeles Clippers 93–101 6–26 18,089
33 January 9 @ Golden State Warriors 103–109 6–27 15,025
34 January 10 Denver Nuggets 85–91 6–28 15,416
35 January 12 Golden State Warriors 95–104 6–29 16,581
36 January 13 Miami Heat 69–65 7–29 17,532
37 January 18 Cleveland Cavaliers 90–98 7–30 16,805
38 January 20 New York Knicks 84–80 8–30 19,193
39 January 22 @ Milwaukee Bucks 100–92 9–30 13,488
40 January 24 @ Chicago Bulls 84–104 9–31 23,652
41 January 25 @ Toronto Raptors 106–101 (OT) 10–31 21,378
42 January 27 @ Washington Bullets 77–102 10–32 18,756
43 January 29 @ Philadelphia 76ers 92–103 10–33 8,422
44 January 31 @ Boston Celtics 98–131 10–34 17,025
45 February 2 New Jersey Nets 84–93 10–35 16,141
46 February 5 Utah Jazz 83–92 10–36 15,827
47 February 7 @ Utah Jazz 79–102 10–37 19,911
48 February 14 Sacramento Kings 93–86 11–37 15,391
49 February 16 Atlanta Hawks 100–110 11–38 15,664
50 February 18 Seattle SuperSonics 109–118 11–39 19,193
51 February 19 @ Phoenix Suns 94–98 (OT) 11–40 19,023
52 February 25 San Antonio Spurs 84–95 11–41 16,598
53 February 28 Los Angeles Lakers 80–99 11–42 19,193
54 March 1 Dallas Mavericks 111–119 11–43 15,656
55 March 2 @ Denver Nuggets 82–108 11–44 15,832
56 March 4 Washington Bullets 81–96 11–45 15,996
57 March 5 @ Golden State Warriors 78–110 11–46 15,025
58 March 8 Indiana Pacers 80–94 11–47 16,451
59 March 10 Houston Rockets 89–95 11–48 19,193
60 March 11 @ Sacramento Kings 88–92 11–49 17,317
61 March 15 Orlando Magic 87–92 (OT) 11–50 19,193
62 March 17 @ Minnesota Timberwolves 85–90 11–51 12,228
63 March 19 @ New Jersey Nets 77–82 11–52 10,621
64 March 20 @ Atlanta Hawks 93–98 11–53 8,297
65 March 22 @ Indiana Pacers 94–111 11–54 16,715
66 March 24 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 85–90 11–55 18,108
67 March 26 @ Detroit Pistons 75–86 11–56 15,781
68 March 28 Denver Nuggets 88–92 11–57 16,889
69 March 29 @ Utah Jazz 91–105 11–58 19,911
70 March 31 Charlotte Hornets 88–121 11–59 18,147
71 April 2 @ Portland Trail Blazers 85–101 11–60 19,868
72 April 3 Minnesota Timberwolves 105–103 12–60 16,216
73 April 5 @ Los Angeles Lakers 94–104 12–61 17,505
74 April 7 Phoenix Suns 92–112 12–62 19,193
75 April 9 @ Houston Rockets 84–90 12–63 16,285
76 April 10 @ San Antonio Spurs 82–105 12–64 17,269
77 April 12 Sacramento Kings 99–98 13–64 18,619
78 April 14 Portland Trail Blazers 79–81 13–65 16,522
79 April 16 San Antonio Spurs 86–95 13–66 16,127
80 April 18 Utah Jazz 79–94 13–67 18,407
81 April 19 @ Denver Nuggets 92–78 14–67 15,119
82 April 21 @ Los Angeles Clippers 108–101 15–67 13,298

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Blue Edwards SF 82 82 2,773 346 212 118 46 1,043 33.8 4.2 2.6 1.4 .6 12.7
Chris King SF 80 66 1,930 285 104 68 33 634 24.1 3.6 1.3 .9 .4 7.9
Byron Scott SG 80 0 1,894 192 123 63 22 819 23.7 2.4 1.5 .8 .3 10.2
Bryant Reeves C 77 63 2,460 570 109 43 55 1,021 31.9 7.4 1.4 .6 .7 13.3
Anthony Avent PF 71 32 1,586 355 69 30 42 415 22.3 5.0 1.0 .4 .6 5.8
Greg Anthony PG 69 68 2,096 174 476 116 11 967 30.4 2.5 6.9 1.7 .2 14.0
Eric Murdock† PG 64 14 1,480 155 292 129 9 585 23.1 2.4 4.6 2.0 .1 9.1
Ashraf Amaya PF 54 34 1,104 303 33 22 10 339 20.4 5.6 .6 .4 .2 6.3
Lawrence Moten SG 44 3 573 61 50 29 8 291 13.0 1.4 1.1 .7 .2 6.6
Eric Mobley† C 34 1 611 128 22 13 23 182 18.0 3.8 .6 .4 .7 5.4
Doug Edwards PF 31 0 519 87 39 10 18 93 16.7 2.8 1.3 .3 .6 3.0
Rich Manning PF 29 0 311 55 7 3 6 107 10.7 1.9 .2 .1 .2 3.7
Gerald Wilkins SG 28 14 738 65 68 22 2 188 26.4 2.3 2.4 .8 .1 6.7
Kenny Gattison PF 25 14 570 114 14 10 11 229 22.8 4.6 .6 .4 .4 9.2
Darrick Martin† PG 24 0 402 38 61 27 1 161 16.8 1.6 2.5 1.1 .0 6.7
Antonio Harvey† PF 18 6 410 94 9 14 21 98 22.8 5.2 .5 .8 1.2 5.4
Benoit Benjamin† C 13 13 404 103 16 10 15 181 31.1 7.9 1.2 .8 1.2 13.9
Cuonzo Martin SG 4 0 19 2 2 1 0 9 4.8 .5 .5 .3 .0 2.3
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Grizzlies only.

Franchise firsts

On opening night, the Grizzlies would spoil the Portland Trail Blazers debut at the Rose Garden Arena by defeating them. A few nights later, the Grizzlies would play their first home game, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves at the buzzer.

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies
  2. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Vancouver Gets N.B.A. Team". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 28, 1994. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  3. ^ "Vancouver to Join NBA as Expansion Team". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. April 28, 1994. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (May 1, 1994). "April 24–30; N.B.A. Jumps the Border". The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  5. ^ Brown, Clifton (November 3, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Now Playing in the N.B.A., the Raptors and the Grizzlies". The New York Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  6. ^ Farber, Michael (November 20, 1995). "Whoa, Canada! When the NBA Hit the Court in Toronto and Vancouver, It Was Clear Both Fans and Players Had a Lot to Learn - Sports Illustrated Vault". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  7. ^ "Vancouver Grizzlies Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Vancouver Grizzlies Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  9. ^ "Vancouver Grizzlies Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  10. ^ Wise, Mike (June 25, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Anthony Is No. 2 of the Secaucus 27". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 25, 1995). "Armstrong Becomes Top Expansion Pick: NBA: Raptors Take Guard from Bulls. Massenburg Also Headed to Toronto, While Lakers Lose Harvey to Vancouver". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  12. ^ Smith, Sam (June 25, 1995). "Toronto Picks Armstrong; May Not Trade Him". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  13. ^ "NBA Expansion Draft -- Point Guards Are Top Priority for Young Raptors, Grizzlies". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1995. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "1995 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  15. ^ Romano, John (November 2, 1995). "Grizzlies Deal for Magic's Avent". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Basketball Briefs". Deseret News. November 2, 1995. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Wise, Mike (June 29, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  18. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 29, 1995). "NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  19. ^ "NBA DRAFT: Clippers Deal No. 2 McDyess to Nuggets: Pro Basketball: L.A. Gets Rodney Rogers and Rights to Oregon State's Brent Barry. O'Bannon Goes Ninth to New Jersey, and Zidek Is Selected No. 22 by Charlotte". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 29, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  20. ^ Nakamura, David (June 29, 1995). "Joe Goes West as Warriors Make Smith No. 1 Pick". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  21. ^ "1995 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  22. ^ "Grizzlies Name Winters Head Coach". United Press International. June 19, 1995. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  23. ^ "Grizzlies Hire Winters". Orlando Sentinel. June 20, 1995. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  24. ^ "Grizzlies Win Behind Benjamin". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 4, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  25. ^ "NBA ROUNDUP: Grizzlies, Raptors Welcome Reality with Big Victories". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. November 4, 1995. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  26. ^ "Vancouver Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, November 3, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  27. ^ "Grizzlies 100, Timberwolves 98 (OT)". United Press International. November 6, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  28. ^ "Rockets Still Own the Suns". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 6, 1995. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  29. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves at Vancouver Grizzlies Box Score, November 5, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  30. ^ "Grizzlies End Streak with Win VS. Portland". The Washington Post. December 16, 1995. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  31. ^ Murphy, Austin (April 8, 1996). "Down......But Not Out as Their NBA-Record Losing Streak Hit 22, the Luckless Grizzlies Got an F for Futility, But an A for Effort". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  32. ^ "Grizzlies Trade Benjamin to Bucks". United Press International. November 27, 1995. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  33. ^ "Grizzlies Trade Benjamin Away to Bucks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 28, 1995. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  34. ^ "Fair Trade? Grizz Only Get 2 Bucks for Benjamin". Deseret News. November 28, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  35. ^ "Bucks Deal for Benjamin". Tampa Bay Times. November 28, 1995. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  36. ^ Johnson, L.C. (February 23, 1996). "Magic Deal Turner to Grizzlies". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  37. ^ "Hardaway Heads for the Heat in Trade". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 23, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  38. ^ Romano, John (February 28, 1996). "Strategy Was Bulls' Best Tool". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  39. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  40. ^ "Grizzlies End the Futility". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 4, 1996. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  41. ^ "Grizzlies 105, Timberwolves 103". United Press International. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  42. ^ "1995–96 Vancouver Grizzlies Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  43. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 6, 1996). "Smaller Lakers Come Up Big". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  44. ^ a b "League Voids Howard's Contract with Heat". Tampa Bay Times. August 1, 1996. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  45. ^ a b "Orlando Signs Gerald Wilkins". United Press International. August 1, 1996. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  46. ^ "1995–96 Vancouver Grizzlies Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  47. ^ "Lakers Are Near Deal with Scott". Los Angeles Times. September 30, 1996. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  48. ^ Steele, David (October 30, 1996). "WEDNESDAY SPECIAL -- NBA PREVIEW: 1996-97 NBA Team-by-team". SFGate. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  49. ^ Heisler, Mark (October 31, 1996). "NBA Preview". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  50. ^ Povtak, Tim (November 13, 1996). "Wilkins Is Back Knock on Wood". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  51. ^ "Jackson Can Shop Himself at a Whim". Deseret News. Associated Press. November 30, 1996. Retrieved April 6, 2023.