1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies season explained

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Grizzlies' second season in the National Basketball Association.^[1] Coming off of an NBA worst record of 15–67 in their first season, the Grizzlies had the third overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected Shareef Abdur-Rahim from the University of California.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} The team acquired Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers,^{[7] [8] [9]} and signed free agent Lee Mayberry during the off-season.^{[10] [11]}

However, the Grizzlies continued to struggle in their second season, losing their first seven games, 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.^{[12] [13] [14] [15]} The Grizzlies held a 9–42 record at the All-Star break,^[16] then suffered a 15-game losing streak between February and March,^[17] and went on a nine-game losing streak between March and April, finishing last place in the Midwest Division with a league worst record of 14–68, their worst record in franchise history.^[18]

Abdur-Rahim averaged 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and also finished in third place in Rookie of the Year voting,^{[19] [20] [21]} 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. 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.^{[22] [23]} Off the bench, Blue Edwards provided with 7.8 points per game, while second-year guard Lawrence Moten contributed 6.7 points per game, first round draft pick Roy 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.^[24]

Following the season, Anthony signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics,^{[25] [26]} while Jackson was fired as head coach,^[27] Rogers was traded to the Boston Celtics,^{[28] [29]} 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		University of California
1	22	Roy Rogers	Forward		University of Alabama
2	51	Chris Robinson	Guard		Western Kentucky University

Roster

Roster Notes

• Small forward Doug Edwards missed the entire season due to compartment syndrome in both legs.^{[30] [31]}

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.

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 NBA Records
width=100	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
	—	3–1	1–3	1–3	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–1
	1–3	—	0–4	0–4	1–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–4
	3–1	4–0	—	0–4	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–2	2–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–2	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	3–1
	3–1	4–0	4–0	—	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1
	1–3	2–1	1–3	1–3	—	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	—	3–1	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	3–1	0–2
	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	—	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–2	0–4	1–1	0–4	3–1	1–1
	3–1	4–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	3–1	2–0	4–0	1–2	2–2	2–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	4–0
	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	0–2	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	1–3	4–0	0–4	2–0	0–4	3–1	0–2
	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–1	4–0	—	1–1	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0
	1–3	2–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	—	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–3	3–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–3
	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	—	2–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	4–0	1–3	2–0	1–3	4–0	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	2–2	—	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	4–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–3	4–0	2–0
	2–1	4–0	2–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	—	4–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–1
	0–4	3–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	—	0–2	2–1	1–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	4–0	0–2	3–1	0–4	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	0–4	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–3	4–0	1–1
	1–3	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–2	0–2	—	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
	3–1	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–1	1–1	2–2	—	3–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–0	1–1	2–0	4–0
	1–3	4–0	2–1	0–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	1–3	—	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	1–3
	0–4	3–1	0–4	0–4	0–3	0–2	1–1	1–2	0–2	0–2	0–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–3	2–2	—	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	—	1–3	4–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1
	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	—	2–2	4–0	1–3	0–2	2–2	4–0	0–2
	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	2–0	4–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	—	3–1	1–3	1–1	0–4	4–0	0–2
	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–4	1–3	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	1–3	0–2
	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	3–1	4–0	—	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0
	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	3–0	0–3	0–4	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	—	1–1	1–1	2–2
	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	—	4–0	2–0
Vancouver	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–4	—	1–1
Washington	1–2	4–0	1–3	1–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1	3–1	0–4	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

	Date	Opponent	Score	Record	Attendance
1	November 1		85–114	0–1	19,193
2	November 3		95–105	0–2	15,781
3	November 5		73–96	0–3	23,726
4	November 6		89–105	0–4	13,689
5	November 8		72–88	0–5	13,691
6	November 10		82–101	0–6	17,356
7	November 12		92–99 (2OT)	0–7	14,259
8	November 14		92–89	1–7	15,158
9	November 15		96–104	1–8	19,046
10	November 17		81–91	1–9	17,072
11	November 18		83–84	1–10	14,672
12	November 20		75–94	1–11	15,054
13	November 24		96–91	2–11	15,874
14	November 26		80–101	2–12	6,957
15	November 27		78–87	2–13	15,195
16	November 29		94–104	2–14	15,488
17	November 30		90–96	2–15	13,038
18	December 3		80–127	2–16	15,699
19	December 6		105–89	3–16	13,646
20	December 7		85–96	3–17	15,102
21	December 9		91–107	3–18	15,780
22	December 12		78–99	3–19	20,042
23	December 13		95–93	4–19	15,954
24	December 15		84–103	4–20	19,023
25	December 17		93–92	5–20	16,205
26	December 19		98–105	5–21	15,049
27	December 20		93–108	5–22	10,020
28	December 22		91–87	6–22	15,751
29	December 26		88–111	6–23	17,317
30	December 28		98–103	6–24	16,757
31	December 30		88–95	6–25	15,749
32	January 3		94–108	6–26	19,193
33	January 5		82–95	6–27	19,193
34	January 8		109–95	7–27	12,819
35	January 9		86–104	7–28	15,454
36	January 11		101–109	7–29	16,092
37	January 14		81–91	7–30	15,606
38	January 15		79–103	7–31	16,059
39	January 17		68–106	7–32	15,173
40	January 19		100–92	8–32	17,474
41	January 20		96–112	8–33	17,072
42	January 22		84–94	8–34	8,422
43	January 23		76–95	8–35	15,282
44	January 25		82–83	8–36	17,102
45	January 27		97–122	8–37	12,839
46	January 28		96–111	8–38	19,193
47	January 30		94–100	8–39	5,122
48	January 31		76–87	8–40	15,205
49	February 2		102–92	9–40	15,737
50	February 4		105–111	9–41	10,990
51	February 6		86–103	9–42	14,277
52	February 11		97–106	9–43	16,285
53	February 12		106–101	10–43	12,463
54	February 14		109–106	11–43	17,434
55	February 17		95–100	11–44	15,540
56	February 19		73–84	11–45	15,729
57	February 21		91–99	11–46	17,031
58	February 23		84–91	11–47	15,536
59	February 26		80–83	11–48	15,619
60	February 28		100–104	11–49	17,463
61	March 2		86–93	11–50	16,415
62	March 6		96–102	11–51	16,673
63	March 9		77–81	11–52	19,186
64	March 11		92–98	11–53	24,042
65	March 12		82–104	11–54	11,007
66	March 14		82–88	11–55	14,728
67	March 16		89–100	11–56	17,248
68	March 18		73–98	11–57	19,763
69	March 19		72–95	11–58	13,368
70	March 21		108–101	12–58	19,193
71	March 23		92–106	12–59	17,645
72	March 25		104–110 (OT)	12–60	5,528
73	March 27		98–102 (OT)	12–61	18,722
74	March 28		81–115	12–62	20,865
75	April 1		91–102	12–63	17,193
76	April 4		79–106	12–64	19,911
77	April 6		85–94	12–65	17,356
78	April 8		93–109	12–66	17,317
79	April 10		94–102	12–67	16,285
80	April 12		96–85	13–67	14,060
81	April 17		73–105	13–68	19,193
82	April 19		121–107	14–68	19,023

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
	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

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 Database Basketball
• Grizzlies on Basketball Reference

Notes and References

1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/VAN/1997.html 1996-97 Vancouver Grizzlies
2. News: Brown . Clifton . PRO BASKETBALL; Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade . The New York Times . June 27, 1996 . July 12, 2022.
3. News: Heisler . Mark . The Surprises Are Few . Los Angeles Times . June 27, 1996 . December 1, 2022.
4. News: Cotton . Anthony . For 76ers, Iverson Is No. 1 Choice . The Washington Post . June 27, 1996 . July 25, 2021.
5. News: Bembry . Jerry . 76ers Make Iverson the 1, Philadelphia Takes Georgetown Guard; Camby Goes Second . The Baltimore Sun . June 27, 1996 . June 2, 2023.
6. Web site: 1996 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 1, 2022.
7. News: Associated Press . Laker Trade May Signal Big Deal . Los Angeles Times . July 17, 1996 . January 1, 2022.
8. News: Associated Press . L.A. Trades for $$$, Not for New Talent . Deseret News . July 17, 1996 . October 4, 2022.
9. News: Wire Reports . Lakers Sweeten Deal, Offer Shaq $120 Million . The Spokesman-Review . July 18, 1996 . December 12, 2022.
10. News: Associated Press . Grizzlies Jettison Scott to Make Room to Sign Free Agent Mayberry . Los Angeles Times . July 23, 1996 . June 29, 2022.
11. News: Grizzlies Sign Mayberry . The Oklahoman . July 24, 1996 . November 18, 2022.
12. News: Associated Press . Winters Out in Vancouver; Augmon Traded to Portland . Los Angeles Times . January 25, 1997 . July 28, 2021.
13. News: Wire Reports . Griz End Winters of Their Discontent . The Spokesman-Review . January 25, 1997 . February 21, 2024.
14. News: Basketball Briefs . Deseret News . January 25, 1997 . June 6, 2023.
15. News: Smith . Sam . He's No Longer Winters of Grizzlies' Discontent . Chicago Tribune . January 28, 1997 . December 12, 2022.
16. News: NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2023.
17. News: Timberwolves 95, Grizzlies 72 . United Press International . March 19, 1997 . March 21, 2023.
18. Web site: 1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
19. News: Associated Press . Iverson Is Voted Top Rookie . The New York Times . May 2, 1997 . October 3, 2022.
20. News: Associated Press . Iverson Calls Rookie Award a Triumph Over His Critics . Los Angeles Times . May 2, 1997 . February 1, 2023.
21. News: 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting . Basketball-Reference . January 2, 2022.
22. News: Associated Press . Williams Expects to Sign with Bulls . Los Angeles Times . April 2, 1997 . July 11, 2022.
23. News: Sports . Associated Press . Muscle Strain Ends Long, Tough Season for Roanoker Lynch . Roanoke Times . April 2, 1997 . November 19, 2022.
24. Web site: 1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. June 28, 2021.
25. News: Associated Press . PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Sonics Sign Anthony . The New York Times . October 10, 1997 . January 18, 2022.
26. News: Associated Press . Anthony Signs with Sonics . The Spokesman-Review . October 10, 1997 . October 4, 2022.
27. News: Johnson . L.C. . Grizzlies Enter Hunt for Jackson . Orlando Sentinel . May 30, 1997 . November 9, 2022.
28. News: Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack . Associated Press . October 28, 1997 . September 24, 2022.
29. News: Transactions . The New York Times . October 29, 1997 . December 27, 2022.
30. News: The Vancouver Sun - 19 Nov 1996, Tue - Page 7 - (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) . Newspapers.com . November 19, 1996 . November 8, 2023.
31. News: The Vancouver Sun - 01 Nov 1997, Sat - Page 12 - (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) . Newspapers.com . November 1, 1997 . November 8, 2023.