1999–2000 Vancouver Grizzlies season explained

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Grizzlies' 5th season in the National Basketball Association.^[1] After finishing the lockout season with the worst record, the Grizzlies received the second overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, and selected Steve Francis from the University of Maryland.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]} However, Francis refused to play for the Canadian team, and was later on traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for second-year guard Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Brent Price and Antoine Carr; Dickerson would reunite with his former University of Arizona teammate, second-year star Mike Bibby.^{[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]} Francis, now with the Rockets, would be named Rookie of the Year along with Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls.^{[12] [13]} During the off-season, the Grizzlies signed free agents Grant Long,^[14] and three-point specialist Dennis Scott.^{[15] [16]}

After a 3–3 start to the season, the team still struggled posting an 11-game losing streak, as head coach Brian Hill was fired after a 4–18 start, and was replaced with assistant Lionel Hollins.^[17] The Grizzlies went on a 12–game losing streak between February and March, losing 14 of their 15 games in March, and finishing last place in the Midwest Division with a 22–60 record, which was the first time the franchise had won 20 or more games in a full season.^[18]

Shareef Abdur-Rahim averaged 20.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while Dickerson averaged 18.2 points and 1.4 steals per game, and Bibby provided the team with 14.5 points, 8.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. In addition, Harrington contributed 13.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and Bryant Reeves provided with 8.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Scott contributed 5.6 points per game, while Long provided with 4.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game,^[19] but only played just 42 games due to a hand injury.^[20]

Following the season, Scott was traded along with second-year guard Felipe López, and Cherokee Parks to the Washington Wizards, but was released to free agency,^{[21] [22]} while Carr retired, and Hollins was fired as head coach.^[23]

Offseason

Draft

See main article: article and 1999 NBA draft.

The Grizzlies originally had three picks entering the Draft. Steve Francis was the 2nd overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft from the University of Maryland. Francis most notably cried after being chosen by Vancouver, swearing the Chicago Bulls would regret selecting Elton Brand first overall instead.^[4] Following Vancouver's draft, Francis publicly announced that he did not want to play for the Grizzlies, citing the distance from his Maryland home, taxes, endorsements, and God's will. Francis was heavily criticized for his antics, especially in Vancouver. Following his public outburst, Francis was traded to the Houston Rockets that summer in a three-team, 11-player deal that brought Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Antoine Carr, Brent Price, plus first- and second-round picks to the Grizzlies.^[10] He and Brand shared Rookie of the Year honors.

Obinna Ekezie from the University of Maryland was their second pick. Their final pick in the draft was Antwain Smith from the Saint Paul's College.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	2	Steve Francis	PG		Maryland
2	37		C/PF
2	51		SF		Saint Paul's College

Roster

Roster notes

• Rookie point guard Milt Palacio also holds American citizenship.

Regular season

Record vs. opponents

1999-2000 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
	—	1–3	1–3	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	1–1	3–1	2–1	0–3	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–2	0–2	1–1	1–3
	3–1	—	1–3	2–2	2–2	1–1	2–0	0–3	1–1	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–2	0–2	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1
	3–1	3–1	—	4–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–0
	1–3	2–2	0–4	—	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–3	2–0	0–2	2–2	1–3	0–2	2–1	0–3	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2
	1–3	2–2	1–3	3–1	—	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	0–3	1–3	0–2	2–2	3–1	2–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–4	0–2	2–0	3–1
	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	—	3–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	1–1	4–0	1–3	0–2	0–2	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–1	1–3	3–1	1–1
	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–3	—	1–1	2–2	2–2	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–3	2–2	2–2	1–3	1–3	2–0	2–2	2–2	1–1
	3–1	3–0	2–2	3–1	2–2	0–2	1–1	—	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	2–1	1–3	2–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	2–2
	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–2	0–2	—	1–3	0–2	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–3	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–4	3–1	1–1
	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–2	1–1	3–1	—	0–2	4–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–3	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1
	3–1	3–1	2–2	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	2–0	—	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–1
	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	3–1	0–4	1–1	—	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–4	1–3	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–1
L.A. Lakers	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	4–0	—	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–2	3–1	1–3	3–1	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1
	2–2	3–1	2–2	2–2	3–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	—	2–2	2–0	2–2	3–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–2	1–1	1–1	4–0
	4–0	2–1	1–3	3–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–3	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	0–2	2–2	—	0–2	1–3	0–4	4–0	0–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1
	1–1	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	3–1	0–4	0–2	2–0	—	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	0–2
	1–3	1–3	1–2	1–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	0–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	—	1–3	3–2	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–3
	1–2	2–2	3–1	3–0	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	4–0	1–1	3–1	—	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	0–2	2–0	2–2
	3–0	2–2	2–2	4–0	1–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–2	2–0	0–2	1–3	0–4	1–1	2–3	1–3	—	2–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	2–0	4–0
	4–0	3–1	1–3	4–0	4–0	2–0	0–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	3–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	—	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	3–0	1–1	2–0	3–1
	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–3	3–1	2–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	—	1–3	4–0	2–2	2–2	1–1	0–4	4–0	2–0
	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	2–2	0–2	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	3–1	—	4–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	3–1	3–1	2–0
	0–2	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	3–1	1–3	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	0–4	—	3–1	2–2	1–1	1–3	3–1	2–0
	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	3–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	1–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–3	—	2–2	1–1	2–2	4–0	1–1
	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	3–1	3–1	0–2	4–0	3–1	1–1	3–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–2	—	0–2	2–2	4–0	2–0
	2–2	2–2	1–3	4–0	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	2–0	1–1	2–1	2–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	2–2	0–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	—	1–1	1–1	2–2
	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	0–2	4–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	4–0	1–3	3–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	—	3–1	2–0
Vancouver	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	1–3	2–2	0–2	3–1	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–3	0–4	0–4	1–1	1–3	—	1–1
Washington	3–1	1–3	0–3	2–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–3	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

	Date	Opponent	Score	Record	Attendance
1	November 2		86–106	0–1	18,218
2	November 3		88–103	0–2	18,997
3	November 6		109–94	1–2	12,159
4	November 10		102–97 (OT)	2–2	11,453
5	November 12		93–103	2–3	12,792
6	November 14		109–89	3–3	12,774
7	November 16		77–81	3–4	14,169
8	November 18		108–110	3–5	12,275
9	November 21		81–105	3–6	12,493
10	November 23		87–89	3–7	11,219
11	November 24		73–89	3–8	16,003
12	November 26		86–105	3–9	18,345
13	November 27		82–113	3–10	16,881
14	November 29		110–118 (OT)	3–11	15,086
15	December 1		89–96	3–12	11,683
16	December 3		94–113	3–13	12,107
17	December 6		99–102	3–14	14,458
18	December 7		104–95	4–14	11,552
19	December 9		91–99	4–15	14,778
20	December 11		94–106	4–16	14,059
21	December 13		90–102	4–17	9,303
22	December 15		106–109	4–18	12,490
23	December 18		89–112	4–19	14,094
24	December 19		85–84	5–19	12,584
25	December 23		93–91	6–19	11,792
26	December 26		86–109	6–20	17,074
27	December 27		93–100	6–21	13,269
28	December 29		90–101	6–22	19,911
29	December 30		88–98	6–23	14,403
30	January 4		91–87	7–23	19,035
31	January 5		96–116	7–24	12,904
32	January 7		101–91	8–24	14,246
33	January 9		107–97	9–24	19,188
34	January 10		112–103	10–24	14,876
35	January 12		92–95	10–25	14,404
36	January 14		80–82	10–26	13,161
37	January 16		83–94	10–27	15,456
38	January 20		89–94	10–28	12,909
39	January 22		82–85	10–29	11,817
40	January 24		98–110	10–30	10,884
41	January 26		116–99	11–30	19,080
42	January 27		108–106	12–30	11,934
43	January 31		87–92	12–31	12,398
44	February 2		95–101	12–32	10,019
45	February 4		101–76	13–32	15,357
46	February 6		99–103 (OT)	13–33	14,861
47	February 8		76–94	13–34	18,385
48	February 10		112–90	14–34	9,895
49	February 16		92–87	15–34	12,894
50	February 18		91–103	15–35	17,101
51	February 19		111–100	16–35	17,109
52	February 21		108–109 (OT)	16–36	12,140
53	February 22		85–81	17–36	21,874
54	February 24		77–111	17–37	13,001
55	February 26		102–90	18–37	17,856
56	February 29		87–112	18–38	17,317
57	March 1		91–103	18–39	18,912
58	March 3		91–101	18–40	20,367
59	March 5		92–94	18–41	19,193
60	March 7		86–111	18–42	19,763
61	March 8		90–107	18–43	20,086
62	March 10		97–111	18–44	22,076
63	March 11		86–91	18–45	13,344
64	March 13		103–113	18–46	14,510
65	March 16		103–117	18–47	13,070
66	March 17		86–101	18–48	14,255
67	March 19		99–101	18–49	15,240
68	March 21		98–82	19–49	13,555
69	March 25		75–84	19–50	14,143
70	March 29		99–108	19–51	16,780
71	March 31		83–89	19–52	16,632
72	April 2		86–100	19–53	12,941
73	April 4		102–100	20–53	12,742
74	April 6		89–87	21–53	12,234
75	April 8		85–98	21–54	20,415
76	April 9		99–107	21–55	14,206
77	April 11		97–109	21–56	10,127
78	April 12		116–122 (OT)	21–57	18,463
79	April 14		94–104 (2OT)	21–58	17,748
80	April 16		106–114	21–59	13,947
81	April 18		93–100	21–60	19,913
82	April 19		96–92	22–60	16,285

Player statistics

Ragular season

Player
	SF	82	82	3,223	825	271	89	87	1,663	39.3	10.1	3.3	1.1	1.1	20.3
	PG	82	82	3,155	306	665	132	15	1,190	38.5	3.7	8.1	1.6	.2	14.5
	SG	82	82	3,103	279	208	116	45	1,496	37.8	3.4	2.5	1.4	.5	18.2
	PF	82	82	2,677	563	97	36	58	1,076	32.6	6.9	1.2	.4	.7	13.1
	C	69	67	1,773	390	82	33	38	611	25.7	5.7	1.2	.5	.6	8.9
	SF	66	0	1,263	106	69	28	9	369	19.1	1.6	1.0	.4	.1	5.6
	SG	65	0	781	124	44	32	17	292	12.0	1.9	.7	.5	.3	4.5
	C	56	14	808	183	35	29	45	168	14.4	3.3	.6	.5	.8	3.0
	PG	53	0	394	51	48	20	0	108	7.4	1.0	.9	.4	.0	2.0
	PF	42	1	920	234	43	45	10	203	21.9	5.6	1.0	1.1	.2	4.8
	PG	41	0	424	37	69	17	1	141	10.3	.9	1.7	.4	.0	3.4
	PF	39	0	351	92	8	9	4	125	9.0	2.4	.2	.2	.1	3.2
	SG	38	0	581	71	43	12	8	152	15.3	1.9	1.1	.3	.2	4.0
	SF	21	0	221	32	7	3	6	67	10.5	1.5	.3	.1	.3	3.2
	SF	13	0	181	36	11	7	3	41	13.9	2.8	.8	.5	.2	3.2

References

• Grizzlies on Database Basketball
• Grizzlies on Basketball Reference

Notes and References

1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/VAN/2000.html 1999-00 Vancouver Grizzlies Roster and Stats
2. News: Wise . Mike . PRO BASKETBALL; Safety First: The Bulls Make Brand the Top Pick . The New York Times . July 1, 1999 . November 27, 2022.
3. News: Heisler . Mark . Dukies Are Way Up . Los Angeles Times . July 1, 1999 . June 4, 2023.
4. News: Denlinger . Ken . Grizzlies Take Terps' Francis with No. 2 Pick . The Washington Post . July 1, 1999 . July 24, 2021.
5. News: Sheridan . Chris . Brand, Francis, Davis Go 1, 2, 3 . Associated Press . July 1, 1999 . July 15, 2022.
6. Web site: 1999 NBA Draft . Basketball-Reference . December 1, 2022.
7. News: White . Lonnie . Rockets Set to Get Francis in 10-Player Deal . Los Angeles Times . August 27, 1999 . June 8, 2022.
8. News: Wyche . Steve . Ex-Terp Francis Is Headed to the Rockets . The Washington Post . August 27, 1999 . October 17, 2022.
9. News: Associated Press . Francis to Rockets in Big Trade . CBS News . August 27, 1999 . January 9, 2023.
10. News: Associated Press . PRO BASKETBALL: ROUNDUP -- HOUSTON; Rockets Get Francis in 3-Team Deal . The New York Times . August 28, 1999 . July 17, 2021.
11. News: Bembry . Jerry . Francis Gets Boot to Houston; In an 11-Player Deal, Grizzlies Part with Disgruntled Top Pick; Trade NBA's Largest Ever; At the Last Moment, Orlando Joins Mix . The Baltimore Sun . August 28, 1999 . July 9, 2023.
12. News: Associated Press . Brand, Francis Share Rookie-of-Year Award . Los Angeles Times . May 12, 2000 . July 15, 2021.
13. News: Brand, Francis Share Top Rookie Honor . United Press International . May 11, 2000 . November 27, 2022.
14. News: Associated Press . Grizzlies Sign Veteran Long . CBS News . September 16, 1999 . October 25, 2022.
15. News: Dennis Scott, Vancouver Grizzlies . Orlando Sentinel . October 28, 1999 . October 25, 2022.
16. News: Wise . Mike . 1999–2000 N.B.A. PREVIEW; The West Is Still the Best . The New York Times . October 31, 1999 . January 13, 2022.
17. News: Associated Press . Grizzlies Try to Rebound by Replacing Hill with Hollins . Los Angeles Times . December 17, 1999 . October 17, 2022.
18. Web site: 1999–2000 Vancouver Grizzlies Schedule and Results. Basketball-Reference. July 15, 2021.
19. Web site: 1999–2000 Vancouver Grizzlies Roster and Stats. Basketball-Reference. July 15, 2021.
20. News: Associated Press . Jazz Tame Grizzlies . CBS News . March 26, 2000 . October 25, 2022.
21. News: Wyche . Steve . In Trade, Wizards Get 4 for the Price of 1 . The Washington Post . August 23, 2000 . June 28, 2022.
22. News: Associated Press . Rededicated, Eh? Ike Sent to Vancouver . Deseret News . August 23, 2000 . November 27, 2022.
23. News: Report: Hollins, Staff Fired by Vancouver . United Press International . May 9, 2000 . November 17, 2022.