1997–98 Vancouver Grizzlies season

March 2026 Vancouver Grizzlies 1998 19 63 Midwest 6 11 Brian Hill Stu Jackson General Motors Place John McCaw, Jr. CHEK-TVShowcase CKNW Did not qualify VAN The 1997–98 Vancouver Grizzlies season was the third season for the Vancouver Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association. Memphis Grizzlies Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/ August 10, 2026 Season summary Off-season After finishing with the league's worst record in their first two seasons, the Grizzlies received the fourth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, and selected point guard Antonio Daniels out of Bowling Green State University. Wise Mike After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show The New York Times June 26, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/26/sports/after-duncan-utah-forward-steals-show.html July 25, 2021 Heisler Mark Draft Over, But Not Finished Los Angeles Times June 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-26-sp-7002-story.html December 1, 2022 1997 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1997.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team acquired former All-Star forward Otis Thorpe from the Detroit Pistons, Gardner Kris Pistons Deal Thorpe to Vancouver The Houston Roundball Review August 7, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/080797thorpedealt.html December 5, 2022 Associated Press Grizzlies Obtain Pistons' Thorpe The New York Times August 8, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/08/sports/grizzlies-obtain-pistons-thorpe.html January 1, 2022 Thorpe Sent to Grizzlies Tampa Bay Times August 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/08/08/thorpe-sent-to-grizzlies/ September 17, 2022 acquired three-point specialist Sam Mack from the Houston Rockets, and acquired Tony Massenburg from the Boston Celtics. Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack Associated Press October 28, 1997 https://apnews.com/article/50c38e4cc72f7dafe7848c91e29a9916 June 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220627071035/https://apnews.com/article/50c38e4cc72f7dafe7848c91e29a9916 June 27, 2022 dead Gardner Kris Two Minor Deals Completed on October 28, 1997 The Houston Roundball Review October 28, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/102897twodeals.html November 18, 2022 The Grizzlies also hired Brian Hill as their new head coach; Hill previously coached the Orlando Magic, and led them to the 1995 NBA Finals, where they lost to the 6th–seeded Houston Rockets in a four-game sweep. Povtak Tim Hill Leads Hunt for Grizzlies' Job Orlando Sentinel June 18, 1997 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1997-06-18-9706170923-story.html December 12, 2022 Associated Press Brian Hill Is Hired to Coach Grizzlies The New York Times June 27, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/27/sports/brian-hill-is-hired-to-coach-grizzlies.html October 22, 2022 Associated Press Hill Gets Fresh Start With Grizzlies Los Angeles Times June 27, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-27-sp-7556-story.html December 12, 2022 For the season, the Grizzlies revealed new black alternate road uniforms, which featured a V-shaped collar, the city name "Vancouver" on the front of their jerseys, a turquoise, white and red trim, and turquoise side panels with a red outline on their jerseys and the left leg of their shorts; the leg left also featured the team's alternate logo of a grizzly bear scratching a turquoise letter "G". Vancouver Grizzlies Alternate Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/un46g3vdgveaniapa57brztpl/Vancouver_Grizzlies/2000/Alternate_Uniform July 8, 2021 The team's new alternate uniforms would eventually become their primary road jerseys for the 2000–01 season, where they would also redesign their home uniforms by adding a V-shaped collar and turquoise side panels. Both uniforms would remain in use until 2004, although "Vancouver" would be replaced with the city name "Memphis" in 2001, after the franchise's relocation to Memphis, Tennessee. Regular season Under Hill and with the addition of Thorpe, Mack and Daniels, the Grizzlies played slightly below .500 in winning percentage with a 6–7 start to the regular season. However, the team continued to struggle posting a 13-game losing streak between December and January, and later on held a 13–36 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=5&year=1998 January 2, 2023 At mid-season, the team traded Thorpe along with second-year guard Chris Robinson back to his former team, the Sacramento Kings, in exchange for Michael Smith and Bobby Hurley, Wise Mike Basketball: Kenny Anderson Is Traded to Celtics in 7-Player Deal The New York Times February 19, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/19/sports/basketball-kenny-anderson-is-traded-to-celtics-in-7-player-deal.html December 5, 2022 Associated Press Celtics Land Anderson in Deal with Raptors Los Angeles Times February 19, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-19-sp-20865-story.html September 17, 2022 In Seven-Player Swap, Raptors Trade Anderson to the Celtics The Washington Post February 19, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/19/in-seven-player-swap-raptors-trade-anderson-to-the-celtics/ff143642-f1f6-4362-823e-6f7f4853e2a4/ July 27, 2021 and traded Anthony Peeler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Doug West. Heisler Mark It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals Los Angeles Times February 20, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-20-sp-21072-story.html December 4, 2022 Smith Sam NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal Chicago Tribune February 20, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-20-9802200078-story.html June 22, 2023 Trade Completed The Washington Post February 22, 1998 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1998/02/22/trade-completed/837c37b1-3e95-46e1-b749-1318026d6b1a/ November 9, 2022 Before the trade, Thorpe averaged 11.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 47 games, while Peeler averaged 9.9 points per game in only just eight games; Thorpe and Peeler were both disgruntled in Vancouver, while Peeler spent most of the first half of the season on the Grizzlies' bench, as Hill mainly used Mack and sixth man Blue Edwards at shooting guard. Associated Press  Celtics Run Over Grizzlies, 114-105  CBS News  February 19, 1998  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/celtics-run-over-grizzlies-114-105/ May 3, 2026 Carpenter Les  Once a "Bad Fit", Peeler Now Has Second Chance  The Seattle Times  April 24, 1998  https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19980424/2746992/once-a-bad-fit-peeler-now-has-second-chance May 3, 2026 Meanwhile, West, who sustained a hip contusion injury before the trade, struggled with substance abuse and depression, and went into rehab for alcohol treatment, as he was out for the remainder of the season; West refused to play for the Grizzlies after suffering from losing in his first seven seasons with the Timberwolves since their inaugural season. Shapiro Mark Grizzlies' West Admits Substance Abuse Chicago Tribune February 24, 1998 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-24-9802240087-story.html September 16, 2023 Associated Press Grizzlies' West Vows to Deal with Drinking Los Angeles Times February 25, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-feb-25-sp-22789-story.html September 16, 2023 Grizzlies' West Returns from Rehab Associated Press April 10, 1998 https://apnews.com/article/b75e8d691ab9b15c396b91a6471177f2 July 4, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191030/https://apnews.com/article/b75e8d691ab9b15c396b91a6471177f2 July 9, 2021 dead In late February, the Grizzlies continued to make changes to their starting lineup, as Hill replaced Daniels with Lee Mayberry as the team's starting point guard; Daniels played third-string behind Hurley, the team's backup point guard behind Mayberry, for the remainder of the season. Smith Sam  Sewed-Up West Still Sending Out Some Sparks  Chicago Tribune  March 17, 1998  https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/03/17/sewed-up-west-still-sending-out-some-sparks/ May 3, 2026 The Grizzlies posted a seven-game losing streak between January and February, posted an eight-game losing streak between February and March, another seven-game losing streak in March, and then posted a six-game losing streak between March and April. The Grizzlies finally escaped last place by finishing in sixth place in the Midwest Division with a 19–63 record, as the Denver Nuggets finished in last place with a league-worst 11–71 record; 1997–98 Vancouver Grizzlies Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/VAN/1998_games.html June 28, 2021 this was also the first, and only season in which the Grizzlies finished with a better record than their Canadian rival, the Toronto Raptors, who finished with a 16–66 record. Second-year star Shareef Abdur-Rahim averaged 22.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while Bryant Reeves averaged 16.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and Mack provided the team with 10.8 points per game, and also led them with 110 three-point field goals. In addition, Edwards contributed 10.8 points per game, while Daniels provided with 7.8 points and 4.5 assists per game, George Lynch contributed 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and Massenburg averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Smith averaged 6.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in 30 games after the trade, Pete Chilcutt provided with 4.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, Mayberry contributed 4.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, and Hurley contributed 4.5 points and 3.6 assists per game in 27 games. 1997–98 Vancouver Grizzlies Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/VAN/1998.html June 28, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, Mack participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, NBA Long-Distance Shootout Roster Record-Journal January 21, 1998 20 https://books.google.com/books?id=julIAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=1998+NBA+Long+Distance+Shootout+rosters&article_id=3470,3450627&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXpf_28eWPAxV8vokEHdaoNdU4ChDoAXoECA0QAw#v=onepage&q=1998%20NBA%20Long%20Distance%20Shootout%20rosters&f=false September 19, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 19, 2025 while Daniels was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team. Associated Press 1998 NBA Rookie Game Roster Times-Union February 6, 1998 4B https://books.google.com/books?id=2aQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=NBA+rookie+game+roster+1998&article_id=5656,907211&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi85_eY9eCPAxVT1fACHWPLIaEQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=NBA%20rookie%20game%20roster%201998&f=false September 19, 2025 1998 NBA Rising Stars: East 85, West 80 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1998_rookie.html September 19, 2025 The Grizzlies finished 19th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 660,457 at General Motors Place during the regular season. 1997–98 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1998.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Daniels was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft day after only one season with the Grizzlies, CBS News.com Staff Clippers Pick Olowokandi No. 1 CBS News June 24, 1998 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clippers-pick-olowokandi-no-1/ July 2, 2023 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1 The New York Times June 25, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/25/sports/pro-basketball-7-feet-1-inch-of-potential-at-no-1.html November 18, 2022 Popper Steve Pro Basketball: Lopez of St. John's Ends Up with Grizzlies The New York Times June 25, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/25/sports/pro-basketball-lopez-of-st-john-s-ends-up-with-grizzlies.html October 6, 2022 while Edwards signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat during the next season, Ex-Jazzman Edwards Signs with Heat Deseret News February 15, 1999 https://www.deseret.com/1999/2/15/19429229/ex-jazzman-edwards-signs-with-heat November 18, 2022 Winderman Ira Valuing Family Sun Sentinel February 26, 1999 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-02-26-9902260070-story.html October 10, 2022 Lynch signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Associated Press 76ers Add Plenty of New Faces Pocono Record January 22, 1999 https://www.poconorecord.com/story/sports/pro/1999/01/22/76ers-add-plenty-new-faces/51096519007/ December 12, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: A Scrum for the Title The New York Times February 4, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/sports/pro-basketball-a-scrum-for-the-title.html June 28, 2022 and Hurley was released to free agency. Draft picks The Grizzlies first draft pick was Antonio Daniels, which was the fourth overall pick in the draft. Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 4 Antonio Daniels PG/SG United States Bowling Green State University 2 52 C.J. Bruton G United States Indian Hills Community College Roster Vancouver Grizzlies 1997–98 #20B2AA #000000 #000000 #FFFFFF 3 Shareef Abdur-Rahim F 6 9 225 –– California 23 Pete Chilcutt F/C 6 10 230 –– North Carolina 33 Antonio Daniels G 6 4 205 –– Bowling Green 30 Blue Edwards G 6 4 200 –– East Carolina 12 Bobby Hurley G 6 0 165 –– Duke 9 George Lynch basketball F 6 8 218 –– North Carolina 7 Sam Mack G 6 7 220 –– Houston yes 44 Tony Massenburg F/C 6 9 220 –– Maryland 11 Lee Mayberry G 6 1 172 –– Arkansas 40 Ivano Newbill F 6 9 245 –– Georgia Tech 50 Bryant Reeves C 7 0 290 –– Oklahoma State yes 6 Larry Robinson basketball, born 1968 G 6 3 190 –– Centenary College of Louisiana 34 Michael Smith basketball, born 1972 F 6 8 230 –– Providence 2 Doug West G 6 6 200 –– Villanova yes IN Brian Hill Jim Boylan Lionel Hollins Jack Nolan (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/VAN/1998.html Roster Notes Shooting guard Doug West was acquired by the Grizzlies from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a mid-season trade, but was placed on the injured reserve list; West struggled with substance abuse and depression, and went into rehab for alcohol treatment, also sustained a hip contusion injury with the Timberwolves, and did not play for the Grizzlies this season. Regular season The Grizzlies got off to their best start in team history, as thirteen games into the season, the team had a 6–7 record. On October 31, 1997, Violet Palmer made history in Vancouver when she officiated the NBA season opener between the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks, in British Columbia, Canada. The team would then fall into a slump, which included a thirteen-game losing streak as they fell out of playoff contention. Vancouver would finish the year with a 19–63 record, their best in team history, and finish out of last place for the first time ever. Highs Vancouver recorded their first ever three game winning streak, as on January 20, they defeated the Denver Nuggets, followed by sweeping a home and home series against the Golden State Warriors. On March 23, 1998, Vancouver defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 106–95 to earn their sixteenth win of the season, a team record. Vancouver finished with nineteen wins, four higher than their previous high of fifteen, set in 1995–96. The Grizzlies finished out of the Midwest Division cellar for the first time in team history, as they had a 19–63 record, eight games better than the Denver Nuggets, who finished the year 11–71. Lows On January 15, 1998, the Washington Wizards defeat Vancouver 112–110, sending the Grizzlies to their thirteenth consecutive loss. From January 27 to April 5, the Grizzlies win only 3 of 31 games. Season standings VAN VAN Game log # Date Opponent Score Record Attendance 1 October 31 Dallas Mavericks 88–90 0–1 17,021 2 November 1 Sacramento Kings 97–96 1–1 15,460 3 November 4 @ Dallas Mavericks 87–92 1–2 14,285 4 November 5 @ San Antonio Spurs 79–87 1–3 14,523 5 November 7 Minnesota Timberwolves 97–108 1–4 15,302 6 November 9 Detroit Pistons 104–96 (OT) 2–4 14,925 7 November 11 Los Angeles Clippers 119–113 3–4 15,160 8 November 12 @ Utah Jazz 80–98 3–5 19,851 9 November 15 Milwaukee Bucks 109–94 4–5 17,666 10 November 16 @ Los Angeles Lakers 95–121 4–6 17,139 11 November 18 @ Denver Nuggets 100–87 5–6 9,718 12 November 19 @ Seattle SuperSonics 87–107 5–7 17,072 13 November 21 Denver Nuggets 99–96 6–7 15,988 14 November 23 @ New York Knicks 84–104 6–8 19,763 15 November 26 @ Milwaukee Bucks 82–101 6–9 15,126 16 November 27 @ Indiana Pacers 85–106 6–10 14,391 17 November 29 @ Minnesota Timberwolves 87–106 6–11 17,494 18 November 30 @ Detroit Pistons 97–95 7–11 16,030 19 December 3 Orlando Magic 97–101 7–12 15,069 20 December 5 Cleveland Cavaliers 98–107 7–13 15,558 21 December 9 @ Phoenix Suns 85–107 7–14 19,023 22 December 12 Golden State Warriors 95–88 8–14 14,810 23 December 14 Houston Rockets 110–105 9–14 14,411 24 December 16 @ Houston Rockets 91–118 9–15 16,285 25 December 17 @ San Antonio Spurs 87–98 9–16 13,576 26 December 19 @ Portland Trail Blazers 91–96 9–17 19,863 27 December 21 Portland Trail Blazers 88–86 10–17 15,174 28 December 26 Phoenix Suns 100–118 10–18 17,023 29 December 28 Utah Jazz 88–89 10–19 16,488 30 December 30 San Antonio Spurs 115–124 10–20 15,872 31 January 1 Philadelphia 76ers 104–115 10–21 15,495 32 January 2 @ Sacramento Kings 80–94 10–22 13,925 33 January 4 Seattle SuperSonics 108–120 10–23 15,122 34 January 6 Los Angeles Lakers 87–100 10–24 15,837 35 January 7 @ Los Angeles Clippers 102–110 10–25 4,107 36 January 9 Charlotte Hornets 90–98 10–26 15,251 37 January 11 Miami Heat 90–96 10–27 15,186 38 January 13 @ Philadelphia 76ers 89–107 10–28 10,838 39 January 15 @ Boston Celtics 93–97 10–29 16,855 40 January 16 @ Washington Wizards 110–112 10–30 16,763 41 January 20 Denver Nuggets 88–77 11–30 15,852 42 January 23 @ Golden State Warriors 88–80 12–30 12,359 43 January 24 Golden State Warriors 107–96 13–30 16,223 44 January 27 Chicago Bulls 85–103 13–31 19,193 45 January 29 Minnesota Timberwolves 106–112 13–32 15,111 46 January 31 New Jersey Nets 106–116 13–33 17,094 47 February 2 @ Dallas Mavericks 90–104 13–34 11,049 48 February 3 @ Houston Rockets 97–110 13–35 16,285 49 February 5 @ Charlotte Hornets 93–108 13–36 21,984 50 February 12 Houston Rockets 103–112 13–37 15,620 51 February 14 Washington Wizards 110–108 14–37 16,105 52 February 18 Boston Celtics 105–114 14–38 16,703 53 February 20 @ Atlanta Hawks 92–115 14–39 9,022 54 February 22 @ Toronto Raptors 105–113 (OT) 14–40 16,932 55 February 24 @ New Jersey Nets 101–110 14–41 13,335 56 February 25 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 101–106 14–42 13,701 57 March 1 Atlanta Hawks 76–101 14–43 15,371 58 March 3 Indiana Pacers 103–111 14–44 15,09559 March 6 Sacramento Kings 96–98 14–45 14,60560 March 8 Toronto Raptors 113–106 15–45 16,09861 March 12 @ Denver Nuggets 93–98 15–46 9,11262 March 13 @ Utah Jazz 101–110 15–47 19,91163 March 15 Los Angeles Lakers 110–119 15–48 18,98364 March 17 @ Orlando Magic 92–99 15–49 17,24865 March 18 @ Miami Heat 91–94 15–50 14,65366 March 20 @ Chicago Bulls 92–98 15–51 24,02367 March 21 @ Minnesota Timberwolves 88–102 15–52 18,33668 March 23 Los Angeles Clippers 106–95 16–52 15,39269 March 26 @ Portland Trail Blazers 102–108 16–53 20,58170 March 27 New York Knicks 89–97 (OT) 16–54 17,63071 March 29 @ Phoenix Suns 98–106 16–55 19,02372 March 31 Dallas Mavericks 101–104 16–56 15,12073 April 3 Seattle SuperSonics 98–138 16–57 19,19374 April 5 Utah Jazz 93–99 16–58 18,06875 April 7 @ Los Angeles Clippers 110–94 17–58 5,12476 April 8 @ Los Angeles Lakers 102–113 17–59 17,50577 April 11 Portland Trail Blazers 105–96 (OT) 18–59 16,43278 April 12 Phoenix Suns 106–129 18–60 16,26679 April 14 @ Seattle SuperSonics 98–110 18–61 17,07280 April 16 San Antonio Spurs 97–110 18–62 17,48581 April 18 @ Golden State Warriors 100–112 18–63 16,48182 April 19 @ Sacramento Kings 112–108 (OT) 19–63 15,329 Player statistics Ragular season Player POS Position GP Games played GS Games starter MP Minutes played REB Rebounds AST Assists STL Steals BLK Blocks PTS Points MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per gameShareef Abdur-RahimSF82 82 2,950 581 213 89 76 1,829 36.0 7.1 2.6 1.1 .9 22.3George Lynch basketballSF82 0 1,493 362 122 65 41 616 18.2 4.4 1.5 .8 .5 7.5Pete ChilcuttPF82 0 1,420 306 104 53 37 405 17.3 3.7 1.3 .6 .5 4.9Blue EdwardsSG 81 20 1,968 217 201 86 27 872 24.3 2.7 2.5 1.1 .3 10.8Lee MayberryPG 79 32 1,835 114 349 65 10 363 23.2 1.4 4.4 .8 .1 4.6Bryant ReevesC 74 74 2,527 585 155 39 80 1,207 34.1 7.9 2.1 .5 1.1 16.3Antonio DanielsSG 74 50 1,956 143 334 55 10 579 26.4 1.9 4.5 .7 .1 7.8Tony MassenburgC 61 13 894 232 21 25 24 396 14.7 3.8 .3 .4 .4 6.5Sam MackSF 57 54 1,414 133 101 41 11 616 24.8 2.3 1.8 .7 .2 10.8Otis Thorpe†PF 47 46 1,574 371 161 30 23 528 33.5 7.9 3.4 .6 .5 11.2Michael Smith basketball, born 1972†PF 30 29 706 206 59 26 6 182 23.5 6.9 2.0 .9 .2 6.1Ivano NewbillPF 28 2 249 69 9 10 3 58 8.9 2.5 .3 .4 .1 2.1Bobby Hurley†PG 27 0 458 30 97 10 0 122 17.0 1.1 3.6 .4 .0 4.5Chris Robinson basketball†SG 16 0 143 13 10 7 1 54 8.9 .8 .6 .4 .1 3.4Anthony Peeler†SG 8 8 202 20 23 9 0 79 25.3 2.5 2.9 1.1 .0 9.9Larry Robinson basketball, born 1968SF 6 0 41 12 1 4 0 17 6.8 2.0 .2 .7 .0 2.8 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Grizzlies only. Transactions Vancouver acquired forward-center Otis Thorpe in a trade with the Detroit Pistons. The Grizzlies gave up a conditional first round draft pick. Vancouver also acquired Sam Mack from the Houston Rockets to become the team's starting shooting guard. Midway through the season, Thorpe was traded along with Chris Robinson to the Sacramento Kings for Michael Smith and Bobby Hurley. The Grizzlies hired Brian Hill to become the head coach. Hill had previously been the head coach of the Orlando Magic from 1993 to 1997, leading them to a 191–104 record under his helm. The Magic advanced to the 1995 NBA Finals and had a 60 win season in 1995–96. References Grizzlies on Database Basketball Grizzlies on Basketball Reference Van Category:Vancouver Grizzlies seasons Vancouver