1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Grizzlies' second season in the National Basketball Association. Coming off of an NBA worst record of 15–67 in their first season, the Grizzlies acquired Anthony Peeler and George Lynch from the Los Angeles Lakers, and signed free agent Lee Mayberry during the offseason. However, they continued to struggle in their second season losing their first seven games as head coach Brian Winters was fired after an 8–35 start, and was replaced with General Manager Stu Jackson. The Grizzlies then suffered a 15-game losing streak between February and March, finishing last place in the Midwest Division with a league worst record of 14–68, their worst record in franchise history. Top draft pick Shareef Abdur-Rahim led the Grizzlies with 18.7 points per game and made the All-Rookie First Team. Second-year star Bryant Reeves showed improvement averaging 16.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Following the season, Greg Anthony signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics, and Jackson was fired as coach.
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 | United States | University of California |
| 1 | 23 | Roy Rogers | Forward | United States | University of Alabama |
| 2 | 51 | Chris Robinson | Guard | United States | Western Kentucky University |
Roster
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.
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Player statistics
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| ' | 80 | 71 | 35.0 | .453 | .259 | .746 | 6.9 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 18.7 |
| ' | 65 | 44 | 28.7 | .393 | .370 | .730 | 2.8 | 6.3 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 9.5 |
| 54 | 1 | 12.3 | .436 | .362 | .591 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 3.4 | |
| 61 | 12 | 23.6 | .397 | .281 | .817 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 7.8 | |
| 19 | 1 | 6.1 | .467 | .000 | .500 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.8 | |
| 41 | 27 | 25.8 | .471 | .258 | .619 | 6.4 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 8.3 | |
| 16 | 1 | 8.0 | .375 | .667 | .750 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 2.8 | |
| 80 | 38 | 24.4 | .403 | .376 | .630 | 1.7 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 5.1 | |
| 28 | 8 | 11.0 | .444 | .000 | .533 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 2.6 | |
| 67 | 18 | 18.1 | .388 | .291 | .646 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 6.7 | |
| 8 | 0 | 11.1 | .182 | .200 | .400 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | |
| ' | 72 | 57 | 31.8 | .398 | .373 | .820 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| ' | 75 | 75 | 37.0 | .486 | .091 | .704 | 8.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 16.2 |
| 41 | 6 | 16.6 | .379 | .382 | .615 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 4.6 | |
| 82 | 50 | 22.5 | .505 | 1.000 | .574 | 4.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 6.6 | |
| 32 | 1 | 17.3 | .573 | .000 | .673 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 6.2 |
Awards and records
- Shareef Abdur-Rahim, First Team, NBA All-Rookie Team
Transactions