1997–98 Vancouver Grizzlies season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Grizzlies' third season in the National Basketball Association.[1] After finishing with the worst record in their first two seasons, the Grizzlies selected Antonio Daniels out of Bowling Green State University with the fourth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft.[2][3][4][5][6] In the off-season, the team 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 in four straight games to the Houston Rockets.[7][8][9] The team also acquired Otis Thorpe from the Detroit Pistons,[10][11][12] acquired three-point specialist Sam Mack from the Houston Rockets, and acquired Tony Massenburg from the Boston Celtics.[13][14]

1997–98 Vancouver Grizzlies season
Head coachBrian Hill
General managerStu Jackson
OwnersJohn McCaw, Jr.
ArenaGeneral Motors Place
Results
Record19–63 (.232)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Midwest)
Conference: 11th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionCHEK-TV
Showcase
RadioCKNW

The Grizzlies played around .500 early into the season with a 6–7 start, but then struggled again posting a 13-game losing streak between December and January, and held a 13–36 record at the All-Star break.[15] At midseason, Thorpe was traded back to his former team, the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Michael Smith and Bobby Hurley,[16][17][18][19] while Anthony Peeler was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Doug West.[20][19][21][22] The Grizzlies finally escaped last place by finishing sixth in the Midwest Division with a 19–63 record.[23]

Leading the way in scoring again was second-year star Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who averaged 22.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while Bryant Reeves averaged 16.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, Mack and sixth man Blue Edwards both contributed 10.8 points per game each, and Daniels provided the team with 7.8 points and 4.5 assists per game. In addition, George Lynch provided with 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game off the bench, and Lee Mayberry contributed 4.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, after replacing Daniels as the team's starting point guard midway through the season.[24] Following the season, Daniels was traded to the San Antonio Spurs,[25][26][27] while Edwards signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat during the next season,[28][29] Lynch signed with the Philadelphia 76ers,[30][31] and Hurley was released to free agency.

For the season, the Grizzlies added new black alternate road uniforms with turquoise side panels, which would become their primary road jerseys for the 2000–01 season.[32]

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 Junior College

Roster
1997–98 Vancouver Grizzlies roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 3 Abdur-Rahim, Shareef 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) –– California
F/C 23 Chilcutt, Pete 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) –– North Carolina
G 33 Daniels, Antonio 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) –– Bowling Green
G 30 Edwards, Blue 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) –– East Carolina
G 12 Hurley, Bobby 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) –– Duke
F 9 Lynch, George 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 218 lb (99 kg) –– North Carolina
G 7 Mack, Sam Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) –– Houston
F/C 44 Massenburg, Tony 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) –– Maryland
G 11 Mayberry, Lee 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 172 lb (78 kg) –– Arkansas
F 40 Newbill, Ivano 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) –– Georgia Tech
C 50 Reeves, Bryant Injured 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 290 lb (132 kg) –– Oklahoma State
G 6 Robinson, Larry 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) –– Centenary
F 34 Smith, Michael 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) –– Providence
G 2 West, Doug Injured (IN) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) –– Villanova
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Roster Notes

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
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
z-Utah Jazz 6220.756–36–526–1522–2
x-San Antonio Spurs 5626.683631–1025–1618–6
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 4537.5491726–1519–2214–10
x-Houston Rockets 4141.5002124–1717–2414–10
Dallas Mavericks 2062.2444213–287–349–15
Vancouver Grizzlies 1963.2324314–275–364–20
Denver Nuggets 1171.134519–322–393–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Utah Jazz6220.756–
2 y-Seattle SuperSonics6121.7441
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers6121.7441
4 x-Phoenix Suns5626.6836
5 x-San Antonio Spurs5626.6836
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers4636.56116
7 x-Minnesota Timberwolves4537.54917
8 x-Houston Rockets4141.50021
9 Sacramento Kings2755.32935
10 Dallas Mavericks2062.24442
11 Vancouver Grizzlies1963.23243
11 Golden State Warriors1963.23243
13 Los Angeles Clippers1765.20745
14 Denver Nuggets1171.13451

Record vs. opponents
1997-98 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 —2–14–01–34–02–02–02–22–01–11–32–00–21–33–10–21–22–22–23–10–21–12–01–11–14–00–22–04–0
Boston 1–2—1–21–31–31–11–12–21–11–10–42–01–10–42–21–12–22–22–23–10–21–11–10–21–13–00–22–03–2
Charlotte 0–42–1—1–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–01–13–13–11–12–21–33–12–11–12–01–11–11–14–01–12–02–2
Chicago 3–13–13–1—2–21–12–03–12–02–02–22–01–12–14–01–14–04–03–12–11–11–12–02–01–14–00–22–03–1
Cleveland 0–43–12–22–2—1–12–03–12–01–12–22–01–11–32–22–03–11–22–23–12–01–12–00–20–23–11–12–01–2
Dallas 0–21–10–21–11–1—3–10–21–30–41–11–30–40–20–22–20–21–10–20–20–40–40–40–42–21–10–44–01–1
Denver 0–21–10–20–20–21–3—0–21–30–40–22–20–40–20–21–30–20–20–20–20–42–21–30–40–40–20–41–31–1
Detroit 2–22–21–31–31–32–02–0—2–01–11–32–00–21–22–20–22–22–21–23–11–10–21–11–10–24–00–20–22–2
Golden State 0–21–11–10–20–23–13–10–2—1–30–21–31–30–20–20–40–21–11–10–20–41–32–21–31–30–20–41–30–2
Houston 1–11–10–20–21–14–04–01–13–1—1–14–01–30–21–11–31–11–10–21–11–31–34–02–21–32–00–43–11–1
Indiana 3–14–01–32–22–21–12–03–12–01–1—2–00–23–14–02–02–12–13–14–01–11–12–00–20–24–01–12–04–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–20–20–20–23–12–20–23–10–40–2—0–40–20–20–41–10–20–21–10–40–43–11–30–41–11–31–30–2
L.A. Lakers 2–01–11–11–11–14–04–02–03–13–12–04–0—1–12–04–01–11–11–10–22–22–24–04–01–32–03–14–01–1
Miami 3–14–01–31–23–12–02–02–12–02–01–32–01–1—3–11–13–12–23–14–00–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–02–2
Milwaukee 1–32–21–30–42–22–02–02–22–01–10–42–00–21–3—1–10–43–12–12–20–22–02–00–21–13–10–21–11–2
Minnesota 2–01–11–11–10–22–23–12–04–03–10–24–00–41–11–1—2–01–10–22–03–11–33–11–31–31–11–34–00–2
New Jersey 2–12–22–20–41–32–02–02–22–01–11–21–11–11–34–00–2—2–23–13–11–11–12–01–10–23–10–22–01–3
New York 2–22–23–10–42–11–12–02–21–11–11–22–01–12–21–31–12–2—4–02–22–01–11–10–21–13–10–22–01–3
Orlando 2–22–21–31–32–22–02–02–11–12–01–32–01–11–31–22–01–30–4—4–00–22–00–20–21–13–10–22–03–1
Philadelphia 1–31–31–21–21–32–02–01–32–01–10–41–12–00–42–20–21–32–20–4—1–11–11–10–20–22–20–22–03–1
Phoenix 2–02–01–11–10–24–04–01–14–03–11–14–02–22–02–01–31–10–22–01–1—2–23–13–12–22–01–34–01–1
Portland 1–11–10–21–11–14–02–22–03–13–11–14–02–20–20–23–11–11–10–21–12–2—3–12–20–42–03–12–21–1
Sacramento 0–21–11–10–20–24–03–11–12–20–40–21–30–40–20–21–30–21–12–01–11–31–3—0–41–31–12–22–21–1
San Antonio 1–12–01–10–22–04–04–01–13–12–22–03–10–42–02–03–11–12–02–02–01–32–24–0—2–22–01–34–01–1
Seattle 1–11–11–11–12–02–24–02–03–13–12–04–03–12–01–13–12–01–11–12–02–24–03–12–2—2–02–24–01–1
Toronto 0–40–30–40–41–31–12–00–42–00–20–41–10–20–41–31–11–31–31–32–20–20–21–10–20–2—0–21–10–3
Utah 2–02–01–12–01–14–04–02–04–04–01–13–11–31–12–03–12–02–02–02–03–11–32–23–12–22–0—4–00–2
Vancouver 0–20–20–20–20–20–43–12–03–11–30–23–10–40–21–10–40–20–20–20–20–42–22–20–40–41–10–4—1–1
Washington 0–42–32–21–32–11–11–12–22–01–10–42–01–12–22–12–03–13–11–31–31–11–11–11–11–13–02–01–1—

Game log
#DateOpponentScoreRecordAttendance
1October 31Dallas Mavericks88–900–117,021
2November 1Sacramento Kings97–961–115,460
3November 4@ Dallas Mavericks87–921–214,285
4November 5@ San Antonio Spurs79–871–314,523
5November 7Minnesota Timberwolves97–1081–415,302
6November 9Detroit Pistons104–96 (OT)2–414,925
7November 11Los Angeles Clippers119–1133–415,160
8November 12@ Utah Jazz80–983–519,851
9November 15Milwaukee Bucks109–944–517,666
10November 16@ Los Angeles Lakers95–1214–617,139
11November 18@ Denver Nuggets100–875–69,718
12November 19@ Seattle SuperSonics87–1075–717,072
13November 21Denver Nuggets99–966–715,988
14November 23@ New York Knicks84–1046–819,763
15November 26@ Milwaukee Bucks82–1016–915,126
16November 27@ Indiana Pacers85–1066–1014,391
17November 29@ Minnesota Timberwolves87–1066–1117,494
18November 30@ Detroit Pistons97–957–1116,030
19December 3Orlando Magic97–1017–1215,069
20December 5Cleveland Cavaliers98–1077–1315,558
21December 9@ Phoenix Suns85–1077–1419,023
22December 12Golden State Warriors95–888–1414,810
23December 14Houston Rockets110–1059–1414,411
24December 16@ Houston Rockets91–1189–1516,285
25December 17@ San Antonio Spurs87–989–1613,576
26December 19@ Portland Trail Blazers91–969–1719,863
27December 21Portland Trail Blazers88–8610–1715,174
28December 26Phoenix Suns100–11810–1817,023
29December 28Utah Jazz88–8910–1916,488
30December 30San Antonio Spurs115–12410–2015,872
31January 1Philadelphia 76ers104–11510–2115,495
32January 2@ Sacramento Kings80–9410–2213,925
33January 4Seattle SuperSonics108–12010–2315,122
34January 6Los Angeles Lakers87–10010–2415,837
35January 7@ Los Angeles Clippers102–11010–254,107
36January 9Charlotte Hornets90–9810–2615,251
37January 11Miami Heat90–9610–2715,186
38January 13@ Philadelphia 76ers89–10710–2810,838
39January 15@ Boston Celtics93–9710–2916,855
40January 16@ Washington Wizards110–11210–3016,763
41January 20Denver Nuggets88–7711–3015,852
42January 23@ Golden State Warriors88–8012–3012,359
43January 24Golden State Warriors107–9613–3016,223
44January 27Chicago Bulls85–10313–3119,193
45January 29Minnesota Timberwolves106–11213–3215,111
46January 31New Jersey Nets106–11613–3317,094
47February 2@ Dallas Mavericks90–10413–3411,049
48February 3@ Houston Rockets97–11013–3516,285
49February 5@ Charlotte Hornets93–10813–3621,984
50February 12Houston Rockets103–11213–3715,620
51February 14Washington Wizards110–10814–3716,105
52February 18Boston Celtics105–11414–3816,703
53February 20@ Atlanta Hawks92–11514–399,022
54February 22@ Toronto Raptors105–113 (OT)14–4016,932
55February 24@ New Jersey Nets101–11014–4113,335
56February 25@ Cleveland Cavaliers101–10614–4213,701
57March 1Atlanta Hawks76–10114–4315,371
58March 3Indiana Pacers103–11114–4415,095
59March 6Sacramento Kings96–9814–4514,605
60March 8Toronto Raptors113–10615–4516,098
61March 12@ Denver Nuggets93–9815–469,112
62March 13@ Utah Jazz101–11015–4719,911
63March 15Los Angeles Lakers110–11915–4818,983
64March 17@ Orlando Magic92–9915–4917,248
65March 18@ Miami Heat91–9415–5014,653
66March 20@ Chicago Bulls92–9815–5124,023
67March 21@ Minnesota Timberwolves88–10215–5218,336
68March 23Los Angeles Clippers106–9516–5215,392
69March 26@ Portland Trail Blazers102–10816–5320,581
70March 27New York Knicks89–97 (OT)16–5417,630
71March 29@ Phoenix Suns98–10616–5519,023
72March 31Dallas Mavericks101–10416–5615,120
73April 3Seattle SuperSonics98–13816–5719,193
74April 5Utah Jazz93–9916–5818,068
75April 7@ Los Angeles Clippers110–9417–585,124
76April 8@ Los Angeles Lakers102–11317–5917,505
77April 11Portland Trail Blazers105–96 (OT)18–5916,432
78April 12Phoenix Suns106–12918–6016,266
79April 14@ Seattle SuperSonics98–11018–6117,072
80April 16San Antonio Spurs97–11018–6217,485
81April 18@ Golden State Warriors100–11218–6316,481
82April 19@ Sacramento Kings112–108 (OT)19–6315,329

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

  team leaders

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Shareef Abdur-Rahim 828236.0.485.412.7847.12.61.10.922.3
Pete Chilcutt 82017.3.435.415.6613.71.30.60.54.9
Antonio Daniels 745026.4.416.212.6591.94.50.70.17.8
Blue Edwards 812024.3.439.333.8372.72.51.10.310.8
Bobby Hurley 27017.0.374.143.7441.13.60.40.04.5
George Lynch 82018.2.481.300.7034.41.50.80.57.5
Sam Mack 575424.8.397.409.8052.31.80.70.210.8
Tony Massenburg 611314.7.479.000.7303.80.30.40.46.5
Lee Mayberry 793223.2.375.350.7451.44.40.80.14.6
Ivano Newbill 2828.9.3511.000.5672.50.30.40.12.1
Anthony Peeler 8825.3.486.263.6672.52.91.10.09.9
Bryant Reeves 747434.1.523.000.7067.92.10.51.116.3
Chris Robinson 1608.9.351.292.5000.80.60.40.13.4
Larry Robinson 606.8.316.5001.0002.00.20.70.02.8
Michael Smith 302923.5.504.000.6586.92.00.90.26.1
Otis Thorpe 474633.5.477.000.6947.93.40.60.511.2

Awards and records

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
  1. 1997-98 Vancouver Grizzlies
  2. Wise, Mike (June 26, 1997). "After Duncan, Utah Forward Steals Show". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. Heisler, Mark (June 26, 1997). "Draft Over, But Not Finished". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. Cotton, Anthony (June 26, 1997). "No. 1 Pick Turns Duncan Into Spur of Moment". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  5. "First Round Selections in the 1997 NBA Draft Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C." Hartford Courant. June 26, 1997. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
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  9. "Hill Gets Fresh Start With Grizzlies". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 27, 1997. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
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  11. "Grizzlies Obtain Pistons' Thorpe". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 8, 1997. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  12. "Thorpe Sent to Grizzlies". Tampa Bay Times. August 8, 1997. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  13. "Grizzlies Acquire Massenburg, Mack". Associated Press. October 28, 1997. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  14. Gardner, Kris (October 28, 1997). "Two Minor Deals Completed on October 28, 1997". The Houston Roundball Review. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  15. "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  16. Wise, Mike (February 19, 1998). "BASKETBALL; Kenny Anderson Is Traded to Celtics in 7-Player Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  17. "Celtics Land Anderson in Deal with Raptors". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 19, 1998. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  18. "In Seven-Player Swap, Raptors Trade Anderson to the Celtics". The Washington Post. February 19, 1998. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  19. Smith, Sam (February 20, 1998). "NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  20. Heisler, Mark (February 20, 1998). "It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
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  26. Wise, Mike (June 25, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  27. Popper, Steve (June 25, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; Lopez of St. John's Ends Up with Grizzlies". The New York Times. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  28. "Ex-Jazzman Edwards Signs with Heat". Deseret News. February 15, 1999. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  29. Winderman, Ira (February 26, 1999). "Valuing Family". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  30. "76ers Add Plenty of New Faces". Pocono Record. Associated Press. January 22, 1999. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  31. Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  32. "Vancouver Grizzlies Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  33. Shapiro, Mark (February 24, 1998). "Grizzlies' West Admits Substance Abuse". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  34. "Grizzlies' West Vows to Deal with Drinking". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 25, 1998. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
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