Arena General Motors Place Playoff finish DNQ | Record 15–67 (.183) | |
The 1995–96 NBA season was the Grizzlies' first season in the National Basketball Association. The Vancouver Grizzlies, along with the Toronto Raptors became expansion NBA franchises in 1995. They were the first NBA teams to play in Canada since 1946–47's Toronto Huskies. The Grizzlies got off to a solid start stunning the Portland Trail Blazers on the road 92–80 on November 3. Two nights later on November 5, the Grizzlies had a successful home debut at General Motors Place by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 100–98. Despite the start, they struggled and lost their next 19 games, then suffered a dreadful 23-game losing streak in the second half of the season. The Grizzlies finished last place in the Midwest Division with an NBA worst record of 15 wins and 67 losses.
Contents
- NBA Expansion Draft
- NBA draft
- First game
- Regular season
- Highs
- Lows
- Franchise firsts
- Awards and records
- References
Only four Grizzlies averaged 10 or more points per game, as Greg Anthony led the way with 14.0 points per game. Top draft pick Bryant Reeves was selected to the All-Rookie Second Team. In games against the other Canadian expansion team, the Grizzlies and the Raptors split two games. Following the season, Byron Scott re-signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Gerald Wilkins signed with the Orlando Magic.
NBA Expansion Draft
The Grizzlies roster was filled during the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft. By way of winning a coin flip with the Toronto Raptors, Vancouver elected to choose the former, between a higher NBA Draft pick and the first pick in the NBA Expansion Draft, and therefore had the second pick in this draft. With their first pick, the Grizzlies selected point guard Greg Anthony from the New York Knicks.
NBA draft
The Grizzlies first ever draft pick was Bryant Reeves.
First game
Regular season
Although they won their first two games in franchise history, the Grizzlies finished with the worst win/loss record in the 1995–96 NBA season, as is typical for an expansion team, and lost 23 straight games from February to April (setting an NBA single-season record now held by the Philadelphia 76ers with 27.)
Highs
Lows
Franchise firsts
On opening night, the Grizzlies would spoil the Portland Trail Blazers debut at the Rose Garden Arena by defeating them. A few nights later, the Grizzlies would play their first home game, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves at the buzzer.