2001–02 Memphis Grizzlies season

The 2001–02 NBA season was the Grizzlies' 7th season in the National Basketball Association, and their first season in Memphis.[1] After six years of struggling in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, and became the "Memphis Grizzlies";[2][3][4][5][6] although it was the first NBA team for the city, Memphis played home to an American Basketball Association team known as the Memphis Sounds from 1970 to 1975.

2001–02 Memphis Grizzlies season
Head coachSidney Lowe
General managerBilly Knight
PresidentDick Versace
Owner(s)Michael Heisley
ArenaPyramid Arena
Results
Record23–59 (.280)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Midwest)
Conference: 13th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net South, WMC, WPXX
RadioWREC
< 2000–01 2002–03 >

The Grizzlies had the sixth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, and selected small forward Shane Battier from Duke University, and acquired top draft pick and Spanish basketball star Pau Gasol, point guard Brevin Knight and former University of Memphis star Lorenzen Wright from the Atlanta Hawks; Gasol was drafted by the Hawks with the third overall pick.[7][8][9][10][11] During the off-season, the team acquired point guard Jason Williams, and veteran shooting guard Nick Anderson from the Sacramento Kings,[12][13][14] and signed free agent Rodney Buford.[15] However, center Bryant Reeves missed the entire season with a preseason back injury, and never played for the team in Memphis during the regular season.[16][17]

The Grizzlies made their debut on November 1, 2001, at the Pyramid Arena; the Grizzlies would lose to the Detroit Pistons by a score of 90–80.[18] The Grizzlies lost their first eight games of the season, as guard Michael Dickerson only played just four games due to a groin injury, and was out for the remainder of the season.[19] Their first win would come in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 98–93; the game was played at the Pyramid on November 17, for the franchise's first win in Memphis.[20] At mid-season, center Isaac Austin was released to free agency, as the Grizzlies finished in last place in the Midwest Division with a 23–59 record, which was the same record as their previous season in Vancouver.[21]

The highlight of the season was the contribution of both Gasol and Battier. Gasol led the team with 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and was named Rookie of the Year,[22][23] while Battier had a solid rookie season averaging 14.4 points per game. Both players were named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Williams finished second on the team in scoring with 14.8 points, and led them with 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Wright led the team in rebounding with 9.4 rebounds per game, but only played just 43 games due to a knee injury,[24][25] while second-year forward Stromile Swift provided the team with 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game off the bench.[26]

The highlight of the inaugural season for the Grizzlies came on December 21; the Grizzlies beat the eventual NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers at the Pyramid winning 114–108.[27] Following the season, Reeves retired after six seasons in the NBA, and Buford, Anderson, Tony Massenburg and Grant Long were all released to free agency.

For the season, the team replaced the city name "Vancouver" with "Memphis" above their primary logo of a grizzly bear holding a basketball,[28] and also replaced "Vancouver" with "Memphis" on their uniforms.[29][30] The primary logo and uniforms both remained in use until 2004, although the uniforms were slightly changed next season, as they replaced the team's alternate logo with their primary logo on their shorts.

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 6 Shane Battier SF/SG   United States Duke
1 27 Jamaal Tinsley PG   United States Iowa State
2 32 Will Solomon PG   United States Clemson
2 47 Antonis Fotsis (from New York) SF   Greece Panathinaikos (Greece)

Roster

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2001–02 Memphis Grizzlies roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 25 Anderson, Nick   6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–01–20 Illinois
G/F 31 Battier, Shane 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1978–09–09 Duke
G 32 Buford, Rodney 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1977–11–02 Creighton
G 8 Dickerson, Michael   6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1975–06–25 Arizona
F 6 Fotsis, Antonis 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1981–04–01 Greece
F/C 16 Gasol, Pau 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1980–07–06 Spain
G 7 Gill, Eddie 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1978–08–16 Weber State
G 22 Knight, Brevin 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 1975–11–08 Stanford
F 43 Long, Grant 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1966–03–12 Eastern Michigan
F 34 Massenburg, Tony 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1967–07–31 Maryland
C 50 Reeves, Bryant   (IN) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 290 lb (132 kg) 1973–06–08 Oklahoma State
G 5 Perry, Elliot 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 1969–03–28 Memphis
G 1 Solomon, Will 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1978–07–20 Auburn
F 4 Swift, Stromile 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1979–11–21 LSU
G 2 Williams, Jason 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1975–11–18 Florida
C 42 Wright, Lorenzen 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1975–11–04 Memphis
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  •   Injured

Roster

Roster Notes

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  • Center Bryant Reeves missed the entire season due to a back injury.

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 58 24 .707 32–9 26–15 21–3
x-Dallas Mavericks 57 25 .695 1 30–11 27–14 16–8
x-Minnesota Timberwolves 50 32 .610 8 29–12 21–20 15–9
x-Utah Jazz 44 38 .537 14 25–16 19–22 8–16
Houston Rockets 28 54 .341 30 18–23 10–31 9–15
Denver Nuggets 27 55 .329 31 20–21 7–34 8–16
Memphis Grizzlies 23 59 .280 35 15–26 8–33 7–17
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Sacramento Kings 61 21 .744
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 58 24 .707 3
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 58 24 .707 3
4 x-Dallas Mavericks 57 25 .695 4
5 x-Minnesota Timberwolves 50 32 .610 11
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 12
7 x-Seattle SuperSonics 45 37 .549 16
8 x-Utah Jazz 44 38 .537 17
9 Los Angeles Clippers 39 43 .476 22
10 Phoenix Suns 36 46 .439 25
11 Houston Rockets 28 54 .341 33
12 Denver Nuggets 27 55 .329 34
13 Memphis Grizzlies 23 59 .280 38
14 Golden State Warriors 21 61 .256 40

Record vs. opponents

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2001-02 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–3
Boston 2–2 2–1 2–2 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 3–1
Charlotte 2–2 1–2 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 3–1
Chicago 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 0–2 0–4 3–1 0–3 1–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–3
Cleveland 1–3 0–4 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–3 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–2
Dallas 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–1
Denver 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–1 1–3 0–2
Detroit 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–1
Houston 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–1
Indiana 3–1 0–3 1–3 4–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–3 2–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–4 1–1
L.A. Lakers 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–0
Memphis 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 3–1 0–2
Miami 1–3 1–3 0–3 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–2
Milwaukee 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 0–2 1–2 1–3 2–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 4–0 2–0 3–1
Minnesota 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–0
New Jersey 1–2 1–3 3–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–1 1–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 3–1
New York 3–1 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–0 1–1 1–3
Orlando 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–2 1–1 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–2
Philadelphia 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–1 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 2–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–2
Portland 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–3 2–0
Sacramento 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 0–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–1
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 2–0 4–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–0
Seattle 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–3 1–1
Toronto 4–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–3 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–2
Utah 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 0–4 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0
Washington 3–0 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–1 0–2

Game log

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Game Date Opponent Result Grizzlies score Opponent score Record OT

Player statistics

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Ragular season

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Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Pau Gasol PF 82 79 3,007 730 223 41 169 1,441 36.7 8.9 2.7 .5 2.1 17.6
Shane Battier SF 78 78 3,097 418 216 121 81 1,125 39.7 5.4 2.8 1.6 1.0 14.4
Tony Massenburg PF 73 31 1,247 324 26 30 31 403 17.1 4.4 .4 .4 .4 5.5
Stromile Swift PF 68 14 1,805 430 50 53 113 803 26.5 6.3 .7 .8 1.7 11.8
Grant Long PF 66 56 1,868 231 136 63 12 417 28.3 3.5 2.1 1.0 .2 6.3
Jason Williams PG 65 65 2,236 195 519 111 7 959 34.4 3.0 8.0 1.7 .1 14.8
Rodney Buford SG 63 21 1,769 272 71 42 12 591 28.1 4.3 1.1 .7 .2 9.4
Will Solomon SG 62 4 872 68 92 35 7 321 14.1 1.1 1.5 .6 .1 5.2
Brevin Knight PG 53 11 1,151 109 302 79 7 371 21.7 2.1 5.7 1.5 .1 7.0
Lorenzen Wright C 43 33 1,251 405 44 30 23 516 29.1 9.4 1.0 .7 .5 12.0
Antonis Fotsis PF 28 1 320 62 10 9 11 108 11.4 2.2 .4 .3 .4 3.9
Eddie Gill PG 23 5 384 28 49 11 3 116 16.7 1.2 2.1 .5 .1 5.0
Isaac Austin C 21 8 307 71 13 9 5 76 14.6 3.4 .6 .4 .2 3.6
Nick Anderson SG 15 0 219 33 14 6 6 60 14.6 2.2 .9 .4 .4 4.0
Isaac Fontaine SG 6 0 75 5 4 0 0 11 12.5 .8 .7 .0 .0 1.8
Michael Dickerson SG 4 4 124 12 9 3 1 43 31.0 3.0 2.3 .8 .3 10.8
Elliot Perry PG 2 0 48 4 7 3 0 11 24.0 2.0 3.5 1.5 .0 5.5

Awards and records

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Awards

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Pau Gasol 2001–2002 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Pau Gasol 2001–2002 NBA All-Rookie Team[31]

Shane Battier 2001–2002 NBA All-Rookie Team[31]

Records

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Transactions

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Trades

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Free agents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ 2001-02 Memphis Grizzlies
  2. ^ Wise, Mike (March 25, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL: NOTEBOOK; It Looks as If Grizzlies Are Heading for Memphis". The New York Times. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "Each Team Files Application for Relocation". ESPN. ESPN.com News Services. March 27, 2001. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "PLUS: PRO BASKETBALL; Grizzlies' Move Receives Approval". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 29, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  5. ^ "NBA Approves Grizzlies' Move". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 4, 2001. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  6. ^ "NBA Owners Approve Grizzlies' Move to Memphis". ESPN. Associated Press. July 19, 2001. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Wizards Go Young, But Bulls Go Younger". ESPN. Associated Press. June 27, 2001. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Wise, Mike (June 28, 2001). "High School Star Taken No. 1 in N.B.A. Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  9. ^ Denlinger, Ken (June 28, 2001). "NBA Draft Is Elementary". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Brewer, Jerry (June 28, 2001). "And a Child Leads Them". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "2001 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  12. ^ "Around the NBA". Los Angeles Times. June 29, 2001. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  13. ^ "Williams' Rocky Relationship with Kings Comes to an End". ESPN. June 29, 2001. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  14. ^ "Suns Agree to Trade Kidd to Nets for Marbury". Tampa Bay Times. June 29, 2001. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  15. ^ Wise, Mike (October 30, 2001). "PRO BASKETBALL; Jordan Against the New Generation, Lakers Against the World". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Memphis 103, Seattle 99". United Press International. October 15, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  17. ^ "Grizzlies' Reeves Disabled by Back". The Oklahoman. October 30, 2001. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  18. ^ Lisle, Andria (November 3, 2001). "Grizzlies Drop Home Opener, 80-90". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  19. ^ "Grizzly Guard Sidelined". United Press International. November 15, 2001. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  20. ^ "Cleveland Cavaliers at Memphis Grizzlies Box Score, November 17, 2001". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  21. ^ "2001-02 Memphis Grizzlies Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  22. ^ "Gasol Gets 117 Out of a Possible 126 Votes". ESPN. Associated Press. April 24, 2002. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  23. ^ "NBA & ABA Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  24. ^ Przybyszewski, Chris (December 6, 2001). "Timberwolves Rip Grizzlies, 105-80". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  25. ^ "Buford Clarifies Drug Suspension". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 15, 2002. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  26. ^ "2001–02 Memphis Grizzlies Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  27. ^ Memphis Grizzlies (2001-Present)
  28. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  29. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  30. ^ "Memphis Grizzlies Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  31. ^ a b RealGM,Historical Memphis Grizzlies Awards, Sept 20 2011