2001–02 Memphis Grizzlies season

First season in Memphis
Pau Gasol's rookie season
Jason Williams's first season with the Grizzlies

Head coach

Sidney Lowe

Arena

Pyramid Arena

Results

Record

23–59 (.280)

Place

Division: 7th (Midwest)
Conference: 13th (Western)

Playoff finish

DNQ

Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com

Local media

Television

Fox Sports Net South, WMC, WPXX

Radio

WREC

< 2000–01

2002–03 >

The 2001–02 NBA season was the Grizzlies 7th season in the National Basketball Association, and their first season in Memphis. After six years of struggling in Vancouver, the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis. Although it was the first NBA team for the city, Memphis played home to an American Basketball Association team from 1970–1975. During the offseason, the Grizzlies acquired rookie Pau Gasol, Brevin Knight and former University of Memphis star Lorenzen Wright from the Atlanta Hawks, while acquiring Jason Williams and Nick Anderson from the Sacramento Kings. Center Bryant Reeves missed the entire season due to a preseason back injury, and retired after playing just six seasons in the NBA. Shooting guard Michael Dickerson played just four games due to a groin injury.

The Grizzlies made their debut on November 1 at the Pyramid. The Grizzlies would lose to the Detroit Pistons by a score of 90–80. The Grizzlies lost their first 8 games of the season. Their first win would come in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 98–83. The game was played at the Pyramid on November 17, for the franchise's first win in Memphis. The Grizzlies would finish in last place in the Midwest Division with a 23–59 record.

The highlight of the season was the contribution of two rookies. Gasol led the team with 17.6 points per game and was named Rookie of The Year. Top draft pick and Duke alumnus Shane Battier had a solid 14.4 points per game, while Wright led the team in rebounding with 9.0 boards per game. 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. Following the season, Anderson and Isaac Austin both retired, while Grant Long and Tony Massenburg were both released.

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Wikipedia