2003-2004 Memphis Grizzlies: Playing with Confidence

2003-2004 Memphis Grizzlies: Playing with Confidence

When the Grizzlies organization first formed in the National Basketball Association it was anything but a smooth transition period for anyone who came to play for the team as the organization’s time in Vancouver quickly became a business failure. The Vancouver Grizzlies were never a good basketball team in the 6 seasons they spent in the Pacaific Northwest.

Sometimes a change of scenery is all that players or teams need to get back on the winning path, and this was definitely the case for the Grizzlies. Prior to the 2001-2002 NBA season the Grizzlies would relocate from Vancouver to Memphis, Tennessee to become the Memphis Grizzlies and the organization would become more viable in the business of the NBA.

In the 2003-2004 NBA season the Memphis Grizzlies had their first really good season, going 50-32, finishing 8 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Midwest Division. The Grizzlies went 31-10 at their home arena called the Pyramid Arena while going only 19-22 on the road. In divisional play the Grizzlies went an even 12-12.

Power forward Pau Gasol was just getting used to the style of play the NBA was accustomed to as Gasol was only a couple years into his NBA career. Gasol had 1,381 total points with 600 rebounds, 198 assists and 132 blocks, making 506 of 1,049 field goal shots and 365 of 511 free throws. Gasol averaged 17.7 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Shooting guard James Posey had 1,126 points with 403 rebounds, 122 assists and 137 steals, making 368 of 770 field goals, 112 of 290 3-point shots and 256 of 480 free throws. Point guard Jason Williams provided a lot of thrilling sequences where he lobbed the basketball up in the air for either a layup or an aley-oop. Williams was exceptionally skilled in handling the basketball. Williams had 782 points with 492 assists, making 290 of 713 field goals, 120 of 364 3-point shots and 82 of 98 free throws.

Small forward Shane Battier had 669 points with 303 rebounds, 101 assists and 101 steals, making 252 of 543 field goal shots, 65 of 186 3-point shots and 120 of 164 free throws. Small forward Mike Miller had 722 points with 216 rebounds and 232 assists, making 270 of 616 field goal shots, 80 of 215 3-point shots and 102 of 141 free throws. Center Lorenzen Wright had 610 points with 445 rebounds, making 257 of 586 field goal shots and 96 of 131 free throws.

Point guard Earl Watson had 460 points with 402 assists and 91 steals, making 172 of 464 field goal shots and 90 of 138 free throws. Shooting guard Bonzi Wells had 728 points, making 295 of 675 field goal shots, 21 of 61 3-point shots and 117 of 156 free throws. Power forward Stromile Swift had 727 points with 378 rebounds and 118 blocks, making 268 of 571 field goal shots and 190 of 262 free throws.

While there were still downs in the regular season for the Grizzlies, such as losing streaks, the Grizzlies lifted themselves up at the right times as they went on 4 separate winning streaks. These winning streaks propelled the Grizzlies to relevance and the rest of the NBA realized that this team was finally playing with confidence.

The first winning streak for Memphis was a 6-game winning streak, and it started with a thrilling 122-115 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in double overtime on November 29. This winning streak ended with a 103-90 win over the Atlanta Hawks on December 10.

The double overtime win over the Cavaliers was led by the influential play of Pau Gasol, who had 37 points and 5 blocks, making 12 of 20 shots and 13 of 18 free throws. Mike Miller had 20 points with 8 rebounds, 13 assists and 3 steals, making 7 of 16 shots and 3 of 6 3-point shots. Shane Battier had 22 points and 12 rebounds, making 9 of 18 shots and 3 of 6 3-point shots. Stromile Swift had 19 points and 8 rebounds, making 7 of 11 shots and 5 of 10 free throws.

The second winning streak for the Grizzlies was an 8-game winning streak, and it started with a 108-107 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on January 11, and it ended with a 106-88 win over the Denver Nuggets on January 25. Memphis’ 3^rd winning streak was a 7-game winning streak, and it started with a 97-92 win over the New Orleans Hornets on February 28, and it ended with a 98-89 win over the Clippers on March 12. The 4^th and final long winning streak for Memphis was a 7-game winning streak, and it started with a 99-95 win over the Indiana Pacers on March 20, and it ended with a 109-99 win over the Phoenix Suns on April 2.

Another double overtime victory obtained by the Grizzlies came on January 12 as they slipped past the Golden State Warriors 115-113. Miller had 24 points and 6 rebounds, making 10 of 18 shots and 4 of 6 3-point shots. Gasol had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks while making 6 of 12 shots. Jason Williams had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists while making 6 of 14 shots. Battier had 14 points and 10 rebounds while making 7 of 11 shots. Swift had 14 points and 5 rebounds while making 6 of 11 shots.

The Grizzlies would take yet another double overtime victory on March 29 as they edged out the Atlanta Hawks 136-133. James Posey had 38 points with 11 rebounds, making 10 of 17 shots, 4 of 7 3-point shots and 14 of 15 free throws. Williams had 22 points, 10 assists and 3 steals, making 7 of 14 shots and 5 of 7 free throws. Gasol had 16 points and 4 rebounds while making 8 of 9 shots.

Unfortunately for the Grizzlies they were not able to duplicate their regular season success in the postseason as they would be shown the exit out of the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, a team that had developed a great reputation for making deep playoff runs and winning NBA Championships. The Spurs swept the Grizzlies 4 games to none.

Despite the early exit from the playoffs the 2003-2004 campaign was a success for the Grizzlies organization as the team had made it further than they ever had up until that point. At the age of 70, head coach Hubie Brown was responsible for the remarkable turnaround of the Grizzlies, and his coaching skills would be recognized as he won the Coach of the Year Award. General Manager Jerry West, who was early in his tenure in Memphis, had constructed the roster and he would win the NBA Executive of the Year Award. As time went on the Grizzlies would continue to improve, and they would become a legitimate NBA franchise after making the playoffs more frequently.