After six years of struggling in Vancouver, the Grizzlies moved to Memphis. For Memphis, it was the first NBA team, but the city had played home to an ABA team from 1970-1975.

The Grizzlies made their Memphis debut on November 1st at the Pyramid losing to the Detroit Pistons 90-80. The Grizzlies would struggle mightily at the start as they lost their first eight games before beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-83 at the Pyramid on November 17th for their first Memphis win.

The Grizzlies would not win many more games finishing in last place with a 23-59 record. However, there was still plenty to be excited about that first season in Memphis as Pau Gasol led the team with 17.

6 ppg enroot to being named rookie of the year. Shane Battier, another rookie, also played impressive basketball posting a solid 14.

4 ppg, while former University of Memphis star Lorenzen Wright led the team in rebounding with 9. 0 boards per game.

The highlight of the inaugural season in Memphis came on December 21st when the Grizzlies beat the eventual NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers at the Pyramid 114-108. Following the season, the Grizzlies would look to the Lakers for help to build their future as they hired former Lakers great Jerry West, who was the architect for the current Lakers Championship teams as well as the Showtime teams of the '80s.