Vancouver Grizzlies

The Vancouver Grizzlies were a professional basketball team based in Vancouver, Canada, that played in the NBA from 1995 to 2001. Named after the North American bear species, they aimed to bring top-tier basketball to Canadian fans. Despite high expectations, the team struggled with performance issues, low attendance, and financial losses. In 2001, they relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, and became the Memphis Grizzlies. The franchise's move marked the end of Vancouver's brief tenure in the NBA, though it contributed to growth in Canadian basketball interest and paved the way for future Canadian teams like the Toronto Raptors.