Why did the Grizzlies fail so horribly in Vancouver on every aspect?

[Kiddlovesnets]

I mean, look at the Raptors. They may never have had a contending team, but the fans are crazy about them and the popularity of the Raptors in Toronto is insane. During this year's playoffs you see fans sitting outside the stadium cheering for them, its only imaginable for superbowl or worldcup.

However, the Grizzlies never enjoyed the same fortune in Vancouver. The attendance was absolutely horrible, and the team eventually moved to Memphis. Both are NBA teams in Canada, why was the Grizzlies fate so different from the Raptors?

[tanner892]

because it's the Grizzlies

[triangleoffense]

vancouver already had one fail team in the canucks, dont need 2

[alanLA92]

Ummmm....Vancouver Sucks.

[kkb_12]

I mean, look at the Raptors. They may never have had a contending team, but the fans are crazy about them and the popularity of the Raptors in Toronto is insane. During this year's playoffs you see fans sitting outside the stadium cheering for them, its only imaginable for superbowl or worldcup.

However, the Grizzlies never enjoyed the same fortune in Vancouver. The attendance was absolutely horrible, and the team eventually moved to Memphis. Both are NBA teams in Canada, why was the Grizzlies fate so different from the Raptors?

Grizzlies were unfortunate to have Stu Jackson as GM, and he was bringing players with no fire and/or life in them, and was going for veterans who did not care to come and play in Vancouver.

Jackson drafted:

Abdur-Rahim before Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jermaine O'Neal
Antonio Daniels before MCGrady
Bibby before Carter, Nowitzki, Pierce, Jason Williams

fiasco with Steve Francis was on a whole new level....

No veteran wanted to play for Grizlies, and Doug West, Thorpe, Scott, Carr showed it in every ocassion...

In 5 years Jackson was trading players only with Houston, Orlando and Minnesota with no real plan. Coaches were joke too, including Lionel Hollins whose idea of the game plan was to let Bibby and Dickerson shoot from outside as much as they want. No defense, no offense...

[MMM]

Grizzlies were unfortunate to have Stu Jackson as GM, and he was bringing players with no fire and/or life in them, and was going for veterans who did not care to come and play in Vancouver.

Jackson drafted:

Abdur-Rahim before Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jermaine O'Neal
Antonio Daniels before MCGrady
Bibby before Carter, Nowitzki, Pierce, Jason Williams

fiasco with Steve Francis was on a whole new level....

No veteran wanted to play for Grizlies, and Doug West, Thorpe, Scott, Carr showed it in every ocassion...

In 5 years Jackson was trading players only with Houston, Orlando and Minnesota with no real plan. Coaches were joke too, including Lionel Hollins whose idea of the game plan was to let Bibby and Dickerson shoot from outside as much as they want. No defense, no offense...

that wasn't that bad a move at the time. Heck SAR was a very nice young player but playing in a losing situation really ****ed up his potential. He picked up a lot of losing habits similar to Love actually. If you think those players you mentioned would have any success in Vancouver than you are probably delusional.

Again those other selections weren't that bad as well. McGrady wasn't a sure thing back then but overall terrible management was the reason Ball died in Vancouver.

[maybeshewill13]

Ummmm....Vancouver Sucks.

[kkb_12]

that wasn't that bad a move at the time. Heck SAR was a very nice young player but playing in a losing situation really ****ed up his potential. He picked up a lot of losing habits similar to Love actually. If you think those players you mentioned would have any success in Vancouver than you are probably delusional.

Again those other selections weren't that bad as well. McGrady wasn't a sure thing back then but overall terrible management was the reason Ball died in Vancouver.

Agreed Abdur-Rahim was a very nice player - but with no drive, and fire, and you have found good comparison in Love. I am not talking about skill level, I am talking about drive that Pierce, Allen, Nash, Jason Williams and all other players had... Rahim and Bibby are more skilled players than Jason Williams, but compared to him both of them were mellow and bland.

McGrady was not sure thing, but he had great reputation heading into draft, being very athletic shooter... Antonio Daniels was probably the least bad choice out of all Jackson's picks, as he was also quite athletic, but with neither play making nor shooting capability.

[AKADS]

Attendance was never a issue it was also due to the Canadian dollar at the time being at 65 cents on the dollars. So we were paying 133% based in the money coming in as Canadian and going to the players in American.

Also horrible management. Had Vancouver had any management. Veterans would have loved it here. Hell Hakeem still owns a house here

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Ummmm....Vancouver Sucks.

Yup. So much worse than places like Milwaukee and OKC

[apesta]

It was always a misconception that people in Vancouver never supported the Grizz. The earlier years that they started here, people packed the arena even when they were going through 10+ games losing streak. Poor management and the fact that some players didnt even wanna come to play up north turned most of the fans away. Grizz didnt make it to the playoffs until they went to Memphis. Its hard for people to support a team that wins only 20 or less games a year. If Grizz had similar success as the Raps did , people wouldve paid more attention to them.

[el gringos]

Ummmm....Vancouver Sucks.

Pretty easy to tell you've never been there


One of the best cities in North America

[Legends66NBA7]

I mean, look at the Raptors. They may never have had a contending team, but the fans are crazy about them and the popularity of the Raptors in Toronto is insane. During this year's playoffs you see fans sitting outside the stadium cheering for them, its only imaginable for superbowl or worldcup.

However, the Grizzlies never enjoyed the same fortune in Vancouver. The attendance was absolutely horrible, and the team eventually moved to Memphis. Both are NBA teams in Canada, why was the Grizzlies fate so different from the Raptors?

The fate is different because as cities, Toronto is a bigger market and MLSE can make a profit on the Raptors better than Vancouver's ownership.

Both teams have had horrible management, but Vancover made much bigger mistakes in it's younger years that cost them their future. Factor in lack of players wanting to come and the Steve Francis situation and the team finally got relocated.

Toronto Raptors have remained due to the ownership, city ties, and fan interest.

[kennethgriffin]

that wasn't that bad a move at the time. Heck SAR was a very nice young player but playing in a losing situation really ****ed up his potential. He picked up a lot of losing habits similar to Love actually. If you think those players you mentioned would have any success in Vancouver than you are probably delusional.

Again those other selections weren't that bad as well. McGrady wasn't a sure thing back then but overall terrible management was the reason Ball died in Vancouver.

kobe would have put vancouver on the map. an iconic name would have brought respect and talent to the city.

he was hyped before ever entering the nba

kobe only slipped to 13th cause no highschool guard had ever been drafted before

they were already calling him the next mj

dude was already sprite and addidas main guy even before his msg allstar game in 98

[alanLA92]

Yup. So much worse than places like Milwaukee and OKC

Yup.

Pretty easy to tell you've never been there


One of the best cities in North America

Pretty easy to tell I was joking around.