The best Grizzlies players at their position at their peak year in the Grizzlies 13 year history. It wasn't hard to find them since all of them are still playing. Two are still playing with them, 2 play in Sacramento, and most recently, one just got traded to the Lakers. I wonder who?
C-Pau Gasol (06-07)
20.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.5, SPG, 2.1 BPG
FG 57.8%, 3 PT FG, 27.8%, FT 74.8%
Pau Gasol, of course, is the most celebrated Grizzly. Drafted by Atlanta and traded for Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 2001, he became the Rookie of the Year and went on to lead the franchise in leading scorer (8,872), rebounder (4,051) and shot blocker (868) in franchise history. He led Memphis to 3 playoff appearances. All 3 series, however, 0-4 sweeps for the Grizz. After requesting a trade, Memphis traded Gasol and a 2010 2nd round pick to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, brother Marc Gasol and 1st round picks in 2008 and 2010. Lamar Odom was the original plan, but Memphis was looking for cap space after the season. And so the Gasol area (01-08) ended.
PF-Shareef Abdur-Rahim (99-00)
20.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG
FG 46.5%, 3 PT FG 30.8%, FT 80.9%
It's safe to say that he's the best Vanouver Grizzly with the numbers he put up. Teamed up with Mike Bibby, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist got the point guard needed to become the best duo the franchise ever had. Together in 2000-01 they averaged 36.4 PPG. Shareef holds the Grizzlies records for most points in a season (1,829), scoring average (22.3), rebounds (825) and rebounding average (10.1). After never making the playoffs, he was traded for to the Atlanta Hawks for rookie Pau Gasol. After being traded to Portland along with Theo Ratliff and Dan Dickau for Rasheed Wallace and Wesley Person, he eventually rejoined Mike Bibby in Sacramento in 2005 and made his playoff debut in 2006, losing to San Antonio 4-2.
SF-Rudy Gay (07-08 Going into All-Star Break)
19.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG
44.6% FG, 39% 3 PT FG, 78.2% FT
Congrats Rudy Gay! Only a sophomore and you're already among the top 5 players in Grizzlies history. There's nothing but a bright future for this highflying sophomore who hasn't even peaked yet as for as we know. A great dunker, a deadly 3 point shooter when left open, and a developing defender, Gay has proved to be one of the best young players in the league, also to participate in the Dunk Contest.
SG-Mike Miller (06-07)
18.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG
FG 46%, 3 PT FG 40.6%, FT 79.3%
Mike Miller is probably the best shooter Memphis' ever had. Acquired in a trade in 2003 with the Orlando Magic, the 2001 Rookie of the Year helped Memphis to 3 playoff appearances. In 2006, Miller recieved the Sixth Man Award and went on to have his best individual season to date last year. With the absence of Pau Gasol, Miller has stepped up to help carry his team to score 20+ points the last 3 out of 4 games.
PG-Mike Bibby (00-01)
15.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG 8.4, APG 1.3, SPG 0.2, BPG
FG 45.4%, 3PT FG 39.1%, FT 76.1%
Bibby was drafted by Vancouver a year later after Shareef. He was an instant success as a point guard and holds the record for the assist average (8.4). He and Shareef, as mentioned before, were the best duo the Grizz ever had. However, they never made the playoffs. Bibby was traded to Sacramento in exchange for Jason Williams where he would make the playoffs for 5 straight years and played a major role in the 2002 Playoffs against the Lakers.
If each of these players played together at their best during their stay on the team, these would be their averages.
Points Per Game 95.4
Rebounds Per Game 35.4
Assists Per Game 21.2
Steals Per Game 5.2
Blocks Per Game 4.5
Field Goal Percentage 48.06%
3 Point Field Goal Percentage 35.46%
Free Throw Percentage 77.86%
So there you have it. Through 13 years, these are the Grizzlies all time great players.
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