Memphis Grizzlies: 10 Greatest Individual Season Performances

The Memphis Grizzlies have had some sterling players wear their colors through their 16 years since becoming an NBA team through expansion.  Some, such as Bryant Reeves and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, did not get a chance to see their Grizzlies through to their first playoff appearance.  Others, like Pau Gasol, helped guide them to what was then considered the promised land for the franchise.

Following are the best seasons that Grizzlies players have had.

10. Marc Gasol 2009-10

14.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 58.1% FG

Marc Gasol had one of the finest shooting seasons in Grizzlies history, setting a franchise record in field goal percentage in his second season.  He was fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage that season.  In three seasons, Gasol has netted three of the top four field goal percentage marks in Grizzlies history.

9. Pau Gasol 2004-05

17.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 51.4 % FG

Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies to their second trip to the playoffs in 2004-05.  Gasol came a few ticks short of his franchise record for field goal percentage.

8. Shareef Abdur-Rahim 1999-00

20.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 46.5% FG, 80.9% FT

Abdur-Rahim was the only truly strong scorer for the Grizzlies in their early years.  In 1999-00, he had his third straight season averaging 20 points per game.  They were the first three such seasons for the Grizzlies. 

7. Shareef Abdur Rahim 1997-98

22.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 48.5% FG, 78.4% FT

In 1997-98, Abdur-Rahim notched the first season of 20 points per game in Grizzlies history.  It was his first of five straight seasons averaging 20 points per game.  Also, he set still-standing franchise records for field goals attempts (653) and free throw attempts (502).

6. Rudy Gay 2007-08

20.1 PPG, 1.6 SPG, 46.1% FG, 78.5% FT

Rudy Gay began his rise with a strong sophomore campaign.  He had one of the ten best scoring seasons in Grizzlies history.  Gay set a Grizzlies record for field goals attempted (1355) and notched the second most buckets in a season (625).

5. Pau Gasol 2006-07

20.3 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.1 BPG, 53.8% FG

Gasol had one of the best shooting seasons in Grizzlies history.  He had the third best scoring season in Grizzlies history.  Also, he set blocks per game and field goal percentage records for the Grizzlies.

4. Zach Randolph 2009-10

Zach Randolph had a season to envy (as far as Grizzlies players are concerned) in his first year with the Grizzlies.  Randolph had the third best scoring season for the Grizzlies.  Also, Randolph set a rebounding record for the team.  Additionally, Randolph came within one bucket (652) of Abdur-Rahim's Grizzlies record for field goals made.

3. Shareef Abdur-Rahim 1999

23 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 46.5% FG, 84.1% FT

Abdur-Rahim had the most prolific scoring campaign in Grizzlies history, setting a franchise record for points per game.  Also, he had the best Grizzlies free-throw percentage in Grizzlies history, although O.J. Mayo would eventually claim the record in 2008-09 at 87.9 percent.

2. Pau Gasol 2003-04

17.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 48.4% FG

Gasol didn't have his best season statistically in 2003-04, but he led the Grizzlies to their first playoff berth.  If Memphis were slightly more frivolous, they would have commissioned a Pau mural to be painted around the perimeter of the city government building.

1. Zach Randolph 2010-11

20.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 50.3% FG

Randolph led the Grizzlies to their first playoff series win in franchise history last season, carrying the team after Rudy Gay went down.  Also, Randolph set a franchise record for rebounds per game.  Randolph led the league in offensive rebounds (330) and was third in rebounds per game.

Honorable Mentions

This article would not be complete without honoring the performances of Bryant "Big Country" Reeves and others.

Bryant Reeves 16.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 52.3% FG

Mike Bibby 15.2 PPG, 8.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 45.4% FG

Mike Miller 18.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.3 APG, 46% FG