The Grizzlies haven't played in Vancouver for over 20 years now. The former Canadian NBA team had a short time in British Columbia, ultimately getting sold in 2001 and moved to Memphis.
The blame for the failure of the franchise in Vancouver can be put on a number of different factors, and that's exactly what Canadian filmmaker Kat Jayme is trying to decipher in her latest documentary, "The Grizzlie Truth".
The doc takes viewers behind the scenes of the Grizzlies franchise during its time in Vancouver. She interviews a multitude of figures that were in and around the organization when the team first was announced as an expansion franchise, and up until its sudden relocation.
Those in the doc include former Grizzlies Bryant Reeves, Mike Bibby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, SuperSonics star Shawn Kemp, former Grizzlies GM Stu Jackson and Steve Francis, who was drafted No. 2 overall by Vancouver in 1999, but refused to play for the team.
This is the second documentary from Jayme that focuses on Vancouver. She previously released a doc in 2018 titled "Finding Big Country" which detailed the whereabouts of former Grizzlies player Bryant "Big Country" Reeves after his retirement.
Here is what you need to know to watch "The Grizzlie Truth".
Where to watch "The Grizzlie Truth"
"The Grizzlie Truth" is beginning its screenings this week. There will be showings of the doc in December in multiple locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
The first showings of the documentary are set to start on Dec. 9. Here is a list of all of the showings and venues to watch "The Grizzlie Truth".
| Dates | City | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 12 | Toronto, Ont. | Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema |
| Dec. 9-15 | Whitby, Ont. | Landmark Cinemas 24 Whitby |
| Dec. 9-15 | Kanata, Ont. | Landmark Cinemas |
| Dec. 9-10, Dec. 13 | Ottawa, Ont. | Cineplex Odeon South Keys Cinemas |
| Dec. 9-12, Dec. 14-17, Dec. 19 | Vancouver, B.C. | VIFF Centre |
| Dec. 9-10, Dec. 13 | Langley, B.C. | Cineplex Cinemas Langley |
| Dec. 9-10, Dec. 13 | Richmond, B.C. | SilverCity Riverport Cinemas |
| Dec. 9-15 | New Westminster, B.C. | Landmark Cinemas New Westminster |
| Dec. 9-10 | Calgary | Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas |
| Dec. 9-10, Dec. 13 | Edmonton | Cineplex Odeon South Edmonton Cinemas |
| Dec. 9-10, Dec. 13 | Winnipeg, Man. | Cineplex Odeon McGillivray Cinemas and VIP |
How to watch, live stream "The Grizzlie Truth" on TV
There has yet to be any information announced on if/when the documentary will be airing on TV, or if there is a way for people to stream it.
As of now, the only way to view "The Grizzlie Truth" is to attend a showing.
