Greatest Memphis Grizzlies of All-Time: Michael Dickerson

One of the Memphis Grizzlies’ biggest ‘What-If’ players, sharpshooter Michael Dickerson is #17 on Beale Street Bears’ Greatest Grizzlies countdown.

Michael Dickerson’s NBA tale is a tragic one; cut down by injury as he entered his prime.

It’s also one of irony. He was a potent long-range threat; a lack thereof became the Grizzlies’ perpetual weakness as they entered their own prime.

Many of today’s fans might have no clue who Dickerson was. After all, almost two decades have passed since his heyday. Even then, he was a standout for the irrelevant Vancouver Grizzlies during their equally-brief NBA tenure.

Here’s a brief reminder:

Dickerson was a high-IQ gunner with a quick first step. He parlayed a combination of his stretch threat and athletic stride as Vancouver’s secondary offensive option behind Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Originally drafted 14th overall by the Rockets in 1998, Dickerson was sent to Vancouver after Steve Francis infamously held out from the franchise a year later. There, he was reunited in a backcourt with Mike Bibby; the two helped lead Arizona to an NCAA Championship in 1997.

Dickerson blossomed his first season in Vancouver; his 18.2 ppg mark was the most ever by a Vancouver Grizzly not named Shareef. He was very much the anti-JR Smith; a composed attacker who played within the flow of the offense, finding ways to contribute even on off nights.

He continued to show out as a potent wing scorer the following season; proving himself to be more than just a flash in the pan on a team few took seriously. But unfortunately for both Dickerson and the Grizzlies, his health was not of the same nature.

Dickerson’s demise coincided almost perfectly with the Grizzlies’ arrival in Memphis. His first season in Memphis was ended by a groin injury just four games into 2001-02. A year later, his comeback was derailed yet again by an abdominal strain and sports hernia.

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After just ten games in a Memphis uniform, Dickerson’s body had betrayed him to the point of a forced retirement. He was merely 27; just entering a typical NBA player’s prime.

His overall impact is thus graded on a bit of a curve. He only spent two full seasons with the Grizzlies, but showed enough promise to be legitimately mourned. Little more than a walking “Where Are They Now?” piece, he would have played a crucial role in Memphis’ development.

Let the record show that only Mike Miller ranks ahead of him on both the Grizzlies’ all-time threes and 3PT% lists. Coming years before of the #GNG era, Dickerson’s talents would elude the team during its most pivotal stretch as playoff contenders.

Over the years, true heads and Canadian fans haven’t forgotten Dickerson’s impact. Had his health not gone south as soon as the Grizzlies did, he would surely be much higher than #17 on this list.