Greatest Memphis Grizzlies Of All-Time: Lorenzen Wright

Former Memphis Grizzlies Forward Lorenzen Wright was all heart, and fully dedicated to the city of Memphis. Wright comes in at number 13 on our All-Time list.

While the national crowd has an image of Lorenzen Wright, Memphians would like to focus on the man that stole their heart in his five seasons in Memphis. If you talk to any Grizzlies fan, they would tell you that Wright was way before his time.

Wright, in his five seasons was the definition of “play for the name on the front of the jersey than the one on the back.” Wright was all-heart, all Memphis during his time in the 901, and his play on the court throughout the five seasons gave Wright the complete package that Memphians’ had been waiting for.

That is because they had seen Wright play for the University of Memphis for two seasons before heading off to the NBA. In his time at the University of Memphis, Wright averaged over 15 points per game, and played almost 35 minutes a game. Again, Wright was all-heart, and loved the game of basketball. Eventually that love for the game of basketball, and Memphis came together to form a beautiful relationship.

Following his time at the University of Memphis, Wright was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers, and spent his first three NBA seasons there. Following his time with the Clippers, Wright then spent two seasons in Atlanta with the Hawks a team he had dream about playing with.

Following those two seasons in Atlanta,  Wright signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2001 offseason. Wright settled down in Memphis, and discovered what many hadn’t that came before him – that Memphis was home.

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A home that Wright would eventually fall in love with. He bought his home, when many players rent out homes, and put his babies into the local schools. Wright wanted to make Memphis home, and the city welcomed him, and his family with open arms.

Wright was a fan favorite from the moment he opened his mouth with that great smile. Everyone loved, and still loves him to this day. Although Wright is not with us anymore, his memory on and off the court can be summarized with that smile.

Wright was always smiling on and off the court. Reading to local children, donating a lot of his off the court time to the city of Memphis and staying late after games to sign kids autographs. He always let the fans know how appreciative he was of their support of himself and the team. His love for the city, and its love for him make me wish I was older back then to truly appreciate Wright during that time.

However Wright was not always nice however, for his opponents, Wright was their worst nightmare, yet another reason Memphis loved Lorenzen. Wright loved wearing his opponents down throughout a game, getting put back jams, and And-1’s. My favorite part of Wrights’ game had to be his heart for the game every night. Fans never were left wondering if Wright would show up and be vocal through his play. Wright was a consistent pest to his opponents, a weapon for the Grizzlies.

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Wright was never the best basketball player on the floor every night, but he’d make the other teams best player WORK to be great. Wright’s on the floor game can be characterized as “Hustle,” and “All-Heart.”

His numbers were never crazy, and he was never doing the most, but he was doing what the team needed, and fit his role in Memphis for those five seasons beautifully.

Although Wright is no longer with us, his memory is stronger than ever, and would be much needed right about now in more ways than one. His gritty on-court nature, his caring and lovable attitude off the court are Lorenzen Wright comes in at number 13 on our Grizzlies All-Time list!