Memphis Grizzlies: 25 Best To Play For The Grizzlies
By Phil Watson
![Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; General view of towels on the seats prior to the San Antonio Spurs at the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/df6c199875b003df9a4ce6ed6e3d224c5f0828126646eb4f84e0e2408d62a043.jpg)
player. 211. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic, Aug. 27, 1999.. PF-C. 1999-2001. Othella Harrington. 24
The Vancouver Grizzlies had drafted Maryland’s Steve Francis with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft just weeks after taking the job and it couldn’t have turned out worse.
Francis refused to sign with Vancouver and Knight eventually had to unload the rights to Francis along with forward Tony Massenburg to the Houston Rockets in August 1999 as part of a three-team deal.
to Orlando.
While Francis was sharing Rookie of the Year honors in Houston, Harrington had a solid debut season for the Grizzlies, starting all 82 games at power forward and averaging 13 points and nearly seven rebounds a game.
Moved to the center spot the following season, his numbers fell off and in January 2001, Harrintgon was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Erick Strickland and first- and second-round picks in the 2001 draft.
In parts of two seasons in Vancouver, Harrington averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game while shooting .493/0-for-5/.788.
A former McDonald’s All American, Harrington’s number declined each year he was at Georgetown and he wound up falling to the Rockets in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft.
In August 2004, Harrington was traded to the Chicago Bulls and played two seasons there before being waived in July 2006.
He signed with the Charlotte Bobcats 12 days after his release and played two seasons there before the Bobcats declined his option for 2008-09. He played briefly in the D-League that season and spent the 2009-10 playing in Iran before retiring.
He has been an assistant coach at Georgetown since 2011.
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