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Oddly familiar: Did the Memphis Grizzlies ripoff a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­filmmaker's idea?

While it's been nearly two decades since the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies called Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­home, B.C. fans recall the short-lived legacy with pride.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert

Kat Jayme, writer and director of the film Finding Big Country, with some of her memorabilia from the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies’ six-year run in town. Photo by Dan ToulgoetKat Jayme, writer and director of the film Finding Big Country, with some of her memorabilia from the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies’ six-year run in town. Photo by Dan Toulgoet

While it's been nearly two decades since the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies called Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­home, B.C. fans recall the short-lived legacy with pride. Of course, the team didn't win very many games, but Vancouverites loved their Grizzlies, regardless.

So, when the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they were bringing the former Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies uniforms out for select games, not everyone was thrilled. Some people feel that the uniforms were meant for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­alone, and Memphis doesn't have a strong connection to the city.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0pBKUilz3b/

Kat Jayme is a Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies superfan and director of the critically acclaimed documentary Finding Big Country. The documentary depicts her efforts to track down the forgotten legend 'Big Country' Bryant Reeves, who was also her childhood hero.

Originally from Oklahoma, Reeves spent his entire career playing for the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzles, but ended up becoming a scapegoat for much of the team’s shortcomings. He was also known for his involvement in the community, giving back to children and fans alike. When the team moved to Memphis in 2001, he retired from the sport with chronic back injuries.

Jayme's documentary premiered at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­International Film Festival (VIFF), swiftly selling out four screenings and winning the #mustseeBC and People’s Choice awards.

The Vancouver-based director reposted the Memphis Grizzlies recent #ThrowbackThursday to her Instagram account, along with a clip from her documentary, captioning, "Hey @memgrizz that looks oddly familiar..."  The clips bear a striking resemblance, as they both start with a cassette being pushed into a VCR to watch Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies' highlights.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0pH3iaheuo/

"In terms of the video, I can’t say for sure.. but as the saying goes “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," Jayme told Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­.

"In terms of the jersey, I’m not a fan. I’m glad the grizzlies are part of the conversation but those are our VANCOUVER jerseys that were inspired by the land and the people. (The indigenous trim for example). I want to bring back the grizzlies back, too."

As Jayme points out, the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Grizzlies' uniforms were inspired by British Columbia and the people that reside there. And, as a short scroll through the comments on the Memphis Grizzlies' latest posts will attest, many Vancouverites feel ripped off. Further, the word Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­never appears on any of these 'throwback' items.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0pNJf0FS9O/

The Memphis Grizzlies are set to don the 'Vancouver-inspired' uniforms for their 25th season this fall.

Watch Finding Big Country on Amazon Prime .