The Grizzlies released a statement Wednesday mourning the death of former NBA commissioner David Stern and praising his impact on the franchise and city.

Stern, who served as commissioner from 1984 to 2014, presided over the league when the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001.

He died Wednesday from a brain hemorrhage he suffered in mid-December.

"Commissioner Stern’s support of Memphis as an NBA market and the resulting arrival of the Grizzlies franchise in 2001 forever changed the trajectory of our city," read part of the statement from the Grizzlies.

Here is a look back through the Commercial Appeal's archives at some of Stern's stops in Memphis over the years:

May 2001

Even before the Grizzlies moved, Stern came to the city amid uncertainty over whether government agencies would approve the necessary funding for a new arena the franchise had been assured.

"We're quite optimistic that they will," he said.

Stern and members of the relocation committee toured downtown Memphis on a bus and stopped for a reception with local officials at the Peabody Hotel.

"The most impressive thing to us is the united sense of community," Stern said to the group at the reception.

November 2001

Stern visited Memphis for the Grizzlies' first game in the city on Nov. 1, 2001. He addressed the fans, thanking them before the game for welcoming the NBA to town.

"You see a community," Stern said during his visit, "that sees pro sports as a way to define and redefine itself."

January 2003

Stern came to Memphis in 2003 for the inaugural MLK Jr. Celebration Day game and visited the National Civil Rights Museum while in town.

"That's an amazing place," said Stern, who later added, "And when you see the equality that being on the court allows you to evidence, it's exciting to us."

Stern became an advocate for the annual game, which the Grizzlies acknowledged in its Wednesday statement.

"His continued support in standing alongside the Grizzlies organization in its creation of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game in Memphis reflected his commitment to using the power of sport to transform lives," the statement said.

November 2005

Stern made another visit at the beginning of the 2004-05 season when FedExForum opened.

"I would say that there is not a better building in the league," Stern said.

But Stern pumped the brakes on discussion of FedExForum hosting an All-Star game, noting the need for "first-class hotel rooms" to house thousands of spectators.

December 2010

Stern made a one-day visit to Memphis, addressing the Greater Memphis Chamber's annual lunch and attending a Grizzlies victory over the Bobcats.

The Grizzlies were mired in a four-year playoff drought at the time and ticket sales were suffering as the economy and team struggled.

But Stern praised then-owner Michael Heisley and expressed optimism that the Grizzlies, who were 12-14 at the time, would rebound financially.

"I'm not worried about their ultimate funding source," Stern said. "They have an owner who is wildly supportive of this team, and he's making improvements now in marketing and sales, and I expect there to be an uptick.

"I think we're going to see a renewed emphasis on sponsorships, sponsor relationships and filling the building."

The team went on to upset the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of that season's playoffs in the first of a stretch of seven straight playoff appearances.

June 2012

Stern addressed the future of the Grizzlies in Memphis at the 2012 NBA Finals as the team prepared to undergo an ownership transition from Heisley to current owner Robert Pera.

"The best way to kill that conversation is for the team to be supported by the community," Stern said. "I'm positive that the community is going to rally around the next ownership. They've got a great building, they've got a really good team."

Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @DavidWCobb.

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