The Grizzlies now have 4 of the last 7 NBA summer league MVPs on their roster.
1. Jonas Valanciunas (2013)
2. Kyle Anderson (2015)
3. Tyus Jones (2016)
4. Brandon Clarke (2019)
Read into it what you will, but there is a trash bag next to Marc Gasol’s locker partially filled, and the number “33” above his locker is not there anymore.
“My relationship with the Grizzlies might change, but my relationship with Memphis won’t.” - Marc Gasol addressing trade rumors after shootaround this morning.
Where some see a brute, others see a bro.
Or a "Blake."
Brooks Koepka is on the cusp of winning free beer for a lot of people (and also a golf tournament)
A little surprised to see Butch Jones on the field, but gotta give him props.
It takes a real sense of commitment to ride out the last few weeks of an internship when you’ve already accepted a full-time job.
When Jared Butler announced his return to Baylor, he said, "let's go win a national championship."
Mission accomplished.
"We got the band back and we won. That's cool. Gotta make a movie out of it."
Top NBA merchandise sales in Japan this year?
1. Lakers
2. Warriors
3. Grizzlies
All thanks to Yuta Watanbe
"When I was a kid and said I wanted to be an NBA player, people laughed at me...But I am here. I made it.”
Gotta give Tyler Jenkins credit. He constructed a great gameplan for Jake Morant, Keith Anderson and Jalen Valanciunas. Bobby Clarke hitting all those 3s was also a big bonus. Tough loss, but the future is bright for these young Gryphons.
Interesting fact: In one summer league game with the Memphis Grizzlies, Grayson Allen has now amassed more technical fouls (1) than Mike Conley did in 844 games with the franchise.
Sometimes I still can't believe the 2017 Tennessee coaching search really happened. I mean Brady Hoke ACTUALLY texted John Currie in ALL CAPS expressing his interest in the job. And that was only the 27th most bizarre moment of the whole thing. That search deserves a 30 for 30.
If we're going to do the "Well if LSU wins out and wins the SEC Championship Game" bit and the "but Oregon is so much better now!" thing, then you can't fault Tennessee for trying to rack up some points -- with its 2nd-team offense in the game -- to try and win the eye test.
The two Grizzlies who walked 5 steps off the bench and then stopped get the same suspension as the guy who instigated the entire ordeal with one of the dirtiest plays you’ll see? That does not make sense.
NBA announced that Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marko Guduric have been suspended for Friday's game in New Orleans. Jae Crowder has been fined for his role in the fight.
For the Knicks. Elfrid Payton was suspended a game. Marcus Morris was fined
Pet peeve: “Lost their battle with.”
Of course cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s and other awful afflictions physically overtake their victims.
But you only “lose your battle” if you let it suck your joy and spirit.
The “battle” is won/lost in how you fight. Not if you live or die.
Doris Burke asked Marc Gasol his message to ZBo, Mike and his "brethren" in Memphis.
Marc: "Thank you. Thank you guys for making me the man and the player that I am. I'll be thankful forever."
The Grizzlies honored Mike Conley and Marc Gasol by trading them to places where they can end their careers with dignity and purpose.
Golden State could have done the same with Andre Iguodala.
Why is it the Grizzlies' problem that they didn't?
Hopefully the appreciation Texas showed Rick Barnes tonight gives some perspective to the segment of Tennessee's fan base that is increasingly disillusioned with the post-Admiral Scholfield/Grant Williams era of Vols basketball.
Thrilled to announce that, starting Nov. 5, I will be the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for the Commercial Appeal — the newspaper I grew up reading. Thank you,
@Memphisnews
, for a tremendous opportunity. It still feels surreal.
Don't expect to see Alontae Taylor back at WR anytime soon. The freshman CB balled out during today's open practice. Here's the video proof: an INT vs. Guarantano.
Grizz exec VP Zach Kleiman: "The calls that we received on No. 2 we promptly shut down."
"We knew that Ja Morant was the point guard of the future for the Memphis Grizzlies."
The Tennessee men's basketball season begins Oct. 31 with an exhibition game against Tusculum. The Vols host Louisiana on Nov. 9 to begin the regular season.
As the NBA opening day rosters became official today, so did this:
The Grizzlies are the only team in the NBA without a player born in the 1980s on their active roster.
All 13 of the active Grizzlies were born in the 1990s. Jae Crowder (born July 6, 1990) is the oldest.
**Conspiracy theory:**
The Knicks are pushing this “New Orleans is seeking the No. 2 pick” story and working out Darius Garland/Coby White to try and trick the Grizzlies into thinking Morant will still be available at No. 4, when in reality New York wants Ja Morant at No. 3.
Texas A&M coach Gary Blair with a strong message as he leaves the podium after tonight's game.
“Ya'll have a great place here. Do me a favor. Get off of Holly’s case. She’s doing a great job. How would any of you guys like to replace a legend?"
Tennessee doesn’t win an SEC home game my two years on the beat. First game after I leave? Up 17-0 at half against No. 11 Kentucky. You’re welcome, UT fans.
Elmwood Cemetery holds mayors of Memphis, governors, senators, musicians, suffragists, martyrs, generals, civil rights leaders, millionaires and ordinary citizens.
My dad falls into the last category.
But there is no one who I would rather imitate.
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek just thanked John Tyson of Tyson Foods for his role in landing John Calipari.
The fans went absolutely wild. Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried" came on in the arena.
College sports, man. Nothing like it.
Some teams who would have qualified for a 12-team CFP over the past 8 years:
Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Utah, Pittsburgh, Coastal, Indiana, Iowa State, Memphis, UCF, Miami, Western Michigan, K-State, Boise State, Arizona, TCU, Stanford, Houston, Colorado.
Halfway through the season, Jarrett Guarantano is completing 64 percent of his passes and averaging 9.03 yards per attempt.
The last Tennessee passer to complete 60% or more passes with 9+ yards per attempt for a whole season was Johnny Majors in 1956.
Went back to find Jeremy Banks’ first run from the ETSU game and quickly noticed how Trey Smith at LT cleared three people out of the way, including his own left guard Jahmir Johnson on the play. Check it out:
Murray State lost its two leading scorers in Ja Morant and Shaq Buchanan. But it bounced right back.
@RacersHoops
is 5-0 in the OVC after tonight’s win at UT-Martin.
Tevin Brown is a big-time player and Matt McMahon is a big-time coach.
Mike Conley said he was unsure if he would be traded until about 10 or 15 minutes before the deadline at which time Chris Wallace called to let him know he was staying. Mike said his reaction was blank at first but then he went to take a nap. Hadn’t slept the night before.
Thrilled to welcome
@DavidWCobb
as the newest member of our college sports team here at
@CBSSports
. David will cover college basketball and college football starting today!
Did not expect to see Jeremy Pruitt shed tears today. Don’t think you can fake that level of emotional investment. He's rightly proud of the way the Vols fought.
Marc Gasol was asked why he kissed Mike Conley after the win.
“Because I love him,” he said.
Gasol was later asked what he thought about 10-day contract player Bruno Caboclo’s effort tonight
Marc suggested he might like to kiss Bruno, too.
Houston basketball picked up Ryan Elvin during his darkest days.
With the Cougars in a bind Sunday, the walk-on returned the favor as his father watched from above.
“I knew on that free throw how many we’d shot together. I knew I was prepared.”
He may be from Alabama and he may not know where Bulls Gap is, but listening to Vol Calls is a reminder that Jeremy Pruitt speaks the language of Tennessee people and blends with this state's culture in a way that no coach has since Phillip Fulmer.
The Memphis Grizzlies could make the NBA playoffs and the Memphis Tigers could miss the NCAA Tournament.
Suggesting either of those things was remotely plausible three months ago would have been laughable.
Now they could both happen.
The play of Tyler Harris for Memphis is one of my favorite stories in college basketball this season. Bounce back transfer who returns as a walk-on -- supposed to be buried on the depth chart -- and winds up having his best college season when his teams desperately needs it.
Avery Bradley on Jaren Jackson Jr.
“He’s special, man. He’s really good. Little unfortunate tonight. He got in foul trouble. But he can help our team on both ends of the floor. I don’t think I’ve played with a big like this defensively since like KG. He’s so special.”
Can confirm the existence of JJ Peterson. The highest-rated player in Tennessee's 2018 signing class participated in his first practice today. He ran through drills with the inside linebackers.
The Internet will burn when Ja Morant finishes this one next time. The defender here is is 6-foot-7 Miles Bridges, who has a pretty good vertical jump himself.
Tennessee fifth-year senior DL Paul Bain just accomplished his dream of earning a scholarship.
Once football ends for Paul? Well, here’s the plan in his words:
As 87-75 Grizz win vs. Clippers went final, Ja Morant turned around to media row and said, “two down, baby!”
Grizzlies are 2-0 in Vegas and hungry for that summer league ‘ship
It’s true. Sunday’s Grizzlies vs. Warriors game will be my last on the beat. Exciting news coming Monday on what’s next. For now, it’s all love for the CA and my co-workers there.
You’ll probably see me in the cheap seats next week wearing a Ja jersey the rest of the season.
As Penny Hardaway stepped to the mic to accept his Memphis Sports Hall of Fame induction, he leaned down to the microphone after a nice tribute video and said “I was kind of expecting some smoke.”
The technical difficulties on Kennedy Chandler's live commitment through the SportsCenter Instagram page are so bad that Ja Morant just commented "lol mane kennedy go live wit me 😂"
@MarshallScottOK
That's a routine Q for an end-of-season presser at a P5 school that's had a disappointing year. Beyond that, you asked it in a simple and appropriate manner. If the answer was no, he would have said no.
Next time he threatens access, go FOIA the last 10 years of his email.
@GrizzliesOnFSSE
Breathe easy, Memphis -- and world at large -- Ja Morant has returned to the floor in the third quarter after his scary fall in the second.
After 7.5 years of coming back for holidays, special occasions and a few long weekends, it feels pretty wild to drive into Memphis and know that it’s home again. Can’t wait to get started covering the Grizz with
@memphisnews
tomorrow.
J.B. Bickerstaff after his team's wild 104-103 win over the Spurs that spurred the Grizzlies to sole possession of first place in the West:
"I've been saying this for about two weeks now. But this is a fun ***king place to be right now."
Grizz have won 7-of-8.
All-Star or not, this is why Mike Conley is the best. Players from North Central University wanted to meet him after practice. He’s got a bus to catch and a lot going on. But without hesitation, he obliged each request.
I want a TN state basketball tournament.
First-round byes for Memphis, UT, Vandy and Belmont.
Other 8 teams are:
UT-Martin
Austin Peay
Tennessee State
Lipscomb
MTSU
Chattanooga
TN Tech
ETSU
Everyone guaranteed three games. Knock it all out over a long weekend in Nashville.
Proof is in the pudding in this very instance. Alabama had little incentive to ever play South Alabama. The schools have met three times TOTAL. But now economics are dictating scheduling philosophy more than ever before, and it can afford some more opportunity for some mids.
After a 4-22 season, Fairleigh Dickinson announced Tobin Anderson as coach on May 3, 2022.
10.5 months later he guides the shortest team in college basketball to a win over No. 1 seed Purdue.
Here’s the story behind the history we just witnessed.