I have been frequenting Memphis, Tennessee now for decades. If you think you know Memphis, you likely do not know Memphis at all. Memphis is the cradle of true American culture – best known for the Blues and also the birthplace of Rock and Roll.
There’s a certain charm about the place – a survival spirit that keeps the city thriving. As one Memphian said to me, “Two steps forward. One step backwards…” about his beloved Memphis. There are bright spots that make you want to stay and negatives that make you wonder why you like the city so much.
Memphis is its people – an underdog spirit that keeps Memphians forging ahead despite the odds. My son, Brendan (Bubba), having grown up in West Tennessee, has embraced Memphis and called the area home since his birth in 1995.
He’s passionate about Memphis.
I believe what drew Brendan to Memphis was sports – The Grizzlies basketball team – which has had his support for more than two decades. He is also loyal to The Tennessee Titans 180 miles away in Nashville.
Both a sport writer and enthusiast, Bubba can tell you in great detail what the team and the city are all about. He has never wavered from his loyalty. Memphis seems an unlikely metropolis for a team known as The Grizzlies. To understand the name, you have to know the team’s history. Founded in 1995, the year of my son’s birth, The Grizzlies originated in Vancouver, B.C. Canada before moving to Memphis in 2001. They play at the FedEx Forum, an all-encompassing state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Memphis one block from legendary Beale Street.
Brendan came up with a wonderful idea. Because the grandbabies were on spring break the week of my 70th birthday, I decided to fly to Tennessee for their time off. Brendan invited me to The Grizzlies vs Nuggets game on March 18th. I drove over to Covington just north of Memphis and rode down to the Forum with him for a closer look at the underdog Grizzlies. The odds were against The Grizzlies that evening.
Real Memphis BBQ at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale.
The NBA explains the game.
“Ty Jerome had 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Memphis Grizzlies snapped their eight-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 125-118 victory over the Denver Nuggets.”
“Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 19 points and GG Jackson added 16 for the injury-depleted Grizzlies (24-44), who are 4-15 in their last 19 games after winning for the first time since March 1 at Indiana.”
“Cedric Coward provided 15 points and seven rebounds. Taylor Hendricks scored 13 off the bench and made six of Memphis’ 12 steals as the Nuggets (42-28) committed 19 turnovers in the makeup of a game postponed Jan. 25 because of bad weather.”
“Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists for Denver, just missing his sixth triple-double in the past eight games – although he did rack up 10 turnovers.”
“Christian Braun scored 26 points and Cameron Johnson added 20. Jamal Murray had 19 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.”
“Denver remained percentage points behind Houston for fifth place in the Western Conference and fell a game behind fourth-place Minnesota.”
“On the second night of a back-to-back for the Nuggets, forward Aaron Gordon sat out to manage a hamstring injury. Denver beat Philadelphia 124-96 at home Tuesday night.”
“Jerome just missed his first career triple-double. He and Jackson sat out Monday night’s 132-107 loss in Chicago due to injuries.“
In the end in a very tight neck and neck nailbiter, the Grizzlies beat the Nuggets 125-118. The best part of the evening was sharing time with my son. Our evening began at B.B. King’s Blues Club for fine dining in true Memphis BBQ style. The best part of the experience was watching people taking in the city and its hot spots.
An incredible evening spent in Memphis taking in the Grizzlies/Nuggets game, with the Grizzlies taking the win at 125/118.
I think what made the evening magical was the time spent with Brendan in his element. A young man who has played basketball aggressively, Brendan knew the game and the strategy. He walked me through it. Sitting next to me, he was better than the game’s announcer. As the game rolled on, with the manic emotion of highs and lows, the energy on the court was remarkable. The Grizzles never fell far behind and always pulled out. It was neck and neck through the fourth quarter.
Bubba – Thank You for one of the most memorable evenings I’ve ever spent.
Boomer Journey... 
Memphis has a lot of Austin about it. What some would say lotsa hat, not much cattle. It has its charm, most of it not quire as authentic as the neon proclaiming it. I ate at a McD’s in Memphis where Cybill Shepherd (sp) had signed the sidewalk, finger in concrete style. South of Memphis, in the poorest rural parts of Mississippi is where it gets authentic. Memphis, personal opinion, like Nashville and Austin, has made a tourist trap out of a musical genre they neither birthed nor bred. Elvis’ big house the Hallmark moment of excess. Not that rock n roll isn’t prone to that sort of thing, but like House of Blues, it’s a trophy case, not a reality. But the barbecue? Might be better on a 2 lane thirty miles in any direction, but it’s damn fine. Don’t mind me – I was in the biz for far too long not to be a cynic about neon lights and show bands.
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