VIDEO: Jalen Rose thinks Tony Allen deserves a Pulitzer Prize

What’s the difference between an Academy Award and a Pulitzer Prize? Don’t ask ESPN analyst Jalen Rose.

Rose thinks Tony Allen deserves a Pulitzer for his acting performance following a legit flagrant foul in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

Watch Jalen Rose’s “Pulitzer Prize worthy” analysis at the 2:23 mark:

Is it too early to start campaigning for Rose to be next year’s Oscars host?

Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito

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Al Kapone to perform a ‘Whoop That Trick’ Show in Cooper-Young

If you were not one of the lucky 18,119 Memphians in attendance for Game 3 of the Grizzlies-Thunder series, you now have another opportunity to sing “Whoop That Trick” along with the song’s writer and producer Al Kapone.  Midtown’s Young Avenue Deli is hosting a (first ever?) “Whoop That Trick!” Party on Friday, May 24 at 9:00 pm.

Here is the official flyer:

Whoop That Trick Party

Al Kapone is also also selling “Whoop That Trick” t-shirts at the website www.whoopthattrick.com:

Whoop White

 

Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito

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MSL Interview: Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler explains his lack of appearances during the Grizzlies playoffs

King and Clippers fan

Jerry “The King” Lawler joined Kevin Cerrito and Marcus Hunter  on MSL to talk about why he hasn’t been at any Grizzlies playoff games recently and much more.

AUDIO:

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Click here to download the Jerry “The King” Lawler interview from the May 18, 2013 MSL

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Click here for more MSL interviews.

MemphiSport Live

Kevin Cerrito and Marcus Hunter host MemphiSport Live (MSL) on Sports 56 & 87.7 FM every Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. MSL was voted 3rd Best Sports Radio Show in the 2010, 2011 & 2012 Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis poll.

Follow the MSL hosts on Twitter @cerrito & @MHUNTER_FOX13

 

Photos: Grizzlies fans at Memphis in May BBQ Fest

Memphis in May’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is always the Bluff City’s biggest party of the year, and it only gets bigger when the Grizzlies are still alive in the NBA Playoffs.

This year’s BBQ Fest included a series clinching Game 5 road win against the Thunder on Friends and Family Night, followed by three straight days of celebrating the Grizzlies advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.

Here are the best social media pictures of Grizzlies fans at Tom Lee Park for BBQ Fest 2013:


Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito

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Grizzlies players weigh in on state of franchise since team traded Rudy Gay

The Grizzlies returned to work Friday afternoon for the first time since eliminating the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and punching their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

THE DEBATE CONTINUES --- Rudy Gay (right) spent six-plus seasons in Memphis after leaving UConn in 2006. Since his trade to Toronto on January 30, there has been much debates as to whether the Grizzlies have become a better team since dealing their franchise player. (Photo by Chris Evans)

THE DEBATE CONTINUES — Rudy Gay (right) spent six-plus seasons in Memphis after leaving UConn in 2006. Since his trade to Toronto on January 30, there has been ongoing debates as to whether the Grizzlies have become a better team since dealing their franchise player. (Photo by Chris Evans)

Still, despite all of the hoopla and the national buzz this small-market franchise has created this postseason, it seems that one proverbial topic continues to re-surface as Memphis prepares to take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their best-of-7 series Sunday at 2:30 p.m. CST in the AT&T Center.

That is, are the Grizzlies a better team since trading franchise player Rudy Gay?

“We definitely are a better team,” said Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, who has become Memphis’ leading scorer since the team dealt Gay. “This team is more together. We understand. Our confidence is up. We play for one another, so we’re definitely a better team.”

That certainly didn’t appear to be the case after the Grizzlies, Raptors, and Pistons agreed to a six-player trade on January 30 that sent the star swingman to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Ed Davis, Austin Daye, and Tayshaun Prince.

For some, trading Gay was befitting, considering the seven-year veteran, at least at the time, wasn’t performing like a player who signed a five-year extension with Memphis worth a reported $82 million in July 2010. For others, they sensed that moving Gay after the team had gotten below the dreaded luxury tax threshold — after sending reserves Marresse Speights, Josh Selby, Wayne Ellington to Cleveland eight days earlier — wasn’t consummate, given Memphis was deemed a legitimate title contender before the start of the season.

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, for instance, was among those who felt team officials’ decision to trade Gay was a questionable move. And, after a January 15 shootaround in FedExForum, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who’s close friends with Gay, said “the Grizzlies would be crazy” for trading the former UConn star.

What a difference three-and-half months have made.

That’s because all the new-look Grizzlies have done since Gay’s exodus was emerge as arguably the hottest and most efficient team in the NBA, let alone pose as a serious threat to dethrone the Miami Heat in the coming weeks. Add to the fact that the Grizzlies have generated the league’s third-best record (34-14) since trading Gay and ousted two title contenders (the Clippers and Thunder) in eloquent fashion, and it’s no wonder why seasoned Grizzlies such as Randolph and Mike Conley don’t shy away from weighing in on a subject they believe is an afterthought at this stage in the season.

“We’re happy to be here.” Conley said of Memphis’ historical run to the conference finals. “But we’re focused on bigger things. You’ve

Among the reasons the Grizzlies have enjoyed success since trading Gay is that veteran shooting guard Tony Allen (right) has led a Memphis team that is considered among the NBA's best defensive squads. Allen was named to the NBA's All-Defensive first team last week. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Among the reasons the Grizzlies have enjoyed success since trading Gay is that veteran shooting guard Tony Allen (right) has led a Memphis team that is considered among the NBA’s best defensive squads. Allen was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive first team last week. (Photo by Justin Ford)

got to have a vision. And even with Rudy being gone, it might have altered the vision a little bit, might have been a little bit tougher on guys to do it, but the vision stays the same. I still believed (after the trade) that we had a chance. I still believed that if certain guys step up, that we could be just as good, that we could be a good team.”

While Hollins publicly acknowledged he wasn’t in favor of the Grizzlies bargaining Gay, he said among the things he appreciates mostly about his team is the camaraderie his players have established in the aftermath of the trade, a key characteristic he feels has benefited the Grizzlies immensely in the playoffs.

“Well, that’s why they pay me the big bucks,” Hollins jokingly said. “That’s the hardest part of coaching…motivating, getting them to accept their roles, getting them to play together. You do those three things and you got talent, you have a good chance of winning. It’s a difficult proposition. There’s a lot of ways to go about it. I’m not going to tell you how I go about it because it’s not good for TV.”

The Grizzlies, appearing in the conference finals for the first time since the team’s inception in 1995 (Vancouver), have certainly been must-see TV this postseason, a trend this town has relished since Gay — whom many labeled an ambassador for the city of Memphis during his stint here — was sent north of the border.

As for whether Memphis is better off since trading Gay, it’s safe to assume the longest-tenured Grizzly is being careful to use his words wisely.

“I think it’s a different team without Rudy,” Conley said.

With a straight face.

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.

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10 Artists Who Should Sing The National Anthem At Upcoming Grizzlies Playoff Games

Photo by Justin Ford

Photo by Justin Ford

For the first time in franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies have advanced to the Western Conference Finals (Now only four franchises in the NBA have never made it to a Conference Final).

With their victory over the Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Grizzlies revenge tour is complete.  In this year’s playoff run, Memphis has eliminated both of the teams that eliminated them in the past two postseasons.

It is hard to believe Memphis has made it within four wins of the NBA Finals, especially with the questions surrounding the team throughout the year.  Like, what should be done to get the franchise under the salary cap? Should Memphis trade Zach Randolph (few things seem funnier than this notion now) or should they trade Rudy Gay (this is one of those things)?  Will Mike Conley ever emerge as an elite point guard? What does grit and grind even mean?

These questions, and more, have been answered with the Grizzlies stellar play this postseason.  However, one pressing question remains…

With the Grizzlies advancing and getting a chance to host at least two more home playoff games (possibly six if they advance to the Finals), who should the fine people at FedExForum get to perform “The Star Spangled Banner”?

Some famous people who have already sang the national anthem at a Grizzlies playoff game over the past few years include: Al Green, Ruby Wilson, Zach Myers, The Voice’s Patrick Dodd, Grizzlies PA announcer Rick Trotter

After having an interactive discussion on MSL with many Grizzlies fans, a list has been compiled.

Here is a list of possible national anthem singers the Grizzlies should consider:

1.       Justin Timberlake (Get Andy Samberg there and have  “Grizz in a Box” performed at halftime too)

2.       Jerry Lee Lewis

3.       Lisa Marie Presley

4.       B.B. King (and Lucille)

5.       Hologram Elvis

6.       Star and Micey (The city’s No. 3 band performing for the Western Conference’s No. 1 team)

7.       Amy Lavere

8.       Alexis Grace

9.       Muck Sticky (He wants to do it)

10.     Cybill Shepard

CJ Hurt covers NBA basketball for MemphiSport. Follow him @churtj09 for live tweets from games.

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Grizzlies-Spurs 2013 Western Conference Finals Schedule

WCF LogoThe Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs will meet in the 2012-13  NBA Western Conference Finals. All games in the WCF will air either on ABC or ESPN. Here is the schedule:

Game 1: Sun, May 19 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.  2:30 CDT tip (ABC)

Game 2: Tues, May 21 at AT&T Center in San Antonio. 8:00PM CDT tip (ESPN)

Game 3: Sat, May 25 at FedExForum in Memphis. 8:00 PM CDT tip (ESPN)

Game 4:  Mon, May 27 at FedExForum in Memphis. 8:00 PM CDT tip (ESPN)

*Game 5:  Wed, May 29 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.  8:00 PM CDT tip (ESPN)

*Game 6 : Fri, May 31 at FedExForum in Memphis. 8:00 PM CDT tip (ESPN)

*Game 7 :  Sun, June 2 at AT&T Center in San Antonio. 8:00 PM CDT tip (ESPN)

* = if necessary

Get daily updates on what channel all Memphis games are on by following @MemphisOnTV.

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Lionel Hollins hints Grizzlies mirror 1977 Portland Trail Blazers championship squad

EARNING RESPECT --- Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince soars for two of his eight points in Monday night's 103-97 come-from-behind win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis closed out the best-of-7 series Wednesday to advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. (Photo by Justin Ford)

EARNING RESPECT — Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince soars for two of his eight points in Monday night’s 103-97 come-from-behind win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis closed out the best-of-7 series Wednesday to advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Lionel Hollins’ second year with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1976-77 is one in which he will forever cherish.

Coached by Hall of Famer Jack Ramsay, the Trail Blazers finished the regular season 49-33, a run that was comprised of a memorable postseason run and ended with the franchise’s first world championship after Portland’s defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the NBA Finals.

As Hollins found himself on Thursday harking back on the memories of his second professional season, the Grizzlies coach was ultimately brought to smiles. Hollins, in fact, hinted at the notion that he likens the Grizzlies to the Blazers’ championship team of the late 1970s, a squad that, like his Memphis team that advanced to its first Western Conference finals in franchise history Wednesday night after eliminating the Oklahoma City Thunder, had to endure a cohesive mending process.

“I go back to when I came here in (2001) and then when I took over five years ago,” Hollins said. “The stands were empty. Nobody was talking about the Grizzlies. You didn’t see any Grizz apparel around town. Now you see flags on cars. You see posters in the windows of office buildings. You see signs up on office buildings. It’s wonderful. And as I told the team, we have to create the excitement. We create the excitement by going out and playing a brand of basketball they like to see. And when you do, the fans will definitely come out and take a part in it and embrace it.”

While the Grizzlies’ masterful display in recent weeks has made securing playoff tickets virtually hard to come by — there have been 14 consecutive postseason sellouts in FedExForum — and created a buzz throughout city that has been crippled by segregation since the 1960s, there are some who sense that Memphis’ historical run to the conference finals is erroneous, considering the Grizzlies emerged as favorites to beat the top-seeded Thunder after Russell Westbrook sustained a season-ending knee injury in Game 2 of the playoffs’ opening-round.

“Miami is the best team in the league,” ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd said Thursday on Mike And Mike In The Morning. “I don’t buy

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins on Thursday hinted with reporters that this year's Memphis team reminds him of the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers team that won the NBA championship. Hollins played for Portland from 1975-1980. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins on Thursday hinted that this year’s Memphis team reminds him of the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers team that won the NBA championship. Hollins played for Portland from 1975-1980. (Photo by Justin Ford)

into any of the teams in the West, the Spurs or Memphis. Memphis wouldn’t be here if not for injury to Russell Westbrook.”

Hollins discredited Cowherd’s comments, going as far as to compare the Grizzlies’ success to other teams who enjoyed lengthy postseason runs following the injuries to marquee players.

“If that’s the case, the Lakers’ series was flawed when Isaiah Thomas hurt his ankle and the Lakers won (NBA title in 1988),” Hollins said. “The Pistons have to say their championship (in 1989) was flawed because Magic (Johnson) and Byron Scott went down before the series started when both went down with hamstring injuries. Every year, every playoff, somebody gets hurt or doesn’t play as well as we expect them to, and you have to live with that, not being successful. And the winner, it doesn’t really matter.”

What’s essential in the meantime as the Grizzlies await the Golden State-San Antonio winner, Hollins said, is to ensure his players rejuvenate for the conference finals and, most importantly, refrain from becoming caught up in all the hoopla and national media attention they have acquired in recent weeks.

“I told them to stay focused,” Hollins said. “I told them, ‘You were the same person before they knew. You were the same team before they knew. So don’t get caught into what they’re saying.’”

Especially since they have proven on a national stage to be a team that’s destined to chase more history.

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.

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VIDEO: Grizzlies fans welcome Z-Bo back to Memphis after advancing to the Western Conference Finals

Following their historic series clinching win over the Thunder in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs, Grizzlies fans gathered at Wilson Air in the 2:00 am hour to welcome home their favorite players.

Watch fans welcome Zach Randolph back to Memphis with a “We Don’t Bluff” as he stops to say hello in his white SUV:

(via April4Life)

Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt and other celebs react to the Grizzlies moving on to the Western Conference Finals

 

Photo by Justin Ford

Photo by Justin Ford

Here are what some famous people had to say on Twitter after the Memphis Grizzlies made history and advanced to the Western Conference Finals:

(For photos of Lil Wayne at Game 3,  click here.)

(For photos of celebrities at Game 4, click here)

Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito

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