Here are the best social media pictures featuring some of the famous people in attendance at The Grindhouse to see Game 3 of the Memphis Grizzlies vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder:
(For more Lil Wayne Game 3 photos click here.)
(To watch Al Kapone perform ‘Whoop That Trick’ at Game 3 click here.)
Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito
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Here are pics of Lil Wayne in Memphis at Game 3 of the Grizzlies-Thunder series.
(For more photos of other celebrities at Game 3, click here)
Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito
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The Grizzlies and Thunder will meet in the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs for the 2nd time in three years. Here is the schedule:
Game 1: Sun, May 5 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC. Noon CDT tip (ABC)
Game 2: Tues, May 7 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC. 8:30PM CDT tip (TNT)
Game 3: Sat, May 11 at FedExForum in Memphis. 4:00 PM CDT tip (ESPN)
Game 4: Mon, May 13 at FedExForum in Memphis. 8:30 PM CDT tip (TNT)
Game 5: Wed, May 15 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC. 8:30 PM CDT tip (TNT)
*Game 6 : Fri, May 17 at FedExForum in Memphis. TBD (ESPN)
*Game 7 : Sun, May 19 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC. TBD (TBD)
* = if necessary
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A must win Game 3 saw Memphis come out in desperate fashion to ensure that this first round playoff series would not result in a sweep. So far neither team has been able to steal a game on the road, which is a good thing for the Grizzlies going into Game 4 in FedExForum. The Grizzlies are 32-9 at home this season, proving that The Grindhouse is one of the most difficult places for opposing teams to win in the NBA.
A big game four from Darrell Arthur, off the bench, will go a long way in helping Memphis ensure the series will return to the Grindhouse for a pivotal game six.
(Photo by Justin Ford)
The last thing Memphis wants to do is go back to Staples Center down 3-1. A Game 4 loss would mean the Grizzlies would have to win twice in L.A. where they are just 2-8 against the Clippers the past two seasons including the playoffs (1-4 against the Clippers on the road in the playoffs).
Game 4 is another must win game for Memphis, and here is a look at 5 Things the Grizzlies must do to even this series up:
1). Contain Chris Paul
This is a feat that is easier said than done. After all, CP3 is a four time All-NBA selection, and capable of taking over a game during pivotal stretches (like he did in Game 2). However, Memphis showed in Game 3 that it is not impossible to slow down the six time All Star. He was averaging 19.2 points and 8.4 assists in five games against the Memphis this year, but he was held to just eight points and four assists in the Grizzlies Game 3 victory. It was the first time this year Memphis held Paul to single digit points, and rendered him ineffective for most of the contest. There were multiple defenders around him all night long, which disrupted the Clippers pick and roll offense (something that they were able to run extremely well in the first two games of the series). If the Grizzlies plan to even the series, slowing down Paul has to be at the top of their to do list.
2). Win the battle in the paint
No surprises here, especially considering Memphis is 0-3 against the Clippers this season when L.A. outscores the Grizzlies in the paint. Memphis is shooting a woeful 28.3 percent from behind the arc, and 43.5 percent from the field in this playoff series, which makes getting good shots from in the lane all the more important. In Game 3, the Grizz did a great job of dominating the paint, outscoring the Clippers by 14 points in that category. They were led by Zach Randolph who finished the game with 27 points and 11 rebounds, for his first double-double of the series.
3). Get quality minutes from the bench
The much maligned Memphis bench got a boost from Quincy Pondexter in Game 3, and they will need to replicate their overall effort to beat L.A. in Game 4. The Clippers have one of the best benches in the league, and outscoring them is not something that happens too often. However, nobody is asking the Grizzlies bench players to do that. The only thing they need to do is give Coach Hollins quality and mistake free minutes, so that the starters can rest and be ready for the inevitable late game push.
4). Continue feeding Zach Randolph
It is simple, he is the All-Star on the team, and the most dangerous scorer on the team, so your best option is to make sure he gets plenty of touches. Z-Bo had 18 field goal attempts in game three after having just 20 combined in games one and two. He has been extremely efficient in the series and is shooting 53 percent from the field, which is all the more reason to get him the ball in scoring position. Randolph has to do his part also and create scoring opportunities for himself in the form of offensive rebounds (He had six Thursday after having four combined in the first two games of the series). Another big game from Randolph would certainly improve the probability this series goes back to L.A. nodded up at two games apiece.
5). Hold the Clippers under 90 points
Memphis had the best defense in the NBA this season, allowing opponents to average just 89.3 points per game. However, L.A. is averaging just under 95 points per game against Memphis this year, which is well over the Grizzlies season average. In fact, the seven times these two teams have met this year, the Grizzlies have allowed the Clippers to score more than 90 points five times. All of these times have resulted in losses for Memphis (subsequently Memphis held the Clippers under 90 points in both of their victories this season). Holding the Clippers under 90 points means that the Grizzlies are controlling the tempo by not turning the ball over, securing rebounds (both offensive and defensive), and not giving up easy buckets in transition.
CJ Hurt covers NBA basketball for MemphiSport. Follow him @churtj09 for live tweets from games.
SEE ALSO:
Following the Memphis Grizzlies’ 94-82 Game 3 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, former NBA player and current TNT announcer Steve Kerr decided to let everyone in the world know he does not like how Grizzlies PA announcer Rick Trotter does his job.
Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito
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How Memphians should feel about the Clippers and Chris Paul.
I am a Memphian. I am a Grizzlies fan.
Those two statements go together as naturally as any two phrases in the English language.
The following phrases do not go together:
I am a Memphian. I am a Thunder fan.
I am a Memphian. I am a Heat fan.
I am a Memphian. I am a Lakers fan.
I am a Memphian. I am a Clippers fan.
Unfortunately those statements are heard, and more importantly seen, all too often in Memphis and at FedExForum.
Since Memphis is a small-market city with a relatively young NBA franchise, we often fall prey to our own citizens swearing allegiance to other, flashier, more superstar-laden teams. And you know something? It’s pathetic.
With the NBA Playoffs upon us, let’s take a second to look at those teams that load their bandwagons with hundreds of our city’s residents and rank their despicableness. You might disagree with the order, but we can all agree that this is Memphis and the Grizzlies should be the only team we love.
Note: If you are from a city that features another NBA team or have traveled to see your favorite team play here, you get a pass. The following is directed at Memphians.
Honorable Mention: The Oklahoma City Thunder
Out of all the teams listed above, a Memphian being a fan of the Thunder should be the least offensive because the Thunder are what the Grizzlies could be if things had shaken out just a smidge differently in terms of drafts, signings, and money management.
Like the Grizz, OKC is a young franchise that was uprooted from the Northwest and moved to a small city by pro sports standards, but they are one that has seen immense success in a small amount of time. Through some good fortune they got the rights to draft a superstar in Kevin Durant. Through more good fortune and savvy drafting acumen they got the rights to take another superstar in Russell Westbrook. Then, through even more good fortune they got the rights to pick a third superstar in James Harden (after Memphis took Hasheem “The Bad Dream” Thabeet no less) and Serge Ibaka. In those drafts, the Grizzlies got Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo, and the aforementioned Bad Dream. One of those players has worked out well for the Grizz, but Conley is still not a superstar. However, all of the Thunder draftees have panned out better than anyone could have imagined. And to top it off, they managed to make great financial decisions to keep multiple superstars on their team for the foreseeable future without compromising the quality of their role players.
To say the Thunder front office is smart would be an understatement. General Manager Sam Presti is a genius, albeit a pretty lucky one, but one nonetheless. He has made incredible picks, great signings, great trades, and wise financial decisions. The once in a lifetime luck of getting Durant and Westbrook (who are both still so young) mixed with Presti’s front office smarts (See the James Harden trade) will keep the Thunder relevant and contending for championships for a long, long time.
Yes, the seven game playoff series with the Thunder in 2011 was brutal and heartbreaking. Yes, Grizzlies fans should be crazy jealous of how much success they have seen in such a small amount of time. Yes, it hurts to see people show up at The Grindhouse, and cheer on the Thunder. But are they the worst of the bandwagon fans? No.
Hopefully one day we can build a juggernaut like they have.
Disclaimer: My wife is from OKC. Putting a positive spin on the Thunder was necessary for my marriage’s sake.
Now, the real list of the Most Despicable Bandwagon NBA Fans in Memphis:
3) The Miami Heat
Being a fan of the Heat would have been excusable when Memphis didn’t have a team. In the 1990s, they were an upstart franchise. They had cool jerseys. They had Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway and Jamal Mashburn. I had plenty of friends in elementary school that loved the Heat.
But now becoming a Heat fan means one thing: You are a front-runner. You cheer for a team that wins all the time. You cheer for a team that has three superstars that all decided to play together. This team didn’t draft well or make good trades. They signed two future hall-of-famers to support Dwyane Wade’s ailing franchise, and now the NBA is their playground. Any team that has Lebron James is going to be able to compete for a title (2007 Cavs anyone?), but a team that featrues James, Wade, and Chris Bosh has a distinct advantage over everyone but the Dream Team.
Cheering for a team always includes heartbreak and agony. It’s feeling like you’re in the trenches fighting it out by the players’ sides. There are no trenches for the Heat. There is no heartbreak. After the 2011 NBA Finals, there was a thought that maybe this team couldn’t coexist well enough to win, that maybe there was too much talent. Now that thought is foolishness. This team, if they stay together and as long as Lebron keeps breathing, is going to win title after title after title.
You could make the comparison that the Heat are like the 90’s Bulls teams that featured Jordan and Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, but we have our own team here in Memphis now. Cheer for them. Don’t cheer for the team that is the best and most dominant. Where’s the fun in that?
2) The Los Angeles Lakers
Five years ago, if the Grizzlies played the Lakers, FedExForum would have been jam packed with people. And sadly about 90% of those people would have been cheering on the purple and gold. That was when Grizz stunk. It was frustrating, but getting to see Shaq and Kobe and Phil Jackson was a treat for their fans in Memphis.
Since the Lakers have had such a dominant grasp on the NBA for the better part of the last four decades, it makes sense that they would have picked up some fans in places besides L.A. along the way, Memphis being no exception.
But now, Memphis is good. Memphis is really good. We are going to finish with a better record than the Lakers despite them having four future hall-of-famers. And yet we still see The Grindhouse full of Lakers fans when we play them. Fans that taunt our fans. Fans that cheer anytime Kobe Bean Bryant touches the ball. Fans that are loud and obnoxious and act like the Lakers are the end all be all of professional basketball. Come on Memphians. How can you let a team that is 2000 miles away from your home be your home team? When Memphis got a team, your Lakers love should have taken the backseat to the Grizz.
1) The Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have been terrible forever. They have made the playoffs only a handful of times. They have always played second fiddle to the Lakers. Their owner is a horrible person. Their beat writer has said that Memphis “smells like no one showers.” They have the reputation of being a team that whines, flops, and plays dirty. They have made a brand out of dunking and alley-oops, a miniscule portion of what makes the NBA great. They are the worst.
And yet every time I see the Grizz face the Clippers at FedExForum there are still hundreds of people cheering for the Clippers. It’s disgusting.
Memphis’ Clippers fans cannot say they have been fans for life because this team wasn’t even relevant outside of L.A. until Blake Griffin started playing for them which was 10 years after the Grizzlies came to Memphis.
Memphis’ Clippers fans can’t say they love Chris Paul and Blake Griffin more than any other player in the league. Why would anybody want to cheer for two of the biggest whiners the NBA has seen in the past 20 years?
Memphis’ Clippers fans can’t tell me they love the Clippers because they are dominant. This team is far from dominant. They have a mediocre record for the talent they possess. If anything they are underachieving because Vinny Del Negro is a horrible coach.
This Clippers team is among the league’s most deplorable, and somehow they manage to include some of Memphis’ citizens as their fans. Those “fans” that this team of babies and Prima donnas has won over are the ones you should heckle berate when you see them in the Forum. You should let them know that this is Memphis, home of grit ‘n grind, a blue collar city full of blue collar people, and that Memphis wants no part of them if they cheer on the Clippers.
You’re going to have plenty of opportunities to give the Clippers fans a piece of your mind as the Grizzlies are set to battle the Floppers for the second year in a row in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Go Grizz. Beat L.A.
Warner Russell is a regular contributor for MemphiSport and The Wise Guise. Read his non-sports stuff here. Follow him @uncle_warny.
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Here are some of the best social media pictures from the Memphis Grizzlies’ franchise record 56th win of the season:
Twitter: @cerrito
Email: kevin@memphisport.com
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New Memphis Grizzlies minority owners Peyton and Ashley Manning will be in attendance at the March 29 home game against the Houston Rockets, according to a tweet by The Commercial Appeal’s Kyle Veazey.
This will be the Manning couple’s first game at The Grindhouse as owners. Justin Timberlake caused a frenzy when he made his home debut as a Grizzlies owner over Thanksgiving weekend.
Email: kevin@memphisport.com
Twitter: @cerrito
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On Friday, many Memphis fans were left waiting outside in the cold once again missing the opening tip of a Grizzlies game. The long lines and late arrivals into seats have become common occurrences on the nights FedExForum is forced to comply with the NBA’s increased security policy.
Kevin Cerrito is the managing editor of MemphiSport and host of MSL every Saturday from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on Sports 56 & 87.7 FM. MSL was voted 3rd Best Sports Radio Show in the 2010, 2011 & 2012 Memphis Flyer Best of Memphis poll. Follow him @cerrito.
SEE ALSO: Reaction to Memphis receiving invite to bid for 2024 Olympics
JT and Jay-Z tweet out a picture of them watching the first “Suit and Tie” Classic together
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center will be the setting for the second ever clash between celebrity owners Justin Timberlake (Grizzlies) and Jay-Z (Nets). The game played twice a year between the Eastern and Western Conference teams has been nicknamed the “Suit and Tie” Classic.
The Grizzlies defeated the Nets, 101 – 77 at the NBA’s first “Suit and Tie” Classic at FedExForum in Memphis on January 26, 2013.
The February 24 game was recently moved to national TV (ESPN) and is the first “Suit and Tie” Classic since Jay-Z and JT announced they would be going on tour together this summer.
Can Jay-Z get his first win over Justin Timberlake in Brooklyn’s first ‘Suit and Tie’ Classic?
Read CJ Hurt’s breakdown of Justin Timberlake vs. Jay-Z
UPDATE: The Grizzlies defeated the Nets, 76– 72 at the “Suit and Tie” Classic Vol 2 at Timberlake is now 2-0 against Jay-Z in the NBA.
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