Grizzlies

Can Lionel Hollins and the Memphis Grizzlies possibly kiss and make up?

AndreDALLAS — So the Memphis Grizzlies are seeking a new head coach after the toxic relationship between former head man Dave Joerger and the front office had become a public embarrassment, a ridiculously public shame in that it has become increasingly evident that Grizzlies majority owner Robert Pera and his crew can’t seem to get along with guys whom they employ to coach the team.

As if Joerger’s unceremonious departure last weekend wasn’t enough to send shock waves throughout the basketball-crazed Bluff City, Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace reportedly was seen meeting on Monday with Joerger’s former boss, ex-Grizz coach Lionel Hollins at Humdingers in East Memphis.

Well, what ta ya know?

WALKING IN MEMPHIS AGAIN? As if former Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger's unceremonious departure last weekend wasn't enough to send shock waves throughout the basketball-crazed Bluff City, Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace reportedly was seen meeting on Monday with Joerger's former boss, ex-Grizz coach Lionel Hollins at Humdingers in East Memphis.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS AGAIN? As if former Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger’s unceremonious departure last weekend wasn’t enough to send shock waves throughout the basketball-crazed Bluff City, Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace reportedly was seen meeting on Monday with Joerger’s former boss, ex-Grizz coach Lionel Hollins at Humdingers in East Memphis. (Getty Images Photo)

Either Wallace and Hollins were taking advantage of Humdingers’ happy hour or the restaurant’s every Monday after 4 p.m. $4.99 shrimp appetizers, or they were devising ways to appropriately rekindle a once unhealthy relationship that, like the one he had with Joerger, was an ongoing disgrace.

Hollins, to his credit, had a done a masterful job with a once downtrodden Grizz team that was in dire need of a strict, resourceful coach who could get the best out of his players, having led Memphis to a francise-record  56 wins in his final season with the team.

Joerger, to his credit, had done a rather favorable job with an upstart Grizz team that, unfortunately, has underachieved over the past two seasons.

HOLLINS AND GRIZZ GM MEET:  John Martin on Twitter: “Happening right now at Humdingers: Lionel Hollins and Chris Wallace. https://t.co/eLEv8qRUGV”

Still, truth be told, Hollins and Joerger were habitual, arrogant, smart aleck knuckleheads, both of whom also had become a source of frustration and constant turnoffs not just to the Grizzlies front office, but to many of us media members.

Which, in my estimation, makes what took place Monday night at Humdingers a huge head-scratcher, of sorts.

So could it really happen?

Could the Grizzlies and Hollins collectively place their massive egos by the wayside, refrain from the excessive verbal sparring and bad mouthing and finger pointing at each other and agree to Believe Memphis once again?

 

MIKE LOVES LIONEL --- Could the Grizzlies and Hollins collectively place their massive egos by the wayside, refrain from of the verbal sparring and bad mouthing at finger pointing at each other and agree to Believe Memphis once again? (Getty Images Photo)

MIKE LOVES LIONELCould the Grizzlies and Hollins collectively place their massive egos by the wayside, refrain from of the verbal sparring and bad mouthing at finger pointing at each other and agree to Believe Memphis once again? (Getty Images Photo)

Is the 62-year-old Hollins the right guy at this point to reassume the head coaching duties of a struggling Memphis franchise that looks virtually nothing like the one he guided to the Western Conference Finals three years ago?

Or should the Grizzlies simply go with the proven success that is former Indiana Pacers head man Frank Vogel and dismiss the compelling notion of bringing back Hollins and his customary wishy washy disposition?

Either way, countless Memphians sense the Grizzlies are about to inherit a slam dunk hire amid Joerger’s dismissal.

How ironic that I will soon return to Memphis because of my recent marriage.

Conversely, if the Grizzlies bring back Hollins, here’s hoping their marriage, too, becomes a loving, fruitful one this time around.

Better yet, here’s hoping they can kiss and make up.


Andre Johnson is a senior writer for MemphiSport. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, send an email to memphi[email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.

Playing Hurt Podcast: Top Memphis Grizzlies Moments From 2014-2015 Season

super griz

Join Cerrito Live producer CJ Hurt and Sports 56 producer and WUMR Sports  host Drew Barrett as they take you on a sports odyssey full of twists, turns, and a good time during Playing Hurt Podcast.

MemphiSport Live

Playing Hurt Podcast: Greatest Masked Men in Sports

grizzlies mask

Join Cerrito Live producer CJ Hurt and Sports 56 producer and WUMR Sports  host Drew Barrett as they take you on a sports odyssey full of twists, turns, and a good time during Playing Hurt Podcast.

MemphiSport Live

Playing Hurt Podcast: Will The Grizzlies Win the NBA Finals

beleivememphis-113908431-630_0Join Cerrito Live and HardBashin producer CJ Hurt and Sports 56 producer and WUMR Sports  host Drew Barrett as they take you on a sports odyssey full of twists, turns, and a good time during  Playing Hurt Podcast.

MemphiSport Live

Playing Hurt Podcast: NBA Playoff Preview

nba-playoffsJoin Cerrito Live and HardBashin producer CJ Hurt and Sports 56 producer and WUMR Sports  host Drew Barrett as they take you on a sports odyssey full of twists, turns, and a good time during  Playing Hurt Podcast.

MemphiSport Live

VIDEO: Marc Gasol on ‘The Tonight Show’

Memphis Grizzlies center and NBA All-Star starter Marc Gasol appeared on Thursday night’s episode of “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.”

WATCH:

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Grizzlies owner Robert Pera to play in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game

pera pr

Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera is scheduled to play in this year’s Celebrity All-Star Game during NBA All-Star weekend.

The celebrity game will air live on ESPN from Madison Square Garden at 6:00 pm CT on February 13. Kevin Hart, Common and Nick Cannon are among the other stars participating.

View the full roster here.

Top 5: Wrestling Night at FedExForum

When Grizzlies Live starts out like this, you know you’re in for a fun night at FedExForum.  As if the big OKC-Memphis rivalry wasn’t enough – Grizzlies tag teamed with pro wrestling to electrify The Grindhouse.  Maria & I were there, along with Kevin Cerrito to witness the action first-hand.

Now that the dust has settled, let’s take a look back at the top five takeaways from the event (in no particular order).

1.  16-time World Heavyweight Champion & 2-time WWE Hall of Famer “Nature Boy” Ric Flair made a surprise appearance with the Nature Bear – Grizz dressed as Flair!  Flair not only mentioned Kevin Durant on mic, but he hugged & rallied with Vince Carter & Z-Bo.

Flair & Grizz

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of @memgrizz

2.  Grizzlies featured live wrestling matches during the evening.  I competed in the pre-game match-up & Jerry “The King” Lawler was in action at half time.  The King successfully defended his newly crowned World Grizzlyweight Championship.

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Courtesy of @ArtBy_Exelbierd

 

3.  The legendary Memphis Wrestling broadcast team of Lance Russell & Dave Brown hosted segments throughout the evening, building up to the big match at half time.  They provided play-by-play and fans were certainly happy to see the duo back in action.

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Courtesy of @memgrizz

4.  Memphis fans are crazy.  But Memphis wrestling fans are crazier!

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@MarkMcCleskey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  The first 3,000 fans received World Grizzlyweight Championship belts.  Fans began lining up as early as 3PM.  Doors do not open until 5PM… and tip off isn’t until 7PM.  To say this was the best giveaway in Grizzlies history would be an understatement.  (or am I biased?)

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@lbwhit18, MSL’s @MariaGaray & @JDun81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy of @JDun81

 

If you attended Wrestling Night at FedExForum, be sure to share you photos and highlights by tweeting myself or @MemphiSport.  Your next chance to catch live wrestling at FedExForum is February 22nd at WWE’s Fast Lane pay-per-view.  Tickets are on sale now.

Dustin Starr is an active sports entertainer and regular contributor to MemphiSport and MSL. Follow him @DustinStarr.

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Justin Timberlake Asks His Fans To Stop Bothering The Guy Who Called Him A Bandwagon Fan

photo by Justin Ford

Photo by Justin Ford

A little over 48 hours after their original Twitter exchange, Justin Timberlake tweeted a message to his followers asking them to stop sending hate tweets to the guy who called him a bandwagon fan of the Memphis Grizzlies:

JT Tweet 2

 

Twitter: @cerrito
Email: [email protected]

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VIDEO: Toronto Raptors Pay Tribute To Memphis Grizzlies Player Vince Carter

During a timeout at the Memphis Grizzlies’ only road game in Toronto this season, the Raptors aired a tribute video to Vince Carter as part of the Canadian team’s 20th anniversary season celebration.

WATCH:

 

Twitter: @cerrito
Email: [email protected]

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