Memphis Hardwood

Chris Herrington joins Memphis Hardwood once again to talk about the second half of the Pau Gasol Era. Chris talks about the unheralded but excellent coaching job Mike Fratello did in his first season with the Grizz, the Marc Iavaroni experiment, and the ascendance of Lionel Hollins to the head coaching job. Along the way we discuss the short-lived Tony Barone era, the arrival of Chris Wallace, drafting Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, and explore why Mike didn't play home games the first half of his first season. All this and more on our third part of the Memphis Grizzlies oral history

Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net

Marvin and Anthony are back to talking about real live Grizzlies basketball. The Grizzlies Salt Lake City Summer League team debuted last night, and oh my goodness there is a lot to discuss. Jake Laravia had a great night, Ziaire played well on the ball, and Kenny Lofton Jr. was just so much fun to watch. Kennedy Chandler - at 6 feet tall - had the game winning stop. There is much to like about this group of young players, and yet it's also clear that this group also has so much left to learn. 

Marvin and Anthony also take a quick look at the Grizzlies depth chart, and wonder whether the Grizzlies are done dealing before the season starts.  

All this and more on our first episode during the 2022 Summer League.

Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net

Chris Herrington joins Memphis Hardwood this week to talk about the first seven seasons the Grizzlies played in Memphis. Chris has covered the team since 2001 when he started the 'Beyond the Arc' blog, and he has written quite well about the Grizzlies for the Commercial Appeal and the Daily Memphis.

On Part I of our interview with Chris, we walk through those first Pau seasons, the unexpected success of Hubie Brown's first season and the unexpected decline in his second. We talk about players James Poey and Bonzie Wells, coach Mike Fratello,  the transition from the Pyramid to FedExForum, and the Grizzlies first three playoff appearances. Marvin and Anthony learned a ton about our Beale Street Bears from Chris, so you won't want to miss this special episode of Memphis Hardwood.

Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net

This is the first episode in a multi-part series dedicated to the history of the Grizzlies franchise since moving to Memphis. Part one focuses on the team's move from Vancouver, with Memphis a seemingly unlikely landing spot for an NBA franchise. Longtime journalist Geoff Calkins covered the move in the early 2000s, and he shares both his memories and his writing from the period to help us understand how Memphis landed the Grizzlies.

Daily Memphian columnist Chris Herrington will join us for Part II of this series, where we focus on the first years of the franchise in Memphis - from hiring Jerry West to Hubie Brown's coach of the year season to drafting Pau Gasol and Shane Battier to making the playoffs for the first time. It should be fun, and you won't want to miss it.

Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light Podcast Network - check it out at www.backtothelight.net

The Memphis Grizzlies were busy on draft night, a perennial expectation now under the leadership of Grizzlies GM Zach Kleinman. The Grizzlies acquired five new players - four forwards and one lead guard - which brings both excitement and new questions to the team's roster. With fan favorite D'Anthony Melton traded to Philly, what will happen to Kyle and Tyus? What can we expect from these new additions to the squad? Whose role will increase next year as a result of these first transactions? Marvin and Anthony break it all down on our Post-Draft Edition of Memphis Hardwood.

Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net

The Grizzlies have two first round picks - 22 and 29 - and they have number 47 in the second round.  Who should they pick? Anthony breaks it all down on this special Draft Edition of Memphis Hardwood. 

Memphis Hardwood is a member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net 

Memphis Hardwood is back from summer vacation! Even though the Grizzlies aren't playing basketball, there is a lot to talk about as we prepare  for the draft and free agency. Who should we keep, who might go? What should the Grizzlies do in the draft? Trade up, trade out, or take all three picks? Does Dillon stay, or should he be packaged in a trade? Marvin and Anthony get to all this and much more - plus a special announcement! - in this June edition of Memphis Hardwood. 

Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network: www.backtothelight.net  

As we watch the Grizzlies most recent foe, the Golden State Warriors, dominate the seemingly helpless Dallas Mavericks we cannot help but turn our attention to the work ahead for the Grizzlies. Marvin and Anthony discuss the current state of our roster, what we need to add, and why it feels so difficult to imagine moving on from anyone on this incredible team. Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net

The Grizzlies fell in Game 6 to the Warriors in the Bay, but the future could not be brighter for the bears of Beale Street. Marvin and Anthony recount the season's final game, share what we loved about this remarkable season, what we are carrying forward, and what we might expect from this team going forward.

Memphis Hardwood will have an active offseason. We have some great things planned for the summer, so stay tuned - you won't want to miss it.

Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net

The Grizzlies looked fantastic in their Game 5 win against the Warriors at FedEx Forum. Steve-o was mighty good, JJJ took a big leap, and Bane looked like Bane again! Marvin and Anthony celebrate the Grizzlies 39 point win and talk about what it might mean for the rest of the series. Memphis Hardwood is a proud member of the Back to the Light podcast network - www.backtothelight.net