Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
There are 1103 articles by Geoff Calkins :
The Lakers host the Timberwolves Tuesday for the right to meet the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. I think I speak for Grizzlies fans everywhere when I say: “Go T-Wolves!”
Is it a scandal that law enforcement officials didn’t throw themselves into investigating a superstar basketball player whose behavior was plainly over the line? No. It would have been unusual if they had.
Anne Boyd celebrated her 90th birthday with her first Grizzlies game at FedExForum. That says a lot about her. And a lot about what the Grizzlies have come to mean to this city over the past 22 years.
The Grizzlies set a franchise record by winning their 33rd home game Tuesday. Not bad for a team that was supposed to be in disarray not long ago. How did they do it? “This is the closest team I’ve ever been a part of,” said Desmond Bane.
Florida Atlantic University is in the Final Four. This has caused Memphis fans to feel all sorts of things — including deep pain. Is it rational? Of course not. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Ja Morant’s family wore hoodies that said, “Redemption.” But Morant said he just wants a second chance. That began Wednesday at FedExForum against the Houston Rockets. It was a sweet — and emotional — night.
Ja Morant may be back — but he’s not exactly himself. Given everything that has happened in his life lately, isn’t that a good thing?
This could be a tough week for Memphis basketball fans. So we gathered some suggestions about how to make it through. They include denial, chocolate, the Tigers women’s team and looking on the bright side.
The Memphis Tigers had it all in their grasp. The win, the celebration, maybe even a trip to the Sweet 16. Instead, they lost to Florida Atlantic Friday. And now they are headed home.
Kendric Davis has made it to the NCAA Tournament. Now he’s aiming to be one of the Memphis program’s all-time greats.
DeAndre Williams had a GoPro. Alex Lomax (and his big ones) are on a T-shirt. Yes, Memphis, the Tigers seem to be having a high old time.
Penny Hardaway took the job at Memphis with the promise that he’d deliver titles. Sunday, The Tigers knocked off No. 1 Houston to win the AAC Tournament. They’re not done for the season. The NCAAs await. But after five years, Hardaway delivered on his promise. And it was glorious.
DeAndre Williams threw down a dunk that summed up the Memphis Tigers play on Saturday. They’re not letting anyone stop them. After routing Tulane, they’ll play Houston Sunday for the AAC Championship.
Kendric Davis and DeAndre Williams each scored more than 30 points in leading Memphis over UCF Friday. That’s the first time two Memphis players have scored 30 or more in the same game in over 52 years.
The Grizzlies smashed the Golden State Warriors Thursday and then got a message from their missing leader, Ja Morant. It doesn’t mean that all is well with the franchise. But a hard day ended in hope.
It was a magnificent day for Memphis basketball. Right up until Houston hit the winning shot. On a day when Tiger basketball conjured that magical feeling once again.
It’s easy to be skeptical about Ja Morant’s statement of apology. But it represents an important first. He never before has accepted responsibility for his actions. Now maybe there’s a shot he will change. Calkins: It’s time to put down the gun, Ja. And to put down the act.Related stories:
Nike produced a Ja Morant shoe because he is “a real leader” for “the NBA, for basketball and for the city of Memphis.” Morant’s latest Instagram live video makes a mockery of those words. It is time for Morant to put down the gun and put down the tough-guy act. Here’s hoping he realizes that, at long last.
The best thing about Sunday’s epic matchup between the Memphis Tigers and No. 1 Houston? It was earned.
The Lakers came to town Tuesday and greatness followed. No, not from LeBron James. He missed the game with a bum foot. But he had a splendid seat to watch Ja Morant score 28 points in the third quarter to lead the Grizzlies to victory.
Penny Hardaway texted Kendric Davis prior to Sunday’s game. After the win over Cincinnati, Davis and the Tigers are one step closer to the subject of that text.
The Memphis Tigers are battered, weary — and now they’re missing a key player who broke his hand punching a door. So how do they keep winning games? By any means necessary. On a Memphis team that richly deserves a trip to the NCAAs.
The Memphis Tigers put up a gallant fight in losing to the Houston Cougars Sunday. The good news? The Cougars should be No. 1 in the country when they come to FedExForum for the rematch on March 5. And a healthy Kendric Davis should be waiting for them.
The Memphis Tigers lost Kendric Davis to injury, lost 24 turnovers and somehow still managed to beat Central Florida Thursday night. It may not have been the most important win in Memphis history. But it was unlike any that have come before.
The Grizzlies headed off into the All-Star break with a win over the Utah Jazz. It was a fitting way to wrap up the best, most promising start to a season in franchise history. The future has never looked better, on and off the court.