Calkins: On opening night in Memphis, Grizz fans got everything they wanted
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant celebrates during action against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. 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.
All you need to know about the Grizzlies 24th home opener in Memphis is that this was the only real suspense at the end.
It delivered Ja Morant throwing alley-oops and receiving them, too.
It delivered Jaren Jackson Jr. making an emphatic season debut.
It delivered Zach Edey with his first 3-pointer of the year.
It delivered Scotty Pippen Jr. dishing a career-high 12 assists.
It delivered Jay Huff — Jay Huff! — electrifying the crowd with two reverse slams, one off an alley-oop pass from Marcus Smart from beyond half court.
And then, with the sellout crowd chanting the name of a player most had never heard of six weeks ago, it delivered Yuki Kawamura, bounding off the bench.
Topics
Memphis Grizzlies Subscriber Only Yuki Kawamura Ja Morant Jaren Jackson Jr. Jay HuffThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization with a hybrid business model, we rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and miscellaneous earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Calkins: Biggest Memphis win ever? It might just be.
“Ryan Silverfield called the win over Florida State ‘monumental.’ It was certainly that. Indeed, there is an argument that it was the most important win in program history.”
Calkins: Memphis should jump to the Pac-12
If given the chance, Memphis should jump to the Pac-12. It isn’t even a close call.
Calkins: Will Grizzlies be a casualty of gun referendum fight?
“The future of the Grizzlies might be caught up in the ongoing fight over the gun referendum. For Memphis, it’s a dangerous game to play.”
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.