Geoff Calkins
Calkins: Today, Memphis, you can ‘thank God’ for Ja Morant
With the game and the season hanging in the balance, Ja Morant did what superstars do. He lifted his game, his teammates and the city, too.
Geoff Calkins
Columnist
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.
There are 1013 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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April 2022
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ja isn’t himself and the officiating stinks. So now it’s all up to the Grizz.
Five years after David Fizdale unleashed his “take that for data” rant, Taylor Jenkins ripped the officials after the Grizzlies lost Game 4 to the Timberwolves. Will it work? Let us hope. But it would help if Ja would get healthy, fast.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s the playoffs, Memphis. Keep doing the (completely crazy) things you do.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said he didn’t know how the team came back twice to beat the Timberwolves in Game 3. Could that be because he didn’t realize all the totally loony things Memphis fans were doing to get the victory?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Grizzlies stun Timberwolves with record comeback — twice!
The Grizzlies came back from two massive deficits to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves. Just don’t ask coach Taylor Jenkins to explain how they did it. Even he doesn’t quite know.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: Grizzlies whoop the Timberwolves
With six minutes left in the game, everyone at FedExForum was dancing to “Whoop that Trick.” Including little Kaari Morant. It was that kind of triumphant night.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: Yes, Memphians, you can be nervous about Game 2. But the Grizzlies are just ‘pissed.’
Feeling a little queasy, Grizzlies fans? That’s understandable. But you can take heart that the players themselves don’t seem to be nervous. According to coach Taylor Jenkins, they’re just “pissed.”
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: The atmosphere was great, Memphians! The game, not so much.
It was a wild Saturday at FedExForum. The atmosphere was cranked. And then — well, the game started. And the Grizzlies somehow fell flat.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s playoff season in Memphis again. Now how long will it last?
These Grizzlies could win a title; they also could lose in the first round. It’s a postseason like no other in Memphis history. How long will the playoff party last?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Morant knows Beverley is coming for him. But he’s not ‘ducking no smoke.’
Ja Morant knows Patrick Beverley is coming for him. His response? “If somebody comes toward you, you can’t back down.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It’s Grizzles vs. Timberwolves in the Battle of ... Pancho’s?
It’s the Memphis Grizzlies vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves for all the ... cheese dip? Why there’s more to this playoff matchup than meets the eye.
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Memphis Grizzlies County approves agreement to keep Grizzlies in Memphis through 2029
The County Commission Monday approved the agreement with Grizzlies to keep the team in Memphis through at least 2029.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Grizzlies aren’t leaving Memphis — now or in 2029
The Grizzlies have reached an agreement with the city and county that will keep the team in Memphis through 2029. Should Grizzlies fans worry about what will happen after that? No. And here’s why.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: It was the happiest regular season in Grizz history. Now who do you want next?
OK, so it wasn’t the winningest Grizzlies regular season ever. But it was one of the most important — and most exhilarating.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Grizzlies look ‘damn good’ in Morant’s return
Good news, Grizzlies fans. Ja Morant returned to the lineup Saturday. And the Grizzlies celebrated by smashing the Pelicans.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Remember the kid Ja stared down? The one in the Warriors jersey? He’s a Grizzlies fan now.
After the Grizzlies beat the Warriors in January, Ja Morant stared down a kid in a Golden State jersey. The kid is Maddox Hehn, 8, from Nashville. He was back at FedExForum Monday night. But he sure looked different this time around.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Is Memphis dirtier than Kansas or UNC? Why Monday’s national championship may be hard for Tigers fans to watch.
As Memphis waits to learn its punishment, North Carolina and Kansas will play for the national championship. In the past decade, both schools have been accused of cheating on a grand scale.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: How did the Grizzlies beat the Suns? Joy!
The Grizzlies were missing four starters, all their point guards and (by halftime) their head coach. But they beat the best team in the NBA anyway. How did they do it? The same way they’ve won so many games this season. With irrepressible (and irresistible!) joy.
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March 2022
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Dillon Brooks ‘had the vision.’ Andre Iguodala got the boos.
Two years ago, Andre Iguodala declined to report to the Memphis Grizzlies after a trade. Now they have essentially clinched the No. 2 seed in the West. So what did Dillon Brooks have to say to him after the Grizzlies smashed the Warriors?
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Calkins: Remember the kid Ja stared down? The one in the Warriors jersey? He’s a Grizzlies fan now.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Memphis and Hardaway will fight allegations. But this sure doesn’t look good.
The IARP alleges that Penny Hardaway and Memphis basketball committed multiple Level 1 violations. The university is fighting back. Could this be the beginning of the end for Hardaway? The battle has been joined.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Yes, America. The Grizzlies really are that good.
ESPN came to Memphis to cover Ja Morant. They got a whole team of swaggering Grizzlies instead.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: We have a civic crisis, Memphis. ESPN is in town.
ESPN is spending the entire day in Memphis. Which is great, sure. But how are we going to keep that chip on our shoulder now?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Yes, it was heartbreaking. But Memphis basketball is back.
You will remember this one forever, won’t you? The Tigers’ season may have ended with Saturday’s loss to Gonzaga. But the game delivered an emphatic message to the country. Memphis basketball is back.
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Memphis Tigers BasketballCalkins: It’s Memphis vs. Gonzaga. Just like Penny Hardaway dreamed.
Nearly four years to the day since he accepted the Memphis job, Penny Hardaway will lead the Memphis Tigers as they take on No. 1 Gonzaga. It’s been a long journey to get to this moment. But the Tigers are back where they belong.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Lomax and Hardaway win one for the city
For Penny Hardaway and Alex Lomax, the Tigers’ win over Boise State wasn’t just a first-round NCAA Tournament victory. It was why they signed on four years ago. And it was exactly what they dreamed.
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Lomax’s gritty performance leads Memphis past Boise State
Why highs, lows against Boise State show Memphis can go far in NCAA Tournament
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Tigers are back in the tournament! (And Emoni Bates may be back, too)
It’s not enough that the Tigers will play in their first NCAA Tournament in eight years. Now there’s the chance Penny Hardaway may bring back Emoni Bates. Either way, Thursday will be a compelling day for Memphis basketball.
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