Geoff Calkins
Calkins: If Milwaukee can win an NBA title, why can’t Memphis?
The Milwaukee Bucks proved you don’t have to be in a major market to win a title. So Grizzlies fans are free to dream.
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 974 articles by Geoff Calkins :
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July 2021
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Rooting for forfeits — and Vandy! — in this year’s SEC
Calkins: “The only thing SEC states do better than football is ignorance. Why you should be rooting for forfeits — and fully vaccinated Vanderbilt — this season.”
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: On his 50th birthday, Penny Hardaway is doing what he loves
Penny Hardaway is 50! And he’s spending his birthday at an AAU tournament in North Augusta, South Carolina, because he is working to bring a title to his hometown.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: Isn’t it time we let Lorenzen Wright rest in peace?
Can we please stop with the nationally televised whodunits in the Lorenzen Wright case? We already know who done it. Which is why Sherra Wright, his ex-wife, is sitting in prison.
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: Larry Brown, the world’s best (and oldest!) assistant, is a story everyone should love
Larry Brown said his hearing aids gave him trouble at his first Memphis practice. But listen up, people. This is a basketball story to appreciate.
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Spirit of Memphis Calkins: At the height of his career, Mike Glenn stepped away from FedEx to care for his daughter. It’s a story of sacrifice and love.
When Mike Glenn retired from FedEx at the height of his career in 2016, the news release said it was to “transition his focus full time to his family.” This is the story behind that decision, one that is hard and beautiful all at once.
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June 2021
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: With the bridge out, will business at West Memphis firework tents still boom?
For decades, Memphians have crossed over to Arkansas to get their fireworks. That will be considerably harder with the bridge out. A report from the West Memphis fireworks tents. Will business be a dud?
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Penny is staying and Larry Brown is arriving. This could be a lot of fun.
On the same day Penny Hardaway confirmed he won’t be leaving for the Orlando Magic, it was reported that Larry Brown will be joining him on the Memphis bench. Say this about Tigers basketball. It is rarely dull.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Penny or no Penny, Memphis basketball will be fine
It appears increasingly unlikely Penny Hardaway will be offered the Orlando job. But either way, Memphis basketball will endure.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Penny Hardaway era may be coming to a stunning end
Penny Hardaway has emerged as a ‘serious candidate’ to become the next coach of the Orlando Magic. He is closer to being the former coach of the Memphis Tigers than he has ever been.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: George Cates was impatient — for a better Memphis
When George Cates died in a plane crash Monday, Memphis lost a leader with vision and enthusiasm — and who was determined to bring everyone along.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: It may be too late for Memphis, but the NCAA is getting what it deserves
The University of Memphis may yet get whacked in the case before the NCAA. But if and when that happens, you can take solace in knowing there is no American institution with less credibility than the NCAA.
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Spirit of Memphis Calkins: Death and ‘Jeopardy:’ A game show helps Memphian find joy in a hard day
On June 8, 1999, Verlinda Johnson Henning’s husband, Darrell, died at the age of 45. Exactly 22 years later, Henning appeared as reigning champion on “Jeopardy!” It was just a coincidence, of course. But it helped her find balance on a very difficult day.
Related story:
Memphian is ‘Jeopardy!’ champion June 7, comes in second June 8
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: My genius, foolproof (and highly cynical) plan for hiring Larry Brown
Penny Hardaway is reportedly targeting Larry Brown for an assistant coaching job with the Memphis Tigers. Here’s how to do that without making things worse with the NCAA.
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Geoff Calkins Calkins: The Navy torpedoed his dream of playing in the NFL — but Cameron Kinley wouldn’t change a thing
Former Lausanne star Cameron Kinley found himself at the center of a storm this week after it was learned the Navy had rejected his request to defer his service so he could play in the NFL. It’s not the decision he wanted, certainly. But Kinley says he would go to the U.S. Naval Academy all over again.
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Spirit of MemphisCalkins: My highly controversial plan for the Grizzlies’ offseason
Here are the two things the Memphis Grizzlies absolutely have to do this offseason if they want to contend for an NBA title. I believe they’ll do both.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: ‘We’ll be back,’ says Morant. And Memphis can’t wait.
Yes, the Utah Jazz bounced the Grizzlies out of the playoffs Wednesday. But their 20th season in Memphis will go down as one of the most promising in franchise history.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The Grizzlies are down 3-1 — but Memphians should be thrilled
The Grizzlies lost to the Utah Jazz Monday to fall behind in their playoff series. So how come it felt like another great night for the Grizz?
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May 2021
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Memorable night at FedExForum ruined by Mike Conley heel turn
It was a wonderfully unruly night as playoff basketball returned to FedExForum Saturday. Until our old friend Mike Conley ruined everything.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The NBA playoffs are back in Memphis, ya hear me?
Four years after the last NBA playoff game at FedExForum, more than 10,000 Memphians will convene Saturday to celebrate a new era of postseason basketball in the city. This team might be even more audacious than that one. Just read the Growl Towels.
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Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: Like the great Ja Morant himself, the Grizzlies will be back
Memphis didn’t win Game 2 in Utah Wednesday. But any Grizzlies fan who watched the game had to be pumped. The Grizzlies now have home-court advantage and the best player in the series. Saturday night at FedExForum should be wild.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Want a wild scene at FedExForum for Grizzlies? Show up.
No, the Grizzlies won’t have a full house for Saturday’s Game 3 against the Jazz. But that’s no reason to be angry. Buy a ticket and soak it in. The Grizzlies will have more people in the building Saturday than since before the pandemic. It’ll feel like playoff basketball is supposed to feel.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Dillon Brooks may be loco, but he just beat the Utah Jazz
Dillon Brooks is just crazy enough to think the Grizzlies can beat the Utah Jazz. Which is exactly what they did Sunday night.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: How the NBA playoffs became a Memphis party (with Mike Conley, as host)
When Mike Conley was traded to the Utah Jazz, everyone said the trade was “win-win.” But nobody expected the Grizzlies would do this much winning, this soon.
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Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Ja Morant and his ‘team full of dogs’ make it an epic night
The incandescent Morant and the Grizzlies traveled to California and knocked off Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. It may not have been the biggest upset in Grizzlies postseason history. But it was a beautiful night.
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