Geoff Calkins
Calkins: 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.
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 1041 articles by Geoff Calkins :
-
June 2021
-
Premium
Geoff Calkins -
Premium
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.
-
Real Estate 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.
-
Premium
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.
-
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
-
Premium
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.
-
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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?
-
-
May 2021
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Premium
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.
-
Geoff Calkins Calkins: It’s Memphis vs. Golden State in epic Battle of the Bridges
OK, their bridge is more famous. And their team is more famous. But here’s why the Grizzlies can beat the Warriors — and claim eighth place in the Western Conference — in Sunday’s Battle of the Bridges.
-
Premium
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: The new Grizzlies rock the Grindhouse with an old-school postseason win
The Grizzlies won the first postseason game of the NextGen era Wednesday night. It was an important moment for the new edition of the Grizzlies. But that’s not all it was.
-
Premium
Memphis GrizzliesCalkins: Yes, the Grizzlies will be better for losses like this
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors taught the Grizzlies some painful lessons Sunday. Let’s hope Ja Morant and the rest of the Grizzlies take those to heart.
-
Premium
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Get your rest, Grizzlies, because Steph Curry and the Warriors lie ahead
The Grizzlies defeated the Kings Thursday to set up a game against the Warriors for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. So take a load off, Grizzlies. It’s one of the biggest regular-season games in franchise history.
-
Premium
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: Yes, the Grizzlies are in the play-in! (And the hated Pelicans are not)
The Grizzlies are in the play-in! The Grizzlies are in the play-in! And if that doesn’t merit a champagne shower, it’s a real accomplishment. Just look at the New Orleans Pelicans.
-
Spirit of Memphis Calkins: Mom who gave birth while in a COVID coma celebrates Mother’s Day at home
When Susie Espinosa went to the emergency room last May, she prayed she’d be home to her three children soon. Instead, she spent eight weeks in a coma. Her recovery — supported by an ICU nurse who’s also a mom — is a testament to the power of perseverance and love.
-
Spirit of Memphis Calkins: Arnold Perl helped build a better Memphis
People rolled their eyes when Arnold Perl said FedExForum would be built on time and on budget. And he was right. Perl died this week at the age of 81. He leaves behind a better and more optimistic city.
Related story:
-
Premium
Geoff CalkinsCalkins: After a year of emptiness, baseball has returned to AutoZone Park
Sure, there was a rain delay. But after 610 days and nights without baseball in Memphis, what’s another two hours? It was a wet (but glorious!) night at AutoZone Park as the Redbirds made their return.
-