The first of a three-part Mid-Summer Grizzlies Mailbag focuses on questions about the lingering offseason, with more discussion of salaries and draft picks.

A year ago, SpaceXAI committed to give Memphis-Shelby County Schools a gift a local pastor called “game-changing.” So far, MSCS has little to show for it. It’s time for that to change.

Related content: 

SpaceXAI offered major construction upgrades to Memphis schools. What happened?

The 5-foot-10 point guard has a big personality and passion for Memphis basketball. And what he lacks in height "I’m gonna make up for with heart.”

There is a beaver on the loose in Midtown. It’s big, it’s brown — and it’s not going to be easy to move.

“In a time of pervasive anxiety and loneliness, we pay a hearty chunk of change for a music box named after a Turtle in order to drown out the God-given sounds that Creation offers to soothe us.”

Former Memphis Tiger Jordan Devey took his own life last week. Sunday, a surgical team will transplant his organs so others can live.

Arthur Ashe’s example is a reminder that rejecting racism, caring for the poor, agitating for peace, protecting the environment and embracing diversity transcend color or creed.

Southaven is cracking down on blight in the city. But has it gone too far?

“Why did Memphis open basketball practice to the media in the middle of July? To ‘get people back with Memphis basketball,’ said Penny Hardaway. It’s a worthy task.”

Observations on the Memphis Grizzlies’ summer play and what comes next.

Hill takes a look back and recaps everything he saw from Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

“Those of us who don’t stand to profit off zoning decisions must speak up and support a vision for a more walkable Memphis. Not only will this support small local businesses, but it will save lives on our roads.”

“As I linger on the sweet and innocent memories, I try to never let them become my lone takeaway from that time in life when things felt better even if they weren’t. I don’t want my selective recollections of the past to become an encompassing reality that never was.”

“Police officers routinely face circumstances few citizens will ever experience. They must distinguish victims from suspects, assess deadly threats, and make irreversible decisions in fractions of a second.”

Davis’ return to Memphis and what he said Friday afternoon was a reminder that when things go right here, there can still be a profound connection between a coach and a player — and a player to a city.

“This week the suburbs accomplished something 10 years in the making — getting two official votes on the Memphis Light, Gas & Water board.”

“There is a difference between criticizing law enforcement as a profession and criticizing how law enforcement officers are trained. Examining professional failures does not demean a profession. It strengthens it.”

“Memphis without the Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals? It would be like the Fourth of July without fireworks.”

“Nearly 800,000 vehicles are donated to charities every year. There are a host of charities that accept donations of cars listed. But they may not all be reputable.”

“The legal challenges making news this week seem to be name-calling, accusations and publicly shaming others.”

“If you plant the right trees in the right places, embrace and care for our native ecosystem, and hold industry and government accountable for their impacts on our environment, we may just succeed.”

Dusty May and Penny Hardaway will always be inextricably linked. The outcome of their meeting in the NCAA Tournament three years ago charted a path for them both; one led to the NBA, and one that may yet lead to an unceremonious divorce.

Opinion: “Memphis does not have to choose between innovation and stewardship. ... SpaceXAI must complete the water recycling facility, pursue water-saving technologies, and be the community partner Memphis was promised.”

“American exceptionalism becomes dangerous when it suggests America is beyond criticism.”

“The real problem here — the sweaty elephant in the room — is infrastructure sorely in need of an upgrade. But as an average user who just expects the lights to come on when I flip the switch, I can’t accept that power in an urban area should go out so easily, so often and for so long.”