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.

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?

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. 

It appears increasingly unlikely Penny Hardaway will be offered the Orlando job. But either way, Memphis basketball will endure.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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? 

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.

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.

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.

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.