When the Memphis Grizzlies’ annual open practice was finished, coach Taylor Jenkins and Jaren Jackson Jr. walked their way to the opposite side of the floor to greet a group of fans. 

But it wasn’t just any fan. 

Jenkins and Jackson, outspoken about the importance of voting in the community for several years, trotted over to meet Memphis mayor-elect Paul Young and his family. 

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They shook hands, shared congratulations and wished each other the best. 

Saturday was a day of fresh starts all around.

For the incoming mayor, a Grizzlies fan his entire life, who was there supporting his team two days after being elected. And for the Grizzlies, who will embark on a season of new challenges in a city that has its own. 

“ We talk about the support from this city all the time, but there’s no better example than to have the head man, the one who is really in charge of this whole thing, show his support.”

Desmond Bane

“That was crazy, man,” said Desmond Bane, who also wandered over and introduced himself to Young. “We talk about the support from this city all the time, but there’s no better example than to have the head man, the one who is really in charge of this whole thing, show his support.”

The Grizzlies welcome back the fans

The Grizzlies’ fans did not disappoint. They packed the full lower bowl of FedExForum for a few minutes of (defense optional) scrimmaging, a half-court shooting contest and a few other drills. 

Derrick Rose received the loudest ovation as he sprinted out of the tunnel to join his new teammates Saturday afternoon. 

Rose, who has not donned a Memphis jersey since he played for the Tigers in 2008, is still clearly a fan favorite. He signed shoes and laughed with a group that was frequently shouting his name. 

All of the players did their best their best to engage after a long break without hoops.

During a break before the final minutes of the scrimmage, Jackson Jr. grabbed a fathead from a fan seated in the first two rows and signed it largely on his own forehead before handing it back. 

“This is what it’s all about,” Jackson said as he gripped the silver marker. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. grabs and signs a fathead of himself from a fan.

“This is what it’s all about,” he said. pic.twitter.com/lyqU4mJBFm

— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) October 7, 2023

“It feels weird having everybody up in here again,” Bane said. “But it feels great to be in front of the fans and interact with them heading into the season. It’s exciting times.”

Who participated?

Ja Morant, who is serving a 25-game suspension, was not present at the event. 

Marcus Smart was introduced, but the offseason acquisition did not participate because of minor abdominal soreness, according to a Grizzlies spokesperson. Smart is not expected to miss the start of the regular season. 

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Offensive changes

On Media Day, Jenkins explained a new mindset offensively for the Grizzlies. 

Instead of thinking about offense in terms of transition and the halfcourt, Memphis is approaching the game with three different “gears.”

Bane explained how it will work. 

“There are three gears like you would think about a car,” Bane said.

“The first gear is where the game is super slow and it’s a dead ball, it rolls out of bounds or there’s a timeout and we need to execute a play. The second gear is more about getting a rebound or the shot goes through the basket and we need an action to get the offense flowing. Third gear is a rebound or a loose ball and we are out and running. ... We want to stay in third gear as much as possible, of course. But we want to improve in the halfcourt.”

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Bane said the changes on offense are “not reinventing the wheel,” but they emphasize staying in pace and sharing the ball.

Jenkins could be heard from the sideline yelling which gear the team should play in after a change in possession.

See you around

Next up for the Grizzlies is a preseason game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. Even more fans will pack the building as the team gets a taste of what regular season basketball could look like. 

Young might be there again. Like so many other Grizzlies fans, his favorite memory was the team’s 2012 run to the Western Conference Finals. 

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If this team can replicate some of the same magic, the lifelong Memphis fan will want to be there for it. 

“I have season tickets,” Young said afterward. “You’ll see me around.”