Calkins: A mayoral basketball game won’t save us. But the spirit behind it just might.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris makes a pass during the Heal The Hood Foundation Celebrity Basketball Game at Ridgeway High School Saturday, June 8. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Geoff Calkins
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.
Let the record show that with two minutes gone in the second half, Memphis Mayor Paul Young drove right past former Ridgeway High player Brandy Beasley, then stopped, pulled up and looped in a shot over former Memphis Tiger Will Coleman.
Just like that, all of the city’s problems ceased.
Crime evaporated.
Pot holes magically sealed themselves up.
Television stations started highlighting nothing but good news.
OK, maybe not.
But at least one of our two mayors had a bucket.
And everyone in the Ridgeway High School gym seemed to be enjoying themselves for a good cause.
Topics
Mayor Paul Young Mayor Lee Harris Tony Allen Lionel Hollins Healing the Hood Memphis Subscriber OnlyWe’re in the final countdown of 2025. ⌛🪩🎉
Will you make a donation before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve to fuel trustworthy reporting in the new year?
➡️ Make a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian, a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now!
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Calkins: Why one man has walked all over Memphis — and will do it again Thursday
Every March 21, Josh Greer walks all over Memphis from daybreak to dusk. Here’s why he does it and what we can learn from his annual trek.
Calkins: Marc Gasol was made by Memphis — and then he made the city a better place
The Core Four will be back together to celebrate Marc Gasol at FedExForum Saturday night. But this celebration will be different than all the others. Because Gasol’s story is the story of a franchise, a city and a family, all wrapped up in one. Marc Gasol hints at potential ‘Core Four’ reunion, muses on Memphis in returnRelated story:
Calkins: How did Marc Gasol celebrate his moment? By sharing it, of course.
As a player, Marc Gasol always shared the glory. And so it was again Saturday night. How better to honor Gasol than by celebrating all four men who helped him transform a franchise and the city? On a glorious night for the Core Four.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.