What an emotional game for the Grizzlies last night. For those of you who don’t keep up with Grizzlies news, around 5 yesterday it was announced that the Grizzlies were close to getting a deal done with the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte would get Marc Gasol, it was reported, and Memphis would get either Miles Bridges or Malik Monk or Michael Kidd-Glichrist, Bismack Biyombo, possible other filler to make the salaries match, and a first-round draft pick.. The speculation became enhanced when the coaching staff sat out Marc, after he had dressed for the game. So Mike Conley, rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., and three players who weren’t in Memphis three weeks ago started the game and got out to a big lead. No one could have blamed Marc if he didn’t feel like being there, but he came out and watched his team from the bench for most of the first half. The Grizzlies nearly blew it like they have so many times lately, but held on to win.
This morning it is being reported that trade talks with Charlotte have now cooled. We shall see what happens. If the front office fails to trade Conley or Gasol after publicly announcing their intentions, they are going to look like idiots. (Not that it would be anything new. Drafting Hasheem Thabeet… drafting Tony Wroten when Draymond Green was still on the board… sending out a first for Jeff Green… offering Chandler Parsons a max deal… failing to get back any assets for Tyreke Evans last year)
One thing’s for sure. Until 2 PM tomorrow, I’m going to have to check Twitter nearly constantly to make sure I don’t miss any breaking stories on Grizzlies trades.
Panic! at the Disco brings their Pray For The Wicked Tour to FedExForum tonight, with opening acts Two Feet and Betty Who.
It’s the Year of the Pig. Belz Museum is having a celebration of Chinese New Year this month. This Saturday will be Chinese New Year Family Day at the Museum from noon to 4, with winners of a student art contest revealed.
Hi-Que BBQ will be the food truck at Food Truck Wednesday at Cordelia’s Market tonight. It’s kid-friendly, there’s indoor and outdoor seating, and you can get a pint or growler of beer. 5-8 PM, with a 5-6 happy hour in which you get a dollar off growlers and pints.
Holly from the I Love Memphis Blog reports that there’s an opening date for Comeback Coffee in The Pinch: March 29. She has some good photos of the place. It will be at 358 North Main.
In other Pinch news, ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude, is readying a block near Second and Overton to build patient family housing.
The Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate down in Southaven, are looking for people to sing the National Anthem prior to the Hustle’s remaining home games at Landers Center.
Don’t want to wait until March to see Memphis’ new soccer club Memphis 901 FC in action? You don’t have to. They’ll play an exhibition against Christian Brothers on February 16. Note that this game won’t be Downtown at AutoZone Park, but rather at the field at 165 S. Finlay.
The Orpheum has announced a concert with Gladys Knight and Jeffrey Osborne for September 12. This will be part of the Southern Heritage Classic event series for that week.
The Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog has more information on Swanky’s Taco Shop coming Downtown, moving into the former LYFE Kitchen space. They anticipate opening in April, probably keeping the kitchen open until 10 on the weekdays and 11 on the weekends, with the bar staying open until 12 or 12:30 on the weekends.
Anheuser Busch InBev has fully acquired RateBeer. Doesn’t that seem rather inappropriate, for a large beer company to own a platform on which beer drinkers are supposed to be able to leave honest and impartial reviews of the beers they drink?
If you’re looking for something different to do with your date on Valentine’s Day, Venezuelan restaurant Sabor Caribe out in The Edge (662 Madison) is offering a four course meal. Asparagus mousse will start things off, followed by shrimp with coconut sauce, then a main course of pork sirloin with beer and honey sauce, and then a dessert of creme brulee with red berry sauce. The menu is by chef Cesar Gonzalez. Reservations only. 901-425-5889.
Coming to Loflin Yard on March 21: Drunk Arm Wrestling
For my readers who are fellow pro wrestling fans, be sure to set the DVR for Monday, February 25’s show. That day is Ric Flair’s 70th birthday and there are reports that there will be a big party for him on the show.
All right. Time to hit Publish and get outside. Back tomorrow with more news.