Marc Gasol is a Grizzly again… although it is highly unlikely he will suit up in Beale Street Blue this season. The L.A. Lakers traded Gasol, a 2024 second-round pick, and cash to Memphis, and in return they got the draft rights to Wang Zhelin. ESPN’s Woj reports that Gasol will work with the Grizzlies on a contract buyout so he can remain with his family in Spain. It lets Gasol retire a Grizzly, and it’s a classic Grizz front office move to take on an expiring contract in exchange for a future asset.
Wang Zhelin was drafted with the 57th pick by the Grizzlies in 2016; however, since then he has elected to remain in the Chinese Basketball Association, where he is a 4-time All-Star. It’s unknown if Wang ever has plans to come to the NBA, but if he does he will come in as a Laker.
Info from Jimbo from Mempho:
After experiencing mild congestion, I tested positive today for COVID, but otherwise feeling well. I’m thankful for being vaccinated.
I’m isolating & conducting city business electronically.
Over 90% of Memphians being hospitalized are not vaccinated. Please get your vaccine.
— Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) September 10, 2021
Glad to hear it’s a mild case, and I wish you a speedy recovery, Mr. Mayor.
The grand opening of River City Records at 101 S. Main is today 3 to 7 PM. Check out the listening lounge, browse the vinyl, check out the music-related art on the wall. Beer and cocktail hour starts at 5. Performing live will be Grammy-nominated blues musician RL Boyce and blues duo Memphissippi Sounds.
On pay-per-view tonight: A boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort, with commentary by none other than the Trumpster. Holyfield is 59, but that doesn’t make him the oldest man ever to step in the ring – in 2006 right here in Memphis, 66-year-old King Willie, at the time the mayor, fought in a 3-round exhibition against Smokin’ Joe Frazier.
For those wondering, “How is Donald Trump qualified to provide commentary on a boxing match?” I would tell you, Trump is very well qualified because he’s a malignant narcissist. Malignant narcissists are the world’s foremost experts on everything. No doubt the Stable Genius will serve up a heapin’ helpin’ of word salad tonight.
Memphis 901 FC hosts The Miami FC tonight at AutoZone Park. Gates open at 6, and kickoff is at 7. If you are in the military or are a first responder, you can get 2 free tickets to tonight’s game (info here) thanks to a partnership with Academy+ Sports Outdoors, Celtic Crossing, and Slider Inn. There’s a prematch party at Ghost River on Beale beginning at 4 PM, where you can get a 20 oz. Ghost River Gold and a Flying Sobies chili cheese dog for $10. You can also catch live music by my friends Pam and Terry on the patio. Official match program
Real 2 Reel Productions has a new offering: Puzzles! Pre-order yours before they go to print on October 6. They will be available for pickup at Real 2 Reel’s gallery November 4.
- Snowy Beale – 500 pieces $35
- Snowy Beale – 1000 pieces $50
- Customizable box with free puzzle – your choice of puzzle image and piece count (500 or 1000) $100
Good article by Gary Parrish: The AAC is reeling after losing Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF to the Big 12 and recovery won’t be easy. The AAC has positioned itself as one-sixth of the “Power Six,” although most everyone else thinks of the “Power Five” with the AAC as the strongest non-Power Five conference. Parrish thinks the Big 12 is not done expanding. The addition of the aforementioned schools and BYU brings the Big 12 to 12 teams, but their TV contract says they can have up to 14. Parrish thinks within the next few years, the Big 12 will come calling for Memphis and either SMU or USF. At that point, the AAC will have little room to claim it is more prestigious than, say, the Sun Belt Conference.
I too think Memphis’ time is going to come. Memphis has become too good on the field, in the classroom, and in terms of facilities to be ignored for more than a few more years. And when it happens, we’ll have Memphis vs. Kansas in conference basketball play. I could get down with that.
As for the next few years – Penny, you better make sure the nonconference schedule is stacked, because conference wins over ECU and Tulane aren’t going to impress the committee much.
Catherine & Mary’s is looking to hire a host.
Hilton Garden Inn is looking to hire an assistant general manager.
Tennessee Shakespeare Company will launch its Free Shakespeare Shout-Out Series with performances of HENRY VI: Wars of the Roses around the Memphis metro. Two of the performances are Downtown:
- River Park, 51 N. Riverside, Thursday, September 16 at 7 PM
- Wiseacre Brewery, 398 S. B.B. King, Monday, September 20 at 7 PM
From Action News 5: Southern Heritage Classic adds boost to the Memphis economy. Total impact is said to be $29.2 million.
Thank you to all the first responders who keep us safe.
It’s decision time for me this morning. Bardog, my usual Saturday stop, is closed for repairs. I can’t make up my mind what to do. Do I stay in my usual comfort zones, even though they’ll be super-crowded with out-of-towners today? Do I visit a place I’ve never been before that I hear has great PBR prices, but I might not know anyone there? Do I tolerate a couple of Cluster B personalities in exchange for cheap PBR and a mostly good crowd? I have a couple of hours to figure it out. Back tomorrow with more news.