The first round of the NBA draft will be broadcast live on ABC tonight at 7 PM. The Grizzlies have the ninth pick in the draft but could trade up. Player to keep your eye on: 7’2” UConn center Donovan Clingan would fill the Grizzlies’ greatest need. He’s unlikely to be available at pick number 9, though. The Grizzlies would have to trade up to get him.
Another possibility is 7’4” Purdue center Zach Edey. He’s really tall but I’ve read that he’s not as complete a player as Clingan. The Grizzlies need to be careful here. They once drafted a player who was really tall. His name was Hasheem Thabeet.
A Beale Street Bears writer proposed a Grizzlies-Miami Heat trade. Memphis gets Jimmy Butler, Miami gets Desmond Bane. NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! Des should be untouchable, and Jimmy is a poor fit for the Grizzlies in both age and attitude. Klay Thompson would be better organization-wise, but I still wouldn’t give up Bane to get him.
Today is Tropical Cocktails Day. Bahama Breeze in Cordova would be my reco… KIDDING! Only on April Fools’ Day would I recommend driving half an hour to go to that place. Go get one of those fish bowls at Silky’s.
I saw about 12 cop cars near the intersection of Poplar, Carroll, and High one block east of Danny Thomas yesterday around 1 PM. Witnesses told me a gray car came speeding out of the Exxon parking lot, crossed into opposing traffic on Poplar, and hit a woman standing at a bus stop and then a telephone pole.
Never been to one of the South Main Trolley Nights? Choose901 has a fantastic guide. The next Trolley Night will be this Friday, June 28.
Slider Inn Downtown will have its food truck and a full bar on its back patio beginning at 6:30 for the ultimate Trolley Night hangout. Heartbreak Hotel will play at 8.
Friday is Pinch District Community Day and you can sign up to help beautify the neighborhood from 10 AM to 3 PM. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring a water bottle.
LEO Events seeks a sales & marketing project manager.
Keeping Downtown informed, the DNA’s Jerred Price reported that wing restaurant The Crazy Coop is planning to open a location by August 2 in the former Hu. Diner location at Main and Madison. They have more than 30 wing flavors. If the wing’s not your thing, they have catfish dinners too.
Memphis Flyer writers made some good picks for late-night eats in this week’s issue. Two of the three restaurants covered, Blues City Cafe and Momma’s, are Downtown; the third, Madison Tavern, is the sister restaurant of Downtown’s Local on Main.
This week’s Flyer also has photos from Project Green Fork’s Loving Local event in We Saw You.
Birdie’s, the sim-golf bar on South Main, wants to keep its golfers safe and cool in this sweltering Memphis heat. They have a deal for you – half-off rates for golf when there’s an Excessive Heat Warning in effect. Just show staff the warning on your phone and the discount will be automatically applied.
Bogie’s Deli in the Brinkley Plaza building will be closed next week.
Old Dominick Distillery is having an event 5-8 PM this Thursday:
- $7 Old Fashioneds
- Mini tours
- Live music
- Complimentary samples of new whiskeys
- Meet Grizz
Elevation Memphis plays Live at the Tracks at Central Station Hotel this Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30.
RIP Sika Anoa’i. Sika and his older brother Afa formed The Wild Samoans, WWF tag team champions in the early ‘80s. Sika was the father of current WWE star Roman Reigns.
I’m staying out tonight! I’m going to miss dinner at the Union Mission, but I’m willing to sacrifice the calories for control over my schedule for a day. My tentative plan is to hang out at the Cossitt Library all afternoon writing, then over to the Saucer for at least the first 9 picks of the NBA draft, then south to Momma’s.
I’ll be back tomorrow with Grizzlies draft reactions.
It’s free to read this blog, but I gratefully accept tips!
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com