So, Tubby Smith is the new Memphis head coach. My first reaction was “Eh.” Having grown up on Nolan Richardson’s fast-paced 40 Minutes of Hell at Arkansas, the Tubbyball style which is slower, more defensive-minded, stressing fundamentals, seemed boring to me.
However, I have come around to like the hire. Kids who come play here have all had enablers in their ear, telling them they are on the fast track to the NBA, and that they are too good to listen to their coaches. As a result, recent Tigers teams have tended to play AAU style ball at the college level, and of course that has not worked out well. Fundamentals and team ball concepts are exactly what our young players need to learn. This Sporting News article says it well.
Rumor has it Tubby will name Penny Hardaway as lead assistant. Although Tubby is not a strong recruiter and doesn’t know about recruiting in the Memphis area, I think recruiting will be just fine if we have Penny on board and retain Keelon Lawson as an assistant. Dedric Lawson has already said he will be back next season, which is a promising sign.
Welcome to Memphis, Coach.
If you didn’t make it to the Silly Goose last night to hear Charvey Mac, you have an additional chance to catch him Downtown this week. He will play the Harbor Town Crawfish Festival from 1 to 4 Saturday.
Historian Jimmy Ogle is hosting a free Memphis Music Tour this afternoon at 5:30. Meet at the Beale Street Caravan office at 49 Union. Free to attend.
There’s a Lip Sync Battle tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe tonight at 7. People who garnered the most online votes in a lip sync battle will compete, but there will be celebrities competing as well, including Al Kapone, Mayor Strickland, Gina Neely (Food Network star), Bev Johnson, and Bar-Kays vocalist Larry Dodson. $30 individual ticket or $50 for two, with proceeds benefiting Plus-1, the MLGW program that provides money to pay the utility bills for those in need.
Saturday is National Eggs Benedict Day. My recommendation would be to go to brunch at Rizzo’s Diner and have the Catfish Benedict. I had it back in January and it is the best Benedict I have ever had.
The River Rat Rounders poker league now has an app where players can access all their information in one place. Available for iPhone and Android.
Last month, a Los Angeles woman claimed abuse by Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph. She claimed he hit her in the neck and back, and showed bruises. Now she has admitted she was lying, and that a friend helped her make the bruises. I hope she faces punishment for filing a false police report, and if she put those accusations on an official court document and signed her name, I hope she gets charged with perjury too. I’m reminded of the saying, “When you tell the truth, it becomes part of your past; but when you lie, it becomes part of your future.” Congrats to Z-bo on having his good name cleared. I’m sure this was an unwelcome nuisance during crunch time at the end of the regular season.
Here’s a link to game times for the #2 Spurs vs. #7 Grizzlies playoff opening round. Note that all times are Eastern, so subtract an hour from what is listed. FiveThirtyEight gives the Grizz a 2% chance of advancing to the conference semis. Like I said yesterday, if you want a 2016 Growl Towel, better attend the April 22 or April 24 game at FedExForum.
I want to apologize to the Brass Door for having twice said I was coming up there after work and making it there neither time. The reality is, when you are on a BBQ team, all plans are tentative in the 5-6 weeks preceding BBQ Fest. This week I have had to remain in the Main/Gayoso/Peabody place area with my Director of PR hat on, to give my perspective on a few team matters. I hope to be back at the Brass Door soon and the absence will be temporary.
As if we needed one more thing going on Saturday, rapper Andy Mineo will play the New Daisy at 7 that night with Propaganda as part of his Uncomfortable tour. Tickets $22 in advance/$27 day of show or $45/50 for VIP tickets.
That’s it for now. A second post after work with Farmers Market info and more is a strong possibility.