Memphis Grizzlies Offseason Starts Now: Blow It Up or Run It Back? #grizzlies #nba #nbatalk
Memphis Grizzlies Offseason Starts Now: Blow It Up or Run It Back? #grizzlies #nba #nbatalk
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. I don’t know what time it is where you are, but it is time for more insight. This is insight you can trust because there is more where it came from. I’m your host Chris Moore. Today with me, I have a special guest. We’re getting into all Grizzlies. Paris Sharky is in the building. He is the Grizzlies beat reporter, founder of LBR Media, one who’s tapped in with the Grizz, and he’s tapped in with the Grizz all season long. Appreciate you sliding through, fam. How you doing today, man? I’m doing good, man. How about you? Hey, man. I’m doing well. Um, that’s a lighter load for you. Um, the season is now over as a Memphis Grizzlies be reporter and a fan. So, how are you feeling? My feeling that’s a really good question on the fan side, you know, very very like salty feeling of how the season ended the whole last two months. Um, I feel like I I was a broken record. I even got booed at at a watch party for picking gold state to beat us at the playin game. I was like, you know, I haven’t seen them beat a team with a winning record since January. So, I’m not going to predict that they proceeded to lose every game to a team in the Western Conference when they win the record for the last three months. So, you know, as a fan, it was very tough. And it’s interesting that you say that because to me, the Memphis Grizzlies, so just to give you a little context, I’m born and raised in Atlanta. I’ve been in Memphis 5 years. So, Memphis Grizzlies have slowly grown on me. So, I am a fan die hard. No, but when it when they lose, I feel it. My son feels it. these three and he’s always asking me, “Dad, are the Grizzlies on tonight?” I’m like, “Nah, son. They at the playoffs. They lost.” And then he gets the sad face. And I said, “Hey, you and the entire city of Memphis feels the exact same way.” But the way I summed up the Memphis Grizzlies season is that it feels like it was a season in two parts. There was the beginning of the season where it was kind of bumpy, but then they kind of got along. They started doing well. But then on the back end, there’s a coaching change. Um, and it kind of just spirals downhill. So, how would you classify, give me an overall grade of the Memphis Grizzly season. Overall grade? Um, I got to give it below average. C minus. Got to give it a C minus. I just think coming into the season, I didn’t Some fans did have championship expectations. I would say I didn’t necessarily have a champ. I knew if things break right, yes, they can compete for a championship if John Morant is healthy for sure. and playing throughout the season, they go they could be content for a championship as long as he’s there and healthy, right? But um my thing was coming in I was never well I ain’t going to say never. After the Lakers series, I soured on Taylor Jenkins. I didn’t believe he was it. So he was still the coach coming into the season. So I didn’t have championship expectations. It was more, okay, he’s on the hot seat. If he don’t get to the second round, he’s getting fired. He end up getting fired before he got to the first round with nine games remaining, which was still a shock, but he was going to get fired and they probably still was going to end the season the exact same way with him coaching. So, it was just more I didn’t have a belief in him. I had a belief in the team, but coaching his deficiencies as a coach in my opinion still was going to hold him back at some point. But when you add in Job and Rand only playing 50 games, um, you got to add in Zack Climbing not bringing that veteran piece in, trading away. Mark with Marcus Smart being hurt, but then trading him away, not I’m a Jimmy Butler fan, so no rumors of potentially getting him. I wanted that to happen, of course, but also he would have really helped the team as he’s happy to go to state right now. But not making a move like that or even, you know, they maybe they maybe had attempted just didn’t happen, right? um not even getting that Dorian Finny Smith trade that was rumored that they was supposed to get him and he end up getting traded with Lakers. Even a simple move like that like that helps like him replacing Lucar who didn’t give you nothing at the end of the season. It just it was just too many variables to just everything went wrong at the wrong time. And the reason I give you a C minus is what I said earlier. their record against teams with a rent a record I want to say was like 12 and 24 or something total for the season and including OKC series they lost their last 14 games against a team in that conference teams that were the top seven who had a who had a winning record and then you add in the fact they were the two seed three seed most of the season you fall all the way down to eighth it can’t really get real fast so to that point what do you think was the best part of the Memphis Grizzlies season. Best parts, man. We’re at that first half of when they had the when we was talking about we were thinking we had the deepest team in the league just how when Gigi got hurt and Vince got hurt and then you had Jake Raia step up. Jayden Wales, he didn’t, you know, he didn’t supposed to, he weren’t even expected to play and he became the starting small forward and he didn’t miss a game until when he got hurt on that, you know, that crazy play when he went for the dunk. So like that that is supposed to happen and just for him step up. Although I was never a believer in Jacob Rayfield. I appreciate him stepping up and he he provides a good men for he was traded. Just a different out player. Scotty Pitman Jr. I was I was a fan of Hills after covering them last year. I knew he could provide something. A lot of fans kind of on Twitter was hard on him throughout the season, you know, his turnovers and different things like that. But at the end of the season, who was their who was their best player essentially in the last two playoff games? Yeah. Scotty Pipp. And the thing I like about Scotty, he had to grow. I feel like players like Scotty, the only way that he could get better is by actually playing. Him being on the bench does nothing for him because athletically I I heard you talk the other day, athletically he’s not that type of point guard, but he has basketball IQ, but the only way he can sharpen his basketball IQ and become more of an effective player is by playing. And I feel like he really stepped into a Taius Jones type of role, which is what Memphis has missed the last couple of years. Granted, you know, Taius hasn’t done what he thought he would probably do or what we expected him to do when he left. I feel like Scotty came in that role and feel that well feel that. Yep. Definitely. And like like that was perfect like perfect really um kind of conclusion to Scotty Pippen and what he has become like said that missing piece and what Ty Jones used to be. And to me he’s more of a cuz they’re different point guards, right? Ty Jones was a true point guard. Didn’t turn the ball. I mean, he never turned the ball over. And then Scotty, yeah, you know, he get he has a turnover issues a little bit, but he’s more of a combo guard. I compare him more as a mix of I always say the Grizz need to get a combination of Tus Jones and DeAnthony Melton. They need to get somebody to replace both of them as one position. And Scott P kind of is the one. He was the guy who like, all right, you turn them two players to one person. That was him. He he he became the player that you wanted that one person to be. So with the best of the season, what was your worst part of the season for the Memphis Grizzlies? The worst part I would say just the trade that trade deadline because it was you know you go into that and you because even in my opinion if they had just didn’t make any deal cuz Marcus Martin had finally came back from health and you had your full roster intact for the first time for that one game the day before the trade deadline against Toronto. If they had just stayed pack I would have been fine. But for you to I understand the move for contract purposes for the future Jiren Jackson potentially supermax contract negotiations coming up right if they decide to bring Santi back he’s a recent free agent things like that so I understood that from that standpoint but it does hinder you as well because Marcus Smart’s contract could have matched in trades that you really can’t even make right now unless you trade one of the big three well I don’t call the big three no more I call them core three. So you essentially got to trade Desmond Bang to make a significant move now. But if you had Marcus Smart’s contract, you still could have made a move where his contract could have matched up with someone else’s contract to make a deal happen. So the trade deadline that day, that trade happening, I mean, it was like 10 minutes before the actual deadline ended when that trade happened. Man, it like you said, it was one game that you could really see who you have on your team and see what they can do. And of course, one game is not enough. But one thing that you said that was interesting is that the top three players, you have Desmond Bane in position to where he may be the one on the outs. So if they kept if they keep John Morant, if they keep Desmond Bane and Jiren Jackson, do you believe in this core or is it time to move on? That’s a really good question. I’m inching towards I’m not believing in them anymore and it’s it’s just things we starting to see with deficiencies on it’s more it’s kind of goes back to the money because now all three of them are essentially get mass deals and I don’t know if you could surround their kind of different fits throughout because it’s starting to feel like and I be on Anthony Sain show every week and he’s been saying it for a while. I didn’t I don’t necessarily agree with him saying bring Dustin Bane off the bench. He said they need to get like another like a defensive shooting guard or three three and D KCP type not necessarily him himself but you know KCP maybe Jay Wells can slide up to two right and he was saying bring Dez and I was like Dez he can’t pay too much money to come off the bench he’s the highest paid player on the team currently so sure but if you got to do that I rather you trade him and get that player and get couple a couple of players you should be able to get a couple of different pieces that fits in. So, I’m not gonna say I’m truly out on them as a core, but the money makes me feel more out on them because it’s going to be more tough to try, especially in this new era, the second apron, all those things. It’s going to be much harder to try and fit pieces within them that would make them be the core that can put us over the top. You know how DEI is a trigger word? Second apron is a trigger word for me. CJ McCullum is always going to be on my list for being the president of the players association during this time when they negotiated that deal because this cap situation is ridiculous and I hate it. Yeah, I actually like initially I liked it because I thought it would help like a smaller market team. It was kind of meant to kind of help them but now it’s about to hurt a small market team a little too well. Um, a question for you. We talk about the players on the Grizzlies. Two players I was looking forward to this season. Gigi Jackson, Vince Williams. They basically had the green light last season. This season they came in and kind of had to adapt to the the change in the team because now Jaw is playing. Jaylen Wells is inserted. Jiren is flourishing. What happened with GG Jackson and Vince Williams? I know the injuries took a major part of the season, but from your from your angle, your perspective, what happened? It’s a mix of a lot. So the injuries did cuz I mean essentially they missed over half the season both of each and GG didn’t play his first game to January. Vincent played only three games. He got hurt returned got hurt again three games later and then returned right in February. So that’s tough on young players and then comparing to last year. Yeah. They were the guys. Now you got to fit in with the the big three who wasn’t available all collectively with y’all last year. Plus, you was playing on a team that wasn’t playing for anything last year, right? You’re inserting into a team that’s the number two seed, number three seed at the time. You come back from injury and now the GM trades Marcus Smart and Jack Ravier. Now, he got no choice but to play y’all. It’s just tough all around cuz now you got to adjust to a new role. Also, you’re still I don’t think Vince ever truly was he said I think even at his ex interview, he said he was only 80%. He never got to 100%. Never. And even GG, you come off a broken foot, you still necessarily didn’t really get back to your yet, they never really got the opportunity to get back to their full form. And it just wasn’t likely with this season just when you missed that much time, got to get reaclimated with the with the star players, new role, and a team that’s looking to win like in contention status. It was just a tough situation. They really we really needed them to be healthy in training camp. So, it was just unfortunate on that end. Yeah. Starting from the offseason last year, it was bad for Gigi. I remember him getting hurt. I remember him trying to come back and I know saw reports that mentally he was just kind of thrown off because he probably never had an injury like this. So trying to come back and he’s probably pushing himself to come back because he sees what the team is doing. He wants to help. Probably feel like he’s needed. But man, I I really hope that next season well I guess even to the point of next season are these two trade pieces or are they pieces that are essential for building the Grizzlies out? I think GG in my opinion is essential to keep. I would say I I kind of I’m not say I sour on Vince and defend yes we need to trade him but even during the season I started it already to say if you can make a trade if you saying y’all can get Jimmy Bolo Kevin Durant and if you saying Vince Williams Junior is the reason no n yeah n no n right man thing and my thing with him this is his I think that was just his third year he completed I come for the Memphis hustle his rookie year he only played seven games for the he was hurt throughout his rookie year he he only played seven games for the hustle Then even last year he got hurt. He got hurt the second half of the season. He missed. I think after all break I don’t think he played maybe a couple games. I think a lot of people don’t remember that he got his hot streak December and January and then Right. So it’s kind and then like this season I was like he’s starting to become an injury uh more of an injury concern that’s like very trend that I’m noticing. So you know he may be what he’s going to be. He no we just with him it’s hard to know but knowing that he wasn’t 100% that kind of lets me know that he’s kind of get back to that form that we saw from him last year but I wouldn’t I wouldn’t say he’s uh I wouldn’t say definitely all let’s trade him but even GG depending on the move if you really trying to win a championship I wouldn’t say no to I had to see the deal but I wouldn’t say no to one of them but GG I definitely specialize definitely keep him and develop him cuz he’s only 20 years old so I mean It’s kind of you got to give him a shot. I’m right there with you. I would hope just that we keep GG over Vince. Vince is solid. I ain’t going to hold you. Um, but speaking of, you know, players who are potentially leaving. Breaking news as of today. Tumas iso is the new head coach. He is official. They didn’t do much of a search at all, but I understand the circumstances. I understand, you know, Climate went overseas, recruited him, signed him. So, this is his guy. this is his time. What should Memphis fans expect from this new system and this new approach going forward? I don’t know because even that, you know, he only had nine games plus the playoff play in and playoffs to really So, you really don’t truly know yet. I do know they got the when they started playing the faster pace. That’s him. Also, he does do a lot of pick and roll. So, all that non pick and roll they running, that wasn’t him. That was, you know, Taylor Jenkins and two assistants got fired along with Taylor Jenkins. So I think uh Noah Lar Roach, he was the one who was doing the no pick and roll. And also Terry Jenkins, he was a lame duck coach. So he wasn’t about to let the new coach come in and just change every single thing. He kind of, you know, went awall a little bit on on Zack Clim. So I would say definitely expect um more the same. I think the thing is he’s a rookie coach, right? And that’s just a tough position to be in. So I came sure where I wanted me myself. Yes, I wanted I saw Mike Malone available. Yes, I’m on Mike Malone. I also ain’t too mad them just rolling with Tomas because I would say this and probably it was, you know, being the media, being in the room, Taylor Jenkins and that word salad, you know, it was just like, you know, you got tired of asking him questions. Tomas actually giving you real answers, sounding like a basketball coach, giving you real intellect on everything. So, I’m I’m willing to give him a shot. I think the only just the suckage part of it is you’re looking at this team as a team that’s ready to contend and him being a rookie coach. You just you’re like, “Dang, you probably prefer a veteran coach for this for the team that’s ready to contend.” But um that guy Anthony Sain has been saying lately most teams that been winning championships are going far. It’s a new coach like Steve Curry is the first time head coach when he took over Golden Go State. Um that’s actually a really good point. the guy OKC Mark Dagno nobody ever heard of him but he’s a heck of a coach right I did not believe that I did not right so it said Joe Missoula Boston first time head coach now that’s a heck of a team to come into but first time head coach nonetheless so it’s never really a retrade head coach that gets the team over the top anyway when he made that point I was like you making a lot of sense so I’m I’m not gonna be too mad at Eddie I would be interested to see who he adds to the coaching staff because I think that’s a big deal yeah I I love Anthony Carter on the I love what he’s doing there. It’ll be interesting to see. I do like I feel like Jaw really embraced it when Taylor Jenkins was let go. Um I feel like there was a different energy that he had because at that point we actually saw Jaw and that’s when we got the celebrations. That’s when we saw like what we were used to seeing. So maybe it’s a good thing that Tomas is in position now. We’ll be able to see the best of John Morant on the court. But what are your thoughts about that? Yes, I agree. I think what I want to see from him and that’s what we didn’t see and once again not enough time. We need to see the best of J and Jiren at the same time. It’s always one or the other or I remember game two is okay see when one of them had the ball at the top the other one was sitting in the corner and I was like we need to they two players like you got to you screen pick and pop something like you got to find a way integrate them together. So and once again that’s he ain’t have no time to do that and you know you’re getting pressure is John Mar. We need to get job and rent going because at the best version needs to be his best, right? So that’s what you truly focus on when he got the job. But need to find a way to get both of them going at the same time. Cuz I I I can’t I can’t get with the Oh, they don’t fit together. No, that’s a that’s a guarded big man. They you make a right coach. Yeah. Or right coach makes no fit. Taylor Jenkins definitely just never said that, right? I mean, they seem to figure it out, right? But even with that, now that the Memphis Grizzlies are out the playoffs, the playoffs still continue. LeBron is out. LeBron and the Lakers are out. Love it. It hurt my heart a little bit. I am a LeBron fan. I’m not a LeBron sexual, but I am a LeBron fan. I’m very, what’s the word I’m looking for? What’s the O word? Objective. I am objective. Okay. I’m I’m not just pure LeBron. I can call out when he’s wrong. I can call out when he needs to do better. With LeBron gone, the Lakers are gone, Luca’s gone, the Grizz are out, Detroit got eliminated. Who are you looking at in the NBA finals? And who do you think is going to win? Okay, I break this down. The team guess I’m really rooting for Jimmy But is my favorite player. Yes, I would love to see him get a ring. So, technically, I’m kind of rooting for him. Not full-blown like, oh yeah, let’s go Golden State, but right. Yes, I’d like to see my favorite player who’s been to the finals twice, came came up short both times to get him one. That’d be nice. And I like Steph Draymond, but you know, just take the good with the bad. You know, that Draymond in Memphis thing is weird. Hey, I I would love him on it. That’s one of them, you know, this player you hate to go against, but if he was on your team, I tell people that all the time. You want him on your team. He’s like a Pat Beverly. You don’t like him, but when he’s on your team, he’s a differencemaker. But go ahead, keep on cooking. Yeah, he was almost, you know, that he said that on his podcast he was about to come to Memphis then go to state brought it back. I was like that would have been perfect for Jiren. That would have been perfect tr John. Yes, it bro. But yeah, the team I’m expecting a lot of people been disrespecting OKC like like just like you know I don’t believe him. I think they get put out second round this that team is good man. I I could see them. Sure. The Clipper the Clippers specifically. I could see them giving a run. Even Minnesota, Anthony Elvis got them folks looking looking mad crazy right now. But I’m gonna believe in the team that came five games away from breaking the NBA record for most wins to make the finals. Now, I don’t know if I I don’t know if I’m pick to win it, but I got them making it. Okay, I want to pick Cleveland, but they going to have to prove it to me. I’m I’m going to pick Boston. I want Cleveland looks good, but I just feel like Boston going to turn it up when it’s time. And I know I agree with you. Don Mitchell can be the best player on the championship team. I’m with you. You mentioned Jimmy Butler. He’s by far one of my favorite players as well. I hated how the whole Miami situation turned out. I don’t I don’t believe in OKC. So, I’mma roll. I don’t believe in Minnesota right now. Although, as a team, they are deep. They looking good. They looking good. Rudy Rudy was out there looking like Will Chamberlain last night or the other night. no choice. Kind of had no choice. Smile like he better look like dead. Kissed it. I don’t know why he wasn’t doing this since game one, but neither here nor there. So, I’mma roll with um I’mma roll with Golden State. I ain’t mad at Golden State. It’s tough to say Golden State, but I just want to see Golden State because of Jimmy Butler. From the East, I don’t believe in Cleveland as good as they are. They have a two-headed monster at the top. That’s that’s everything. But again, you got to prove it to me. I got to see Boston lose. And every time Boston is is in a position to lose, they actually win. I feel like Gloria from White Man Can’t Jump. Now, when you lose, you really win. And when you win, you Yeah. All that stuff. But overall, I I’m going just put some money on the Warriors. I’m going to go to FanDuel, see what the odds are looking like. I’ll probably put it on Golden State, man. Cuz see, only thing that holds me back for Golden State right now. I I saw that, man. steps. I saw that picture his throne and it’s just like I don’t know if he gonna survive three more rounds um through that injury but especially because that’s and Jimmy Hoblin too is just Jimmy is hobbling because next round they will go against um and that don’t get no easier. That’s gonna be a good series. You know what? I ain’t even gonna put nothing on that right now. This the playoffs are like really good this year. I ain’t gonna hold you. That’s gonna be a trash talking series though. Godly. Oh, for sure. For sure. I I’m definitely going to be watching those games. All of them. Um, so let’s move on. We We kind of have an idea of who we going for for the finals. But this is a segment I I call three on three. These are three questions. You give me your three answers and we go from there. I This is the segment where I listen and I don’t judge. Um, so I’mma listen to you. I ain’t going to judge you. I may make an assessment, but I’m not going to judge you. So, number one, you got a new job. You’re replacing Zack Kimman as the GM of the Memphis Grizzlies. You got three offseason moves that you can make this season. What are those moves? All right. First move for one. Yep. It’s like you have moves in your head, but it’s so many. Definitely if I’m declining I’m looking I don’t have no trade off the top of my head but I’m looking to move Desmond Bane for a collection of players that can help you better. I did see an article the other day that came out that they may be looking into Damonte Sabonis and Lori Markin if I can get even Damonte Sabonis because his uh one thing I don’t like about Jiren playmaking from the big man position. Uh Sabon is going to rebound and he can man he can get you in position playmaking wise and him and Jiren could be a dangerous combo together and moving Zach Edi off the bench. I mean that’s that’s arguably the best front court rotation NBA but Lord Markin he he keeps you shooting. your shooting aspect and you have the tallest lineup ever. Like if Jaylen Wells be at the two at 68, Lori Markin, you have three seven foot two sevenfooters and a seven foot four. That’s uh so I would say look to trade bane for some player of that type not a smaller margin move but like like that another move use the finally use the mid-le exception either get I just say to kill Alexander Walker from Minnesota another 3 and D wing could come in and the last move I’m not necessarily a huge fan of Santi in the sense of paying him I don’t know how much he he’ll command he probably getting about sign and trade him. Well, that that’s tough because you got to wait one, you got to wait till you pick a team. Then when you pick a team, then you got to see if it’s somewhere on the somebody on the team you want and see if that team agrees to make the trade. So, it’s a lot of variables that go into that because you can’t choose the team. You got to he’s choosing his team, you know, before you make the move. So, that’s hard to think about that. But, that’s the move I look uh just see what team you choose and see if you can pull off a sign trade move with him. But yeah, those would be three moves that I would make this off season. Okay, I ain’t mad at that. I ain’t mad at I actually agree with all of those. Um, give me your top three Grizzly players of all time. This could be like players that you hold dear to your heart, not necessarily the best when it come to to the stats. Hell, it could be Shane Bettier for all I know. So, I’mma go legit the top three. legit top three. I mean, arguably, really, truth be told, John R’s the only superstar we’ve ever had. He’s gonna be in the top three, but not number one. Zack Randolph, he’s gonna always be number one. That that fourth quarter, game six against the Spurs, the first heated that first playoff win, first playoff series win, West Co’s finals appearance. Yeah, Zebo was a bully. Blake Griffin smoke. Yeah, he he won. I’m going to put job, man. that talent level. Even just he only won one playoff series so far, but just I I I saw him pull up 50 points in the playoff game, right? 44 point 46 points against Golden State. Like yeah, it’s hard. I I’m not f to say he’s not a top three. So I put him on number two. Number three is tough. And what’s crazy is I was never a pan I mean a fan of pals like that. And I was younger at that time. He was a finesse big. I’m used to tough like Zebo. I’m used to toughness. Yeah. But I can’t deny Pal’s accomplishments in Memphis. And yeah, the team around him just wasn’t good enough. He was never gonna be number one option on the contender team, but even the team around him was never good enough for him to truly blossom before. Of course, he went to the Lakers and blossom with Kobe. So I I’m going put P third. Although I didn’t care about him much while he was here, but just general sense. Yeah, I gotta give it to him. No, you didn’t break up. I think that was a trade if I remember correctly. He just got out He just got out of jail, too. Like not too far. He has a Netflix special coming out soon. I can’t wait till that show come out. I’m Me and Javaris, we’re from the same part of town in Atlanta. Show this from Atlanta. I’m trying to get my connects to line up something for for that. All right. And last but not least, because we’re in Memphis, we’re known for food. Memphis is known for their barbecue. But I just want to know what are your three favorite Memphis restaurants? There’s so many restaurants. I still don’t have a true answer. Uh it’s probably a restaurant I still haven’t tried yet to be honest with you. And I’ve been here my whole life. Um hey man, these are your favorite three. I know. But [Laughter] shoot type. I don’t go to the same restaurant, right? Like same. I go to different I don’t really like go to the same place like the same like a lot. Yeah. I don’t like chains. Yep. Right. So, I would go with number one, Sage. I already do like to go to Sage. Number two, I put this cuz me and my wife like to go there a lot. Mary go Mary goes. I haven’t been yet. It’s really good. And me and her like to go there a lot. And my last one, I probably say it got to be a wing spot. It got to be a wing spot. I’ll try to think which wing spot I choose. So, I’m going too much. I’m gonna insert my opinion here. So, I’m from Atlanta, of course. Yeah, I’m American Delhi when it come to Memphis. I don’t do crumpies. I don’t do ching. American deli. Cool. But it’s American deli for me. Spots. Crumpies is probably my favorite. Wing is so expensive. I mean, I love it, but that’s right. Wing Guru is very expensive. There’s no I can’t put Ring Guru. I mean, that that good, but that that price I have I don’t eat their mouth because the price is just like why is it $20 for 10 wings, right? Without fries. without fries. I got to buy them. 911 Wings is good, too. 911 Wings. Oh, no. Let me take Let me switch it. That was I couldn’t think of. I was like, “It’s a wings spot I love to go to.” Switch that. 911 Wings. That’s That’s my favorite. That’s the one I go to. Man, I I work at Raymond James, so they used to have uh well, there was a location downtown. Um I don’t know if it’s still there or not, but I would leave work, head right over there, get some wings. Lunch was good, man. And then food truck Thursdays. Oh yeah, I miss working downtown. I really do. I used to work downtown, too, man. But that’s all, man. I appreciate your top three on those three questions. I appreciate your insight on the Memphis Grizzlies. Always solid insight. I appreciate it. I’ve been following you for a while and we finally got a chance to connect on something um and make something happen. So, I appreciate your time. Any shouts out that you want to give? Anything you got coming up for Bluff City or LBR Media? Uh man, just shout out, man. Shout out to everybody who’s been following me throughout my journey since I started started LBR in 2017 I believe. Yeah. So I started that and got to where I got to now with covering the Grizzly. So man, shout out to everybody who’s been along for the journey. Um nothing really much coming up in season over. Um I still be doing the same thing I do at Blood City Media being on Anthony show. Um D grind twice a week. Um I I be still pushing out articles on billrebears.com. Um offseason don’t stop for that. So, it’s still we pushing content out. We’re right in the studio. I mean, nothing nothing really much uh truly coming up, but hey, just excited to chill a little bit for the offseason and get ready to see my favorite NFL team. Finally got a quarterback, Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans. Kind of excited. Okay. For the first time in a while with them, can you also let the people know where they can follow you on social media? Yep, man. Follow me. The one D A O N E_Phark mainly on Twitter. That’s the same on Instagram, but Twitter is where you gonna see me at the most. Instagram. I I mean, I pop in here and there, but Twitter is my main platform. I got to tap back in, man. Instagram is like pits. Yeah, vegetable sports is Twitter is I know Elon Mus took over, it got even more crazier, but it’s like it’s still until until everybody collectively shams, everybody collectively decide we’re going to Blue Sky, wherever thread. Blue Sky ain’t even a thing no more, man. See for real it ain’t even thought everybody was announcing that they were leaving X whatever ain’t left nobody left. I was like until Sean’s wear at the time but he not you know he not he not in that media space no more until them folks leave. I’m like ain’t no point of me leaving. I’m trying to do more on threads but it ain’t working. It’s back to X. So or Twitter. I call it Twitter. Your mama named you Twitter. I’mma call you Twitter. So cool. I appreciate you my man. Thanks for stopping by and uh we’ll see you next time. All right. All right, man. Appreciate it.
The Memphis Grizzlies are staring down a franchise-defining offseason. A new coach in Tuomas Iisalo. Ja Morant’s future up in the air. Young stars like GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. rising fast. So what now?
Chris Moore sits down with Bluff City Media’s Parish Sharkey to unpack it all: Do the Grizzlies rebuild, retool, or run it back? And most importantly—is it time to move on from a core member of the team?
We even put Parish in the GM seat and ask: If you were Zach Kleiman, what 3 moves would you make right now? Spoiler alert: one of them might involve shaking up the Big 3…
Hosted by: Chris Moore Featuring: Parish Sharkey (@lbrmedia)
Subscribe for more exclusive Grizzlies interviews, off-the-record insights, and smart hoops talk every week.
Memphis Grizzlies Offseason Starts Now: Blow It Up or Run It Back? #grizzlies #nba #nbatalk
Memphis Grizzlies Offseason Starts Now: Blow It Up or Run It Back? #grizzlies #nba #nbatalk
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. I don’t know what time it is where you are, but it is time for more insight. This is insight you can trust because there is more where it came from. I’m your host Chris Moore. Today with me, I have a special guest. We’re getting into all Grizzlies. Paris Sharky is in the building. He is the Grizzlies beat reporter, founder of LBR Media, one who’s tapped in with the Grizz, and he’s tapped in with the Grizz all season long. Appreciate you sliding through, fam. How you doing today, man? I’m doing good, man. How about you? Hey, man. I’m doing well. Um, that’s a lighter load for you. Um, the season is now over as a Memphis Grizzlies be reporter and a fan. So, how are you feeling? My feeling that’s a really good question on the fan side, you know, very very like salty feeling of how the season ended the whole last two months. Um, I feel like I I was a broken record. I even got booed at at a watch party for picking gold state to beat us at the playin game. I was like, you know, I haven’t seen them beat a team with a winning record since January. So, I’m not going to predict that they proceeded to lose every game to a team in the Western Conference when they win the record for the last three months. So, you know, as a fan, it was very tough. And it’s interesting that you say that because to me, the Memphis Grizzlies, so just to give you a little context, I’m born and raised in Atlanta. I’ve been in Memphis 5 years. So, Memphis Grizzlies have slowly grown on me. So, I am a fan die hard. No, but when it when they lose, I feel it. My son feels it. these three and he’s always asking me, “Dad, are the Grizzlies on tonight?” I’m like, “Nah, son. They at the playoffs. They lost.” And then he gets the sad face. And I said, “Hey, you and the entire city of Memphis feels the exact same way.” But the way I summed up the Memphis Grizzlies season is that it feels like it was a season in two parts. There was the beginning of the season where it was kind of bumpy, but then they kind of got along. They started doing well. But then on the back end, there’s a coaching change. Um, and it kind of just spirals downhill. So, how would you classify, give me an overall grade of the Memphis Grizzly season. Overall grade? Um, I got to give it below average. C minus. Got to give it a C minus. I just think coming into the season, I didn’t Some fans did have championship expectations. I would say I didn’t necessarily have a champ. I knew if things break right, yes, they can compete for a championship if John Morant is healthy for sure. and playing throughout the season, they go they could be content for a championship as long as he’s there and healthy, right? But um my thing was coming in I was never well I ain’t going to say never. After the Lakers series, I soured on Taylor Jenkins. I didn’t believe he was it. So he was still the coach coming into the season. So I didn’t have championship expectations. It was more, okay, he’s on the hot seat. If he don’t get to the second round, he’s getting fired. He end up getting fired before he got to the first round with nine games remaining, which was still a shock, but he was going to get fired and they probably still was going to end the season the exact same way with him coaching. So, it was just more I didn’t have a belief in him. I had a belief in the team, but coaching his deficiencies as a coach in my opinion still was going to hold him back at some point. But when you add in Job and Rand only playing 50 games, um, you got to add in Zack Climbing not bringing that veteran piece in, trading away. Mark with Marcus Smart being hurt, but then trading him away, not I’m a Jimmy Butler fan, so no rumors of potentially getting him. I wanted that to happen, of course, but also he would have really helped the team as he’s happy to go to state right now. But not making a move like that or even, you know, they maybe they maybe had attempted just didn’t happen, right? um not even getting that Dorian Finny Smith trade that was rumored that they was supposed to get him and he end up getting traded with Lakers. Even a simple move like that like that helps like him replacing Lucar who didn’t give you nothing at the end of the season. It just it was just too many variables to just everything went wrong at the wrong time. And the reason I give you a C minus is what I said earlier. their record against teams with a rent a record I want to say was like 12 and 24 or something total for the season and including OKC series they lost their last 14 games against a team in that conference teams that were the top seven who had a who had a winning record and then you add in the fact they were the two seed three seed most of the season you fall all the way down to eighth it can’t really get real fast so to that point what do you think was the best part of the Memphis Grizzlies season. Best parts, man. We’re at that first half of when they had the when we was talking about we were thinking we had the deepest team in the league just how when Gigi got hurt and Vince got hurt and then you had Jake Raia step up. Jayden Wales, he didn’t, you know, he didn’t supposed to, he weren’t even expected to play and he became the starting small forward and he didn’t miss a game until when he got hurt on that, you know, that crazy play when he went for the dunk. So like that that is supposed to happen and just for him step up. Although I was never a believer in Jacob Rayfield. I appreciate him stepping up and he he provides a good men for he was traded. Just a different out player. Scotty Pitman Jr. I was I was a fan of Hills after covering them last year. I knew he could provide something. A lot of fans kind of on Twitter was hard on him throughout the season, you know, his turnovers and different things like that. But at the end of the season, who was their who was their best player essentially in the last two playoff games? Yeah. Scotty Pipp. And the thing I like about Scotty, he had to grow. I feel like players like Scotty, the only way that he could get better is by actually playing. Him being on the bench does nothing for him because athletically I I heard you talk the other day, athletically he’s not that type of point guard, but he has basketball IQ, but the only way he can sharpen his basketball IQ and become more of an effective player is by playing. And I feel like he really stepped into a Taius Jones type of role, which is what Memphis has missed the last couple of years. Granted, you know, Taius hasn’t done what he thought he would probably do or what we expected him to do when he left. I feel like Scotty came in that role and feel that well feel that. Yep. Definitely. And like like that was perfect like perfect really um kind of conclusion to Scotty Pippen and what he has become like said that missing piece and what Ty Jones used to be. And to me he’s more of a cuz they’re different point guards, right? Ty Jones was a true point guard. Didn’t turn the ball. I mean, he never turned the ball over. And then Scotty, yeah, you know, he get he has a turnover issues a little bit, but he’s more of a combo guard. I compare him more as a mix of I always say the Grizz need to get a combination of Tus Jones and DeAnthony Melton. They need to get somebody to replace both of them as one position. And Scott P kind of is the one. He was the guy who like, all right, you turn them two players to one person. That was him. He he he became the player that you wanted that one person to be. So with the best of the season, what was your worst part of the season for the Memphis Grizzlies? The worst part I would say just the trade that trade deadline because it was you know you go into that and you because even in my opinion if they had just didn’t make any deal cuz Marcus Martin had finally came back from health and you had your full roster intact for the first time for that one game the day before the trade deadline against Toronto. If they had just stayed pack I would have been fine. But for you to I understand the move for contract purposes for the future Jiren Jackson potentially supermax contract negotiations coming up right if they decide to bring Santi back he’s a recent free agent things like that so I understood that from that standpoint but it does hinder you as well because Marcus Smart’s contract could have matched in trades that you really can’t even make right now unless you trade one of the big three well I don’t call the big three no more I call them core three. So you essentially got to trade Desmond Bang to make a significant move now. But if you had Marcus Smart’s contract, you still could have made a move where his contract could have matched up with someone else’s contract to make a deal happen. So the trade deadline that day, that trade happening, I mean, it was like 10 minutes before the actual deadline ended when that trade happened. Man, it like you said, it was one game that you could really see who you have on your team and see what they can do. And of course, one game is not enough. But one thing that you said that was interesting is that the top three players, you have Desmond Bane in position to where he may be the one on the outs. So if they kept if they keep John Morant, if they keep Desmond Bane and Jiren Jackson, do you believe in this core or is it time to move on? That’s a really good question. I’m inching towards I’m not believing in them anymore and it’s it’s just things we starting to see with deficiencies on it’s more it’s kind of goes back to the money because now all three of them are essentially get mass deals and I don’t know if you could surround their kind of different fits throughout because it’s starting to feel like and I be on Anthony Sain show every week and he’s been saying it for a while. I didn’t I don’t necessarily agree with him saying bring Dustin Bane off the bench. He said they need to get like another like a defensive shooting guard or three three and D KCP type not necessarily him himself but you know KCP maybe Jay Wells can slide up to two right and he was saying bring Dez and I was like Dez he can’t pay too much money to come off the bench he’s the highest paid player on the team currently so sure but if you got to do that I rather you trade him and get that player and get couple a couple of players you should be able to get a couple of different pieces that fits in. So, I’m not gonna say I’m truly out on them as a core, but the money makes me feel more out on them because it’s going to be more tough to try, especially in this new era, the second apron, all those things. It’s going to be much harder to try and fit pieces within them that would make them be the core that can put us over the top. You know how DEI is a trigger word? Second apron is a trigger word for me. CJ McCullum is always going to be on my list for being the president of the players association during this time when they negotiated that deal because this cap situation is ridiculous and I hate it. Yeah, I actually like initially I liked it because I thought it would help like a smaller market team. It was kind of meant to kind of help them but now it’s about to hurt a small market team a little too well. Um, a question for you. We talk about the players on the Grizzlies. Two players I was looking forward to this season. Gigi Jackson, Vince Williams. They basically had the green light last season. This season they came in and kind of had to adapt to the the change in the team because now Jaw is playing. Jaylen Wells is inserted. Jiren is flourishing. What happened with GG Jackson and Vince Williams? I know the injuries took a major part of the season, but from your from your angle, your perspective, what happened? It’s a mix of a lot. So the injuries did cuz I mean essentially they missed over half the season both of each and GG didn’t play his first game to January. Vincent played only three games. He got hurt returned got hurt again three games later and then returned right in February. So that’s tough on young players and then comparing to last year. Yeah. They were the guys. Now you got to fit in with the the big three who wasn’t available all collectively with y’all last year. Plus, you was playing on a team that wasn’t playing for anything last year, right? You’re inserting into a team that’s the number two seed, number three seed at the time. You come back from injury and now the GM trades Marcus Smart and Jack Ravier. Now, he got no choice but to play y’all. It’s just tough all around cuz now you got to adjust to a new role. Also, you’re still I don’t think Vince ever truly was he said I think even at his ex interview, he said he was only 80%. He never got to 100%. Never. And even GG, you come off a broken foot, you still necessarily didn’t really get back to your yet, they never really got the opportunity to get back to their full form. And it just wasn’t likely with this season just when you missed that much time, got to get reaclimated with the with the star players, new role, and a team that’s looking to win like in contention status. It was just a tough situation. They really we really needed them to be healthy in training camp. So, it was just unfortunate on that end. Yeah. Starting from the offseason last year, it was bad for Gigi. I remember him getting hurt. I remember him trying to come back and I know saw reports that mentally he was just kind of thrown off because he probably never had an injury like this. So trying to come back and he’s probably pushing himself to come back because he sees what the team is doing. He wants to help. Probably feel like he’s needed. But man, I I really hope that next season well I guess even to the point of next season are these two trade pieces or are they pieces that are essential for building the Grizzlies out? I think GG in my opinion is essential to keep. I would say I I kind of I’m not say I sour on Vince and defend yes we need to trade him but even during the season I started it already to say if you can make a trade if you saying y’all can get Jimmy Bolo Kevin Durant and if you saying Vince Williams Junior is the reason no n yeah n no n right man thing and my thing with him this is his I think that was just his third year he completed I come for the Memphis hustle his rookie year he only played seven games for the he was hurt throughout his rookie year he he only played seven games for the hustle Then even last year he got hurt. He got hurt the second half of the season. He missed. I think after all break I don’t think he played maybe a couple games. I think a lot of people don’t remember that he got his hot streak December and January and then Right. So it’s kind and then like this season I was like he’s starting to become an injury uh more of an injury concern that’s like very trend that I’m noticing. So you know he may be what he’s going to be. He no we just with him it’s hard to know but knowing that he wasn’t 100% that kind of lets me know that he’s kind of get back to that form that we saw from him last year but I wouldn’t I wouldn’t say he’s uh I wouldn’t say definitely all let’s trade him but even GG depending on the move if you really trying to win a championship I wouldn’t say no to I had to see the deal but I wouldn’t say no to one of them but GG I definitely specialize definitely keep him and develop him cuz he’s only 20 years old so I mean It’s kind of you got to give him a shot. I’m right there with you. I would hope just that we keep GG over Vince. Vince is solid. I ain’t going to hold you. Um, but speaking of, you know, players who are potentially leaving. Breaking news as of today. Tumas iso is the new head coach. He is official. They didn’t do much of a search at all, but I understand the circumstances. I understand, you know, Climate went overseas, recruited him, signed him. So, this is his guy. this is his time. What should Memphis fans expect from this new system and this new approach going forward? I don’t know because even that, you know, he only had nine games plus the playoff play in and playoffs to really So, you really don’t truly know yet. I do know they got the when they started playing the faster pace. That’s him. Also, he does do a lot of pick and roll. So, all that non pick and roll they running, that wasn’t him. That was, you know, Taylor Jenkins and two assistants got fired along with Taylor Jenkins. So I think uh Noah Lar Roach, he was the one who was doing the no pick and roll. And also Terry Jenkins, he was a lame duck coach. So he wasn’t about to let the new coach come in and just change every single thing. He kind of, you know, went awall a little bit on on Zack Clim. So I would say definitely expect um more the same. I think the thing is he’s a rookie coach, right? And that’s just a tough position to be in. So I came sure where I wanted me myself. Yes, I wanted I saw Mike Malone available. Yes, I’m on Mike Malone. I also ain’t too mad them just rolling with Tomas because I would say this and probably it was, you know, being the media, being in the room, Taylor Jenkins and that word salad, you know, it was just like, you know, you got tired of asking him questions. Tomas actually giving you real answers, sounding like a basketball coach, giving you real intellect on everything. So, I’m I’m willing to give him a shot. I think the only just the suckage part of it is you’re looking at this team as a team that’s ready to contend and him being a rookie coach. You just you’re like, “Dang, you probably prefer a veteran coach for this for the team that’s ready to contend.” But um that guy Anthony Sain has been saying lately most teams that been winning championships are going far. It’s a new coach like Steve Curry is the first time head coach when he took over Golden Go State. Um that’s actually a really good point. the guy OKC Mark Dagno nobody ever heard of him but he’s a heck of a coach right I did not believe that I did not right so it said Joe Missoula Boston first time head coach now that’s a heck of a team to come into but first time head coach nonetheless so it’s never really a retrade head coach that gets the team over the top anyway when he made that point I was like you making a lot of sense so I’m I’m not gonna be too mad at Eddie I would be interested to see who he adds to the coaching staff because I think that’s a big deal yeah I I love Anthony Carter on the I love what he’s doing there. It’ll be interesting to see. I do like I feel like Jaw really embraced it when Taylor Jenkins was let go. Um I feel like there was a different energy that he had because at that point we actually saw Jaw and that’s when we got the celebrations. That’s when we saw like what we were used to seeing. So maybe it’s a good thing that Tomas is in position now. We’ll be able to see the best of John Morant on the court. But what are your thoughts about that? Yes, I agree. I think what I want to see from him and that’s what we didn’t see and once again not enough time. We need to see the best of J and Jiren at the same time. It’s always one or the other or I remember game two is okay see when one of them had the ball at the top the other one was sitting in the corner and I was like we need to they two players like you got to you screen pick and pop something like you got to find a way integrate them together. So and once again that’s he ain’t have no time to do that and you know you’re getting pressure is John Mar. We need to get job and rent going because at the best version needs to be his best, right? So that’s what you truly focus on when he got the job. But need to find a way to get both of them going at the same time. Cuz I I I can’t I can’t get with the Oh, they don’t fit together. No, that’s a that’s a guarded big man. They you make a right coach. Yeah. Or right coach makes no fit. Taylor Jenkins definitely just never said that, right? I mean, they seem to figure it out, right? But even with that, now that the Memphis Grizzlies are out the playoffs, the playoffs still continue. LeBron is out. LeBron and the Lakers are out. Love it. It hurt my heart a little bit. I am a LeBron fan. I’m not a LeBron sexual, but I am a LeBron fan. I’m very, what’s the word I’m looking for? What’s the O word? Objective. I am objective. Okay. I’m I’m not just pure LeBron. I can call out when he’s wrong. I can call out when he needs to do better. With LeBron gone, the Lakers are gone, Luca’s gone, the Grizz are out, Detroit got eliminated. Who are you looking at in the NBA finals? And who do you think is going to win? Okay, I break this down. The team guess I’m really rooting for Jimmy But is my favorite player. Yes, I would love to see him get a ring. So, technically, I’m kind of rooting for him. Not full-blown like, oh yeah, let’s go Golden State, but right. Yes, I’d like to see my favorite player who’s been to the finals twice, came came up short both times to get him one. That’d be nice. And I like Steph Draymond, but you know, just take the good with the bad. You know, that Draymond in Memphis thing is weird. Hey, I I would love him on it. That’s one of them, you know, this player you hate to go against, but if he was on your team, I tell people that all the time. You want him on your team. He’s like a Pat Beverly. You don’t like him, but when he’s on your team, he’s a differencemaker. But go ahead, keep on cooking. Yeah, he was almost, you know, that he said that on his podcast he was about to come to Memphis then go to state brought it back. I was like that would have been perfect for Jiren. That would have been perfect tr John. Yes, it bro. But yeah, the team I’m expecting a lot of people been disrespecting OKC like like just like you know I don’t believe him. I think they get put out second round this that team is good man. I I could see them. Sure. The Clipper the Clippers specifically. I could see them giving a run. Even Minnesota, Anthony Elvis got them folks looking looking mad crazy right now. But I’m gonna believe in the team that came five games away from breaking the NBA record for most wins to make the finals. Now, I don’t know if I I don’t know if I’m pick to win it, but I got them making it. Okay, I want to pick Cleveland, but they going to have to prove it to me. I’m I’m going to pick Boston. I want Cleveland looks good, but I just feel like Boston going to turn it up when it’s time. And I know I agree with you. Don Mitchell can be the best player on the championship team. I’m with you. You mentioned Jimmy Butler. He’s by far one of my favorite players as well. I hated how the whole Miami situation turned out. I don’t I don’t believe in OKC. So, I’mma roll. I don’t believe in Minnesota right now. Although, as a team, they are deep. They looking good. They looking good. Rudy Rudy was out there looking like Will Chamberlain last night or the other night. no choice. Kind of had no choice. Smile like he better look like dead. Kissed it. I don’t know why he wasn’t doing this since game one, but neither here nor there. So, I’mma roll with um I’mma roll with Golden State. I ain’t mad at Golden State. It’s tough to say Golden State, but I just want to see Golden State because of Jimmy Butler. From the East, I don’t believe in Cleveland as good as they are. They have a two-headed monster at the top. That’s that’s everything. But again, you got to prove it to me. I got to see Boston lose. And every time Boston is is in a position to lose, they actually win. I feel like Gloria from White Man Can’t Jump. Now, when you lose, you really win. And when you win, you Yeah. All that stuff. But overall, I I’m going just put some money on the Warriors. I’m going to go to FanDuel, see what the odds are looking like. I’ll probably put it on Golden State, man. Cuz see, only thing that holds me back for Golden State right now. I I saw that, man. steps. I saw that picture his throne and it’s just like I don’t know if he gonna survive three more rounds um through that injury but especially because that’s and Jimmy Hoblin too is just Jimmy is hobbling because next round they will go against um and that don’t get no easier. That’s gonna be a good series. You know what? I ain’t even gonna put nothing on that right now. This the playoffs are like really good this year. I ain’t gonna hold you. That’s gonna be a trash talking series though. Godly. Oh, for sure. For sure. I I’m definitely going to be watching those games. All of them. Um, so let’s move on. We We kind of have an idea of who we going for for the finals. But this is a segment I I call three on three. These are three questions. You give me your three answers and we go from there. I This is the segment where I listen and I don’t judge. Um, so I’mma listen to you. I ain’t going to judge you. I may make an assessment, but I’m not going to judge you. So, number one, you got a new job. You’re replacing Zack Kimman as the GM of the Memphis Grizzlies. You got three offseason moves that you can make this season. What are those moves? All right. First move for one. Yep. It’s like you have moves in your head, but it’s so many. Definitely if I’m declining I’m looking I don’t have no trade off the top of my head but I’m looking to move Desmond Bane for a collection of players that can help you better. I did see an article the other day that came out that they may be looking into Damonte Sabonis and Lori Markin if I can get even Damonte Sabonis because his uh one thing I don’t like about Jiren playmaking from the big man position. Uh Sabon is going to rebound and he can man he can get you in position playmaking wise and him and Jiren could be a dangerous combo together and moving Zach Edi off the bench. I mean that’s that’s arguably the best front court rotation NBA but Lord Markin he he keeps you shooting. your shooting aspect and you have the tallest lineup ever. Like if Jaylen Wells be at the two at 68, Lori Markin, you have three seven foot two sevenfooters and a seven foot four. That’s uh so I would say look to trade bane for some player of that type not a smaller margin move but like like that another move use the finally use the mid-le exception either get I just say to kill Alexander Walker from Minnesota another 3 and D wing could come in and the last move I’m not necessarily a huge fan of Santi in the sense of paying him I don’t know how much he he’ll command he probably getting about sign and trade him. Well, that that’s tough because you got to wait one, you got to wait till you pick a team. Then when you pick a team, then you got to see if it’s somewhere on the somebody on the team you want and see if that team agrees to make the trade. So, it’s a lot of variables that go into that because you can’t choose the team. You got to he’s choosing his team, you know, before you make the move. So, that’s hard to think about that. But, that’s the move I look uh just see what team you choose and see if you can pull off a sign trade move with him. But yeah, those would be three moves that I would make this off season. Okay, I ain’t mad at that. I ain’t mad at I actually agree with all of those. Um, give me your top three Grizzly players of all time. This could be like players that you hold dear to your heart, not necessarily the best when it come to to the stats. Hell, it could be Shane Bettier for all I know. So, I’mma go legit the top three. legit top three. I mean, arguably, really, truth be told, John R’s the only superstar we’ve ever had. He’s gonna be in the top three, but not number one. Zack Randolph, he’s gonna always be number one. That that fourth quarter, game six against the Spurs, the first heated that first playoff win, first playoff series win, West Co’s finals appearance. Yeah, Zebo was a bully. Blake Griffin smoke. Yeah, he he won. I’m going to put job, man. that talent level. Even just he only won one playoff series so far, but just I I I saw him pull up 50 points in the playoff game, right? 44 point 46 points against Golden State. Like yeah, it’s hard. I I’m not f to say he’s not a top three. So I put him on number two. Number three is tough. And what’s crazy is I was never a pan I mean a fan of pals like that. And I was younger at that time. He was a finesse big. I’m used to tough like Zebo. I’m used to toughness. Yeah. But I can’t deny Pal’s accomplishments in Memphis. And yeah, the team around him just wasn’t good enough. He was never gonna be number one option on the contender team, but even the team around him was never good enough for him to truly blossom before. Of course, he went to the Lakers and blossom with Kobe. So I I’m going put P third. Although I didn’t care about him much while he was here, but just general sense. Yeah, I gotta give it to him. No, you didn’t break up. I think that was a trade if I remember correctly. He just got out He just got out of jail, too. Like not too far. He has a Netflix special coming out soon. I can’t wait till that show come out. I’m Me and Javaris, we’re from the same part of town in Atlanta. Show this from Atlanta. I’m trying to get my connects to line up something for for that. All right. And last but not least, because we’re in Memphis, we’re known for food. Memphis is known for their barbecue. But I just want to know what are your three favorite Memphis restaurants? There’s so many restaurants. I still don’t have a true answer. Uh it’s probably a restaurant I still haven’t tried yet to be honest with you. And I’ve been here my whole life. Um hey man, these are your favorite three. I know. But [Laughter] shoot type. I don’t go to the same restaurant, right? Like same. I go to different I don’t really like go to the same place like the same like a lot. Yeah. I don’t like chains. Yep. Right. So, I would go with number one, Sage. I already do like to go to Sage. Number two, I put this cuz me and my wife like to go there a lot. Mary go Mary goes. I haven’t been yet. It’s really good. And me and her like to go there a lot. And my last one, I probably say it got to be a wing spot. It got to be a wing spot. I’ll try to think which wing spot I choose. So, I’m going too much. I’m gonna insert my opinion here. So, I’m from Atlanta, of course. Yeah, I’m American Delhi when it come to Memphis. I don’t do crumpies. I don’t do ching. American deli. Cool. But it’s American deli for me. Spots. Crumpies is probably my favorite. Wing is so expensive. I mean, I love it, but that’s right. Wing Guru is very expensive. There’s no I can’t put Ring Guru. I mean, that that good, but that that price I have I don’t eat their mouth because the price is just like why is it $20 for 10 wings, right? Without fries. without fries. I got to buy them. 911 Wings is good, too. 911 Wings. Oh, no. Let me take Let me switch it. That was I couldn’t think of. I was like, “It’s a wings spot I love to go to.” Switch that. 911 Wings. That’s That’s my favorite. That’s the one I go to. Man, I I work at Raymond James, so they used to have uh well, there was a location downtown. Um I don’t know if it’s still there or not, but I would leave work, head right over there, get some wings. Lunch was good, man. And then food truck Thursdays. Oh yeah, I miss working downtown. I really do. I used to work downtown, too, man. But that’s all, man. I appreciate your top three on those three questions. I appreciate your insight on the Memphis Grizzlies. Always solid insight. I appreciate it. I’ve been following you for a while and we finally got a chance to connect on something um and make something happen. So, I appreciate your time. Any shouts out that you want to give? Anything you got coming up for Bluff City or LBR Media? Uh man, just shout out, man. Shout out to everybody who’s been following me throughout my journey since I started started LBR in 2017 I believe. Yeah. So I started that and got to where I got to now with covering the Grizzly. So man, shout out to everybody who’s been along for the journey. Um nothing really much coming up in season over. Um I still be doing the same thing I do at Blood City Media being on Anthony show. Um D grind twice a week. Um I I be still pushing out articles on billrebears.com. Um offseason don’t stop for that. So, it’s still we pushing content out. We’re right in the studio. I mean, nothing nothing really much uh truly coming up, but hey, just excited to chill a little bit for the offseason and get ready to see my favorite NFL team. Finally got a quarterback, Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans. Kind of excited. Okay. For the first time in a while with them, can you also let the people know where they can follow you on social media? Yep, man. Follow me. The one D A O N E_Phark mainly on Twitter. That’s the same on Instagram, but Twitter is where you gonna see me at the most. Instagram. I I mean, I pop in here and there, but Twitter is my main platform. I got to tap back in, man. Instagram is like pits. Yeah, vegetable sports is Twitter is I know Elon Mus took over, it got even more crazier, but it’s like it’s still until until everybody collectively shams, everybody collectively decide we’re going to Blue Sky, wherever thread. Blue Sky ain’t even a thing no more, man. See for real it ain’t even thought everybody was announcing that they were leaving X whatever ain’t left nobody left. I was like until Sean’s wear at the time but he not you know he not he not in that media space no more until them folks leave. I’m like ain’t no point of me leaving. I’m trying to do more on threads but it ain’t working. It’s back to X. So or Twitter. I call it Twitter. Your mama named you Twitter. I’mma call you Twitter. So cool. I appreciate you my man. Thanks for stopping by and uh we’ll see you next time. All right. All right, man. Appreciate it.
The Memphis Grizzlies are staring down a franchise-defining offseason. A new coach in Tuomas Iisalo. Ja Morant’s future up in the air. Young stars like GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. rising fast. So what now?
Chris Moore sits down with Bluff City Media’s Parish Sharkey to unpack it all:
Do the Grizzlies rebuild, retool, or run it back?
And most importantly—is it time to move on from a core member of the team?
We even put Parish in the GM seat and ask: If you were Zach Kleiman, what 3 moves would you make right now?
Spoiler alert: one of them might involve shaking up the Big 3…
Hosted by: Chris Moore
Featuring: Parish Sharkey (@lbrmedia)
Subscribe for more exclusive Grizzlies interviews, off-the-record insights, and smart hoops talk every week.
#Grizzlies #NBAOffseason #MemphisGrizzlies #JaMorant #GGJackson #MooreInsight #NBA #BluffCityMedia
Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns CAN’T AFFORD Brian Gregory To Fail
Ric says LeBron should join Knicks or Mavs, Paul thinks JJ dissed Luka & Popovich steps down | SPEAK