Your Memphis Grizzlies Basketball Thread III

#2,589
#2,589
How did ya'll become grizzly fans, anyhow? I know its not the connection to Vancouver, obviously.

I've always been under the assumption that UofT fans considered Memphis to be de facto Mississippi.

Is it just because the team is in state, or is it something more?

Believe me, I'm not trying to offend. I understand Memphis has a legendary street ball history, and all that..but who are you guys, and why do you root for the grizz?
 
#2,590
#2,590
apevol said:
How did ya'll become grizzly fans, anyhow? I know its not the connection to Vancouver, obviously.

I've always been under the assumption that UofT fans considered Memphis to be de facto Mississippi.

Is it just because the team is in state, or is it something more?

Believe me, I'm not trying to offend. I understand Memphis has a legendary street ball history, and all that..but who are you guys, and why do you root for the grizz?
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I'm from Oak Ridge, which is in East Tennessee. I grew up thinking Memphis sucks, like everyone else in the Eastern part of the state. My wife and I met at UT and we ended up moving to Memphis. Local show had a call-in contest to help rename the Grizz. I called in and said they should be called the Memphis Chapter 13s. Only call they took..
Soon after, I realized how cool this city really is. Nothing like my expectations. Decided to watch a few Grizz games and it's been history ever since. I get third row tickets from my company often enough to keep me happy.
 
#2,591
#2,591
MphsBlues said:
I'm from Oak Ridge, which is in East Tennessee. I grew up thinking Memphis sucks, like everyone else in the Eastern part of the state. My wife and I met at UT and we ended up moving to Memphis. Local show had a call-in contest to help rename the Grizz. I called in and said they should be called the Memphis Chapter 13s. Only call they took..
Soon after, I realized how cool this city really is. Nothing like my expectations. Decided to watch a few Grizz games and it's been history ever since. I get third row tickets from my company often enough to keep me happy.
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I was born in Oak Ridge. Live near Philly now. I really miss East Tennessee. I've been to Memphis, but never did more than pass through, really. I've got a friend from Chicago, he said his brother lived in Memphis for awhile, and he said he loved the damn place.

There's definitely a huge disconnect between Knoxville and Memphis, and I'm not sure if there should be.
 
#2,592
#2,592
I liked the NBA was back in the Penny Hardaway/Grandmama days(Hornets and Magic were cool back when I was a kid). I lost interest for a good while. I got back into the NBA when Memphis got the Grizz.
 
#2,594
#2,594
Yankee_Vol said:
I liked the NBA was back in the Penny Hardaway/Grandmama days(Hornets and Magic were cool back when I was a kid). I lost interest for a good while. I got back into the NBA when Memphis got the Grizz.
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Why, though? Was it just because it was a team in TN, or something more? Any connection to Memphis?

A LOT of vol fans have 0 connection to the west side of the state, and can't really understand it.

I'm not saying I have any bias against Memphis, but it has always been so far away, and really doesn't seem like the same culture.

Maybe we should be more inclusive, and more proud of our diverse culture, I don't know.

I identify only with East Tennessee.
 
#2,595
#2,595
apevol said:
Why, though? Was it just because it was a team in TN, or something more? Any connection to Memphis?

A LOT of vol fans have 0 connection to the west side of the state, and can't really understand it.

I'm not saying I have any bias against Memphis, but it has always been so far away, and really doesn't seem like the same culture.

Maybe we should be more inclusive, and more proud of our diverse culture, I don't know.

I identify only with East Tennessee.
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That's you. I can identify with the whole state. Plus you can't have BBQ without Memphis.

I have almost zero connection with the state period. I moved away from TN when I was 5. Spent the next 13+ years in NY. I used to go back every summer but that's it.
 
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#2,596
#2,596
And if you "identify" with east TN, why the hell are you a OKC fan?

That makes less sense than a Tennessean being a fan of the Grizz.
 
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#2,597
#2,597
Every city in this state is unique in it's own way. Memphis is the most different from the other 3. I grew up not appreciating Memphis and never really appreciated it until my later teen years. Most of the East Tennesseans are ignorant about Memphis, sorry to say. And I will go on the record and say that Memphis is a lot more fun than Knoxville, with the exception of 6-8 Saturdays. Knoxville is a fun place to visit and I love East TN and it's beauty.
 
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#2,598
#2,598
Yankee_Vol said:
And if you "identify" with east TN, why the hell are you a OKC fan?

That makes less sense than a Tennessean being a fan of the Grizz.
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When I was a kid my favorite player was Gary Payton. I tried extremely hard not to be a OKC fan, but I got to see Durant live in Thompson Boling, and he was drafted by Seattle. That's pretty much it. May be weak, but whatever. I'm not judging you guys.
 
#2,599
#2,599
gordonr24 said:
Every city in this state is unique in it's own way. Memphis is the most different from the other 3. I grew up not appreciating Memphis and never really appreciated it until my later teen years. Most of the East Tennesseans are ignorant about Memphis, sorry to say. And I will go on the record and say that Memphis is a lot more fun than Knoxville, with the exception of 6-8 Saturdays. Knoxville is a fun place to visit and I love East TN and it's beauty.
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To be fair, Knoxville is only the gateway to the beauty of east Tennessee. Hell, Chattanooga is probably a more beautiful city. Regardless, the area surrounding Knoxville is irreplaceable by any standard.

I understand completely what you're saying, though. But how did you come to know that city? And to love it?

FWIW I think this dynamic is ultimately infinitely beneficial to UT, in that it seems there is a closer link between the big 3 cities of TN now, than there ever has been before.
 
#2,600
#2,600
I support the grizzlies because memphis is in Tennessee. Tennessee is the greatest state in America. Therefore the Grizz are the best team in America.
 
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