The Oklahoma City Thunder gave the Memphis Grizzlies an old-fashioned beatdown on Sunday evening, 124-93.
It wasn’t surprising for the number-one team in the Western Conference to embarrass a team that has been without key players. The Thunder also recalls the 152-79 humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Grizzlies in December 2021, the largest winning margin in NBA history.
The Grizzlies had a total of 10 players on the injured list, as the team has been short-handed much of the season. Desmond Bane remains out with a sprained left ankle. Marcus Smart is still out with an injured finger on his right hand. Plus Ja Morant is out for the season due to shoulder surgery, among other injuries for Memphis.
The Thunder were up by as many as 38 points in the second half. OKC converted 21 three-point shots compared to the Grizzlies with just 11 threes.
As a starter, Rookie GG Jackson II led the Grizzlies with a career-high 30 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Jackson II is emerging as a longterm asset for Memphis as the youngest player in the NBA at 19 years old. In 31 games this season, he is averaging 11.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 21.2 minutes.
Jaren Jackson Jr. added 16 for Memphis. Jackson Jr. has played in 57 games this season, the most by any current player on the roster. The 24-year-old is averaging 22.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on the season.
Jake LaRavia continues to show improvement during his extended play. LaRavia finished with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, four assists, and two steals with his first career start for Memphis. Over his last eight outings, LaRavia is averaging 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 24.7 minutes of play.
Newcomer DeJon Jarreau who signed a 10-day contract with Memphis on Saturday chipped in seven points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 28 minutes of action.
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) March 10, 2024
On Tuesday night, the Grizzlies will host the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. CT. Tyus Jones, who was traded from the Grizzlies last summer, will be making his first visit to Memphis. The Grizzlies look to even the series after a 113-106 loss back in October 2023.
The announcement of a controversial guest’s appearance on the University of Memphis’ campus has caused an uproar on social media, with many saying that they intend to protest the event.
The University of Memphis’ chapter of Turning Point USA announced it will be hosting “The Rittenhouse Recap,” featuring Kyle Rittenhouse on March 20th.
“Join us at The University of Memphis as Kyle Rittenhouse speaks about the importance of the Second Amendment, and the lies of BLM [Black Lives Matter,]” the event page says.
Rittenhouse gained notoriety in 2020, when at the age of 17 he shot three men — killing two — in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during civil rights protests. He was acquitted in November 2021, after claiming self-defense.
Not everyone was upset about Rittenhouse’s appearance. Some expressed excitement, and applauded the conservative group for its plans to host him on campus. “I signed up. Excited to see him!!!” a user named Jim Prudhomme commented on Facebook.
A user by the name of Rebecca French Edwards shared the event, stating “Get your tix and show up to support this patriot. The coward cancel culture is trying to sign up for all the tix to keep them from those who support Patriots.”
While some believe that Rittenhouse’s appearance is an exercise in freedom of speech, others have expressed their disdain and anger about the event.
“As an alumni of U of Memphis, this is beyond shameful and disgusting,” Instagram user @foner.w commented under the original post. “Y’all deserve nothing but condemnation. No space or quarter will ever be given for racism or fascism to be platformed or speak freely at the U of M. People will not stand for this or allow this to happen, period.”
The user went on to post a comment, which was hidden by the owner of the page, that Rittenhouse’s appearance in a city with such a rich history would be “beyond disrespectful,” and that citizens “have a right to call for action and protest this event.”
Tami Sawyer, newly selected Democratic nominee for Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk, took to her social media platforms to ask the public to contact university president Bill Hardgrave and chief of staff Stephanie Beasley about “how [they] feel about Rittenhouse speaking at OUR school.”
“The University of Memphis, my double Alma Mater, where my mother was arrested as a student for protesting segregation. A school in a city that is majority Black. You’re allowing a racist and murderer to speak on campus @uofmemphis?” Sawyer said in a tweet.
Following the announcement, an Instagram page was created — @tpusa_protest_uofm. It encourages people to reserve tickets for the event but not show up: “Get your free tickets to Kyle’s show at uofm. Help us show our disapproval by making his event a no show, sell out!”
Rittenhouse is apparently aware of the protest and responded on X, stating, “I saw this today and the first thing I remember is that they tried this last month when I spoke at ETSU. The left failed at attempting to cancel me and they will fail again!”
The University of Memphis has released the following statement: ‘The upcoming event at the University of Memphis featuring Kyle Rittenhouse is not sponsored by the University. A registered student organization, University of Memphis TPUSA, is hosting the event. Under the First Amendment and Tennessee’s Campus Free Speech Act, the University of Memphis cannot legally prohibit such events from being hosted by a registered student organization.”
The National Civil Rights Museum hosted the first of the four-part national convening, “The Reckoning: Community Policing and Accountability” on March 30, weeks after Tyre Nichols’ death. Panelists (l-r) included: U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, sponsor of the George Floyd Act (TX)’ Alex Vitale, professor and coordinator of Policing and Social Justice Project; Cheryl Dorsey, retired LAPD sergeant and social justice advocate; moderator Joy Ann Reid, host of MSNBC’s The Reid Out”; Benjamin Crump, civil rights attorney and Wells’ family counsel; RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, parents of Tyre Nichols.
The National Civil Rights Museum will host the fourth and final national convening, entitled “The Resilience: Combatting Police Violence through Policy and Public Safety,” on March 22, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Renasant Convention Center. As part of “The Reckoning, The Resolve, The Restoration, and The Resilience” series, the museum brings together thought leaders, policymakers, surviving families, and activists to examine the historical connections of systemic racial violence and find solutions for today’s challenges.
“The Resilience symposium is the apex of collaboration among thought leaders and activists whose commitment to public safety, justice, and dignity are born out of love for our communities,” said Museum President, Dr. Russ Wigginton. “Through tough conversations, smart strategies, and ultimate determination, we are destined to build a better world for our children, but we must begin now.”
During the symposium, participants will offer strategies and solutions to tackle police violence through policy-driven, community-led, and trauma-informed alternatives to traditional public safety methods. The event includes an opening panel, facilitated sessions, and a lunch roundtable discussion.
The event format includes:
Opening Panel – From Pain to Purpose: The Courageous Activism of Police Violence Victims. The panel includes Rodney and RowVaughn Wells, parents of Tyre Nichols; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd. CNN political commentator and author, Symone Sanders Townsend, is the panel moderator.
Facilitated Session I – Enhancing Public Safety through Community-Led & Trauma-Informed Alternatives. This session is led by Eric Cumberbatch of the Center for Policy Equity in New York City. His extensive portfolio of work is focused on undoing the impact of white supremacy in Black communities and placing power in the hands of the most vulnerable people.
Facilitated Session II – Advocating for Police Reform through Effective Policy Solutions. This session is facilitated by Rashawn Ray, professor, author, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and executive director of the AIR Equity Initiative which collaboratively focuses on developing strategies to mitigate the harm caused by segregated communities with emphasis on education, workforce, safety, and health equity.
Lunch Roundtable – Ending Police Violence: Strategies for Cross-Sector Collaboration. The luncheon panel includes Derrick Johnson, National President of NAACP, Raumesh Akbari, Tennessee State Senator, and is moderated by Symone Sanders Townsend.
“In the face of adversity, resilience is not merely enduring; it’s about standing firm, adapting, and advocating for change. It’s the unwavering commitment to justice, the courage to confront systemic issues, and the determination to build a safer and more equitable future for all,” said Veda Ajamu, Managing Director, DEI Programs and Community Engagement.
The museum has launched this collaborative effort to include a broad spectrum of citizens from many disciplines, industries, and roles to root out the causes at a systemic level. National and local leaders committed to seeing change in their communities and enhancing relationships between citizens and law enforcement are strongly encouraged to attend. The four-part, national convening series — The Reckoning, The Resolve, The Reconciliation, and The Resilience — is made possible by the support of FedEx, Cummins, and The Kresge Foundation. For tickets and more information, visit civilrightsmuseum.org.
Part 3 of 4 the museum’s national convenings on September 6, “The Restoration: Community Healing for Solutions to Police Violence,” panelist Eric Cumberbatch of the Center for Policing Equity, discusses practical solutions implemented in New York City. Cumberbatch will also lead a facilitate session during The Resilience on March 22.
This article is sponsored by National Civil Rights Museum.
Karen Carrier has heard that phrase more than once during her long, fascinating career.
If you’ve ever wondered about all the hair dryers in Cooper-Young’s Beauty Shop Restaurant, Carrier gives you the lowdown in the final We Saw You episode featuring the Memphis restaurateur/artist. And as a bonus, you’ll hear the history of her underground music club, Bar DKDC.
We’ll be back with more interviews with interesting Memphians and Mid-Southerners soon on We Saw You. But first, here’s Karen.
Jaren Jackson Jr. goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks. (Photo: Wes Hale Photo)
After winning their last two games, the Grizzlies have ended their short-lived winning streak. The final score was 99-92, with neither team putting up a particularly impressive offensive effort. It marks the 15th game of the season that Memphis has failed to score over 100 points, all of which ended in a loss.
Let’s get into it.
The Grizzlies had led by as many as 14 points but were overpowered by Atlanta.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has returned to the lineup for Memphis for the second game after missing three games due to tendonitis in his right quadriceps. Unfortunately, his presence was not enough to help power the Grizzlies to a win.
Dejounte Murray caught fire offensively, with a game-high 41 points on 17 of 25 shooting overall and six of ten from beyond the arc. Memphis had no answers for Murray defensively.
In the head-to-head matchup, the Hawks led the game in field goal shooting (42.5 percent to 40.5 percent) and three-point shooting (42.9 percent to 38.5 percent), even while the Grizzlies were able to convert 16 Atlanta turnovers into 21 points.
Despite that, Memphis ended up with 13 fewer field goal attempts, although they got to the free throw line twice as many times as Atlanta (30 to 15).
The Grizzlies had five players who ended the night in double figures.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Vince Williams Jr. put up 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, and one block while shooting four of eight overall and three of five from three-point range.
Santi Aldama added 13 points, five rebounds, one steal, and three blocks while shooting five of seven overall and two of three from beyond the arc.
Jake LaRavia led the bench with 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block.
Lamar Stevens closed out with 13 points, five rebounds, one steal, and two blocks.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies are hitting the road for one game, heading to Oklahoma City to take on the Western Conference-leading Thunder on Sunday, March 10th. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. CDT.
Daylight savings time begins this weekend, so don’t forget to spring forward and set your clocks ahead on Sunday.
In this We Saw You episode, Karen Carrier, the Memphis artist and restaurateur who owns Beauty Shop Restaurant, DKDC, Mollie Fontaine Lounge, and Another Roadside Attraction catering, talks about meeting her husband, the late Bob Carrier. “I go to to New York to meet a guy from Memphis,” she says.
Rodney and RowVaughn Wells, parents of the late Tyre Nichols, at a Monday press conference speaking out against a bill to overrule a local government measure to limit traffic stops of the type that resulted in Nichols' death. (Photo: John Partipilo, Tennessee Lookout)
Promises, promises. This wouldn’t be the first time they’re broken.
Rep. John Gillespie (R-Bartlett) swore on the House floor Thursday he didn’t tell the family of slain motorist Tyre Nichols’ he would postpone a policing bill they oppose until next week when they could return to the Capitol. That claim brought an accusation from Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis) that Gillespie lied to the family (and a subsequent rebuke that amounted to nothing).
Nichols’ parents, Rodney and RowVaughn Wells, also sent out a statement Thursday urging Senators to vote against the bill when it reaches the upper chamber and reiterated what Pearson said, that Gillespie told them not to visit Nashville because he didn’t plan to bring the bill to the floor.
The Wellses visited the legislature Monday lobbying against Gillespie’s bill, which would turn back a Memphis City Council ordinance designed to prevent police officers from making “pretextual” stops such as pulling over motorists for a bad tail light. The Wellses believe their son, Tyre, would be alive if such an ordinance had been in place in January 2023 when police stopped him and beat him (the incident is on video). He later died.
Gillespie responded by postponing the bill until Thursday and attaching an amendment — which is usually a no-no on the floor — making the bill apply only to “pretextual” stops. In other words, police would still make them in Memphis and statewide.
Several Memphis Democrats questioned whether he told the Wellses he would delay the bill until they could return to the Capitol, which is more than three hours from Memphis.
Rodney and RowVaughn Wells, parents of the late Tyre Nichols, at a Monday press conference speaking out against a bill to overrule a local government measure to limit traffic stops of the type that resulted in Nichols’ death. (Photo: John Partipilo, Tennessee Lookout)“They were told it would be presented next Thursday. John lied to them,” said Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) of Rep. John Gillespie. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)Rep. Gloria Johnson hugs RowVaughn Wells, mother of the late Tyre Nichols. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Gillespie contended his community is “begging” for safer streets and refused to give in, saying the bill needed to pass immediately to cut Memphis crime.
Afterward, he said he texted Mr. Wells during Thursday’s session to let him know he was moving forward with the bill and received no response.
“I feel horrible that they feel this way. But I told them this bill was on the calendar today and that my intention was adding an amendment if I was allowed,” Gillespie said.
Regardless of who said what and when, Gillespie could have put it off again. Democrats practically begged him for a delay.
But the second-termer who succeeded the late Rep. Jim Coley wouldn’t budge — buoyed by supermajority Republicans. And two efforts by Towns to force postponement failed.
Eventually, the House voted along party lines to adopt Gillespie’s bill, bringing yet more criticism from Pearson.
“They were told it would be presented next Thursday. John lied to them,” Pearson told the Lookout later, basically the same thing he said on the floor.
The Wellses issued a statement later Thursday saying the legislation is a “dangerous step back in the fight for accountability, transparency and justice within law enforcement.” They consider the Memphis ordinances a “part of Tyre’s legacy,” intended to build trust between law enforcement and residents and prevent tragic deaths.
The Senate is likely to follow the House on this issue, even though Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) isn’t enthusiastic about several other constitutionally questionable measures emanating from the lower chamber.
The real question, however, is whether Memphis police will follow the legislature’s orders if the bill becomes law or stick with the Memphis City Council directive to limit “pretextual” stops, those in which officers pull over vehicles to make a “speculative” investigation unconnected to the reason for the stop, and not for enforcing traffic laws.
Some folks call it stereotyping or “driving while Black,” and the U.S. Department of Justice saw enough problems with Memphis policing policy to investigate last year.
But the city council, worn out with traffic stops turning into killings, took things into their own hands and prohibited “pretextual” policing.
It sounds like something the police department should have done years ago. But in the majority minority city on the banks of the Mississippi, change comes slowly — if at all.
Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com. Follow Tennessee Lookout on Facebook and Twitter.
This is one of my favorite episodes of the new We Saw You video series. Restaurateur/artist Karen Carrier tells me how she got into cooking. In the 1980s, she was living in New York, where she was going to go to graduate school. But she had to “figure out a way to make a living.”
You need to hear Carrier talk about all this. Her life sounds like a novel I’d like to read. And re-read.
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in Shogun.
Long before the days of prestige TV, the miniseries was the closest network television came to the kind of serialized storytelling now familiar from The Sopranos and Game of Thrones. The greatest of all the miniseries was Shōgun, which attracted 30 million viewers per night over the course of five episodes in 1980. Shōgun was adapted from a 1,200-page doorstop of a novel by James Clavell, and starred bearded heartthrob Richard Chamberlain and legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. Clavell’s hero John Blackthorne’s story was loosely based on the life of William Adams, who, in 1600, became the first Englishman to reach Japan.
With networks searching for the next Game of Thrones, Shōgun seems to fit the bill nicely for FX. It’s a period costume drama with lots of political intrigue, violence, and sex. While the Japan of the feudal Edo period didn’t have actual dragons, it’s been a source of fascination for anime and live action stories alike for decades. Plus, it’s got ninjas! What’s not to love?
The action starts onboard the Erasmus, a Dutch trading ship that is the last survivor of what was once a fleet of five. Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) is the pilot and navigator whose job it is to find Japan, but things have gotten so out of hand on this two-year voyage that the captain kills himself in the first scene. The Erasmus does eventually find Japan, but instead of sailing triumphantly into port, it kind of washes up on the beach. The crew who haven’t starved to death are so weak with scurvy they barely even notice when a squad of samurai board the vessel. The Erasmus is full of South American silver, various trade goods, and most importantly, hundreds of muskets and twenty heavy cannon.
The cache weapons are of great interest to the five competing daimyo, lords who were left in charge of Japan after the death of the former ruler. They are to share power until the crown prince comes of age — unless one of them can maneuver the others out of the way and install himself as shogun, or military dictator. At first, the scheming Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) tries to quietly confiscate the ship’s cargo so he can expand his coastal fiefdom. But his machinations are easily detected by Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), the old ruler’s former confidante who swoops in and brings Blackthorne to Osaka Castle, where he is attending a meeting of the five houses called by Ishido Kazunari (Takehiro Hira). It’s an open secret that Ishido intends to use this meeting to turn the other regents against Toranaga, so the old warrior plays for time while trying to find a way to wiggle out of his bind and keep his word to his dead emperor.
Meanwhile, Blackthorn quickly comes to realize that while he’s the first Englishman to reach Japan, other Europeans have been there for a while. Namely, Portuguese Jesuit missionaries who are building churches in the major cities and converting the Japanese to Christianity. Among the converts is Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), the cultured courtier of Toranga who serves as translator between her master and the European barbarians.
The language barrier is the source of much confusion for Blackstone, and humor for the viewers. By 1600, the Portuguese Catholics and English Protestants had been at war on and off for decades. But the Jesuits have conveniently neglected to tell their Japanese hosts that there is more than one country in Europe and more than one flavor of Christianity. As long as the European money keeps flowing in from the church, the daimyo tolerate the annoying missionaries —until Blackthorne tells Toranaga that the Portuguese intend to colonize Japan and install a Christian ruler of their own.
If nothing else, Shōgun is well cast. Jarvis has Richard Chamberlain’s look down pat, and lends scenes an expressive and often baffled presence. This is in contrast to the outstanding Japanese cast, led by the stoic Sandara, who excel at expressing complex emotion with subtlety. Yoriko Doguchi is particularly great as Lady Kiri No Kata, Toranga’s sharp-tongued consort.
Showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks retool the tone of the original, which tended towards Orientalist exoticism, by exploring the complexities of Japanese society and making it clear that Blackthorn, while a quick learner, is mostly bluffing his way through things. The first two episodes are tight plotting engines in the Game of Thrones tradition, but it gets fuzzier in the third, when an elaborate naval battle and chase scene falls flat. But thanks to the excellent cast, if you’re looking for a post-GoT, castle-drama fix, you could do a lot worse.
Help is on the way, dear! On the way to the Orpheum, we mean, for Mrs. Doubtfire’s run on the stage. (Photo: Joan Marcus)
Science of Wine Museum of Science & History Friday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. Long week? Tired from working? Just need a break? Well, quit your whining and get to wining at MoSH’s Science of Wine. You’ll taste wine, pair it with food, have fun at activities about the science of wine, and learn from the experts. You’ll forget what you were whining about. Proceeds from the event benefit museum programming for area students. Tickets are $80/general admission, $40/designated driver, and $120/VIP, and can be purchased here.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Theatre Memphis Friday, March 8-30 This weekend marks Theatre Memphis’ opening performance of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which takes King’s music and brings audiences on a journey through the musician’s rise to fame and superstar status as a songwriter and performer. Tickets ($35) for the show can be purchased here. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., through March 30th.
Rainbow Dash 5K Overton Park Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. Join Mid-South Pride for the 4th Annual Rainbow Dash 5K, the only LGBTQ 5K in the region. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-timer, come make a statement of solidarity and joy. Everyone who enters will receive a finisher medal, bib, and shirt. Register for $30 here.
Spin It! The Women of Rare Soul Stax Museum of American Soul Music Saturday, March 9, 3:15 p.m. Record scratch. Freeze frame. Cue line: You’re probably wondering how I got here. Mostly I use GPS. I recommend it to all my friends, and I’ll recommend it to you, too, ’cause you oughta use GPS and get your behind to the Stax this weekend where the records won’t be scratched ’cause they’re just too special. As part of the Stax’s Free Family Day, which is from 1-5 p.m. and includes lots of free fun, the Stax is hosting DJ Alpha Whiskey in conversation with DJs Spinorita and Double Peas about the role of women in DJ and vinyl collecting cultures. They’ll also spin some records. Register here for the free event.
Memphis Roller Derby Doubleheader Pipkin Building Saturday, March 9, 4 p.m. Get ready for an exhilarating doubleheader featuring our Memphis’ teams in a fierce rematch. Ghouls vs. Minions at 4 p.m., then Kittens vs. Unicorns 7 p.m. Get tickets ($15/adult, $5/kids) here.
Mar10 Day 2024 Crosstown Concourse Saturday, March 9, 6-8 p.m. It’s a-me, Mario! And that, my friends, is the extent of my Mario knowledge, other than the fact that Mar10 Day, which is an annual salute to the Mario franchise, is on March 10th, but Crosstown Concourse is hosting its Mar10 on Mar9. That’s just the way the cookie a-crumbles, as Mario probably wouldn’t say. The free event will have retro games, video game-themed mini golf, a DJ, and more.
Beale Street Monster Club – Zombie March Jamboree A. Schwab Sunday, March 10, 2 p.m. If you’re a zombie or a zombie-lover (no judgments here), you gotta go to Beale Street Monster Club’s Zombie March Jamboree. It’s a no-brainer. I’m dead serious. The jamboree will kick off with a presentation by anthropologist Tony Kail about his fieldwork around practitioners and ceremonies of the Voodoo religion vs. Voodoo in cinema. Then join film historian Michael J. Cox as he gives a presentation on the history of White Zombie (1932) followed by a screening of the film.
Mrs. Doubtfire Orpheum Theatre Tuesday, March 12-17 “Help is on the way, dear!” And by that we mean Mrs. Doubtfire is on her way to Memphis. We aren’t sending any actual help your way, dear. We’re only journalists — the only help we can offer is to help plan your week with these lovely events. Mrs. Doubtfire, however, is everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny, and she’s going to take the stage in this heart-warming comedy based on the beloved film about an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. Tickets ($29-135) can be purchased here.
Women in Food Cossitt Library Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m. Join a panel discussion exploring African-American food and women, including Mammy, Madea, Leah Chase, Chef Tamara Patterson, and Tabitha Brown. In this engaging event, the library will also honor fixtures in the local food community and culture.
There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.
