Columnist
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
There are 1040 articles by Geoff Calkins :
Penny Hardaway has emerged as a ‘serious candidate’ to become the next coach of the Orlando Magic. He is closer to being the former coach of the Memphis Tigers than he has ever been.
When George Cates died in a plane crash Monday, Memphis lost a leader with vision and enthusiasm — and who was determined to bring everyone along.
The University of Memphis may yet get whacked in the case before the NCAA. But if and when that happens, you can take solace in knowing there is no American institution with less credibility than the NCAA.
On June 8, 1999, Verlinda Johnson Henning’s husband, Darrell, died at the age of 45. Exactly 22 years later, Henning appeared as reigning champion on “Jeopardy!” It was just a coincidence, of course. But it helped her find balance on a very difficult day. Memphian is ‘Jeopardy!’ champion June 7, comes in second June 8 Related story:
Penny Hardaway is reportedly targeting Larry Brown for an assistant coaching job with the Memphis Tigers. Here’s how to do that without making things worse with the NCAA.
Former Lausanne star Cameron Kinley found himself at the center of a storm this week after it was learned the Navy had rejected his request to defer his service so he could play in the NFL. It’s not the decision he wanted, certainly. But Kinley says he would go to the U.S. Naval Academy all over again.
Here are the two things the Memphis Grizzlies absolutely have to do this offseason if they want to contend for an NBA title. I believe they’ll do both.
Yes, the Utah Jazz bounced the Grizzlies out of the playoffs Wednesday. But their 20th season in Memphis will go down as one of the most promising in franchise history.
The Grizzlies lost to the Utah Jazz Monday to fall behind in their playoff series. So how come it felt like another great night for the Grizz?
It was a wonderfully unruly night as playoff basketball returned to FedExForum Saturday. Until our old friend Mike Conley ruined everything.
Four years after the last NBA playoff game at FedExForum, more than 10,000 Memphians will convene Saturday to celebrate a new era of postseason basketball in the city. This team might be even more audacious than that one. Just read the Growl Towels.
Memphis didn’t win Game 2 in Utah Wednesday. But any Grizzlies fan who watched the game had to be pumped. The Grizzlies now have home-court advantage and the best player in the series. Saturday night at FedExForum should be wild.
No, the Grizzlies won’t have a full house for Saturday’s Game 3 against the Jazz. But that’s no reason to be angry. Buy a ticket and soak it in. The Grizzlies will have more people in the building Saturday than since before the pandemic. It’ll feel like playoff basketball is supposed to feel.
Dillon Brooks is just crazy enough to think the Grizzlies can beat the Utah Jazz. Which is exactly what they did Sunday night.
When Mike Conley was traded to the Utah Jazz, everyone said the trade was “win-win.” But nobody expected the Grizzlies would do this much winning, this soon.
The incandescent Morant and the Grizzlies traveled to California and knocked off Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. It may not have been the biggest upset in Grizzlies postseason history. But it was a beautiful night.
OK, their bridge is more famous. And their team is more famous. But here’s why the Grizzlies can beat the Warriors — and claim eighth place in the Western Conference — in Sunday’s Battle of the Bridges.
The Grizzlies won the first postseason game of the NextGen era Wednesday night. It was an important moment for the new edition of the Grizzlies. But that’s not all it was.
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors taught the Grizzlies some painful lessons Sunday. Let’s hope Ja Morant and the rest of the Grizzlies take those to heart.
The Grizzlies defeated the Kings Thursday to set up a game against the Warriors for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. So take a load off, Grizzlies. It’s one of the biggest regular-season games in franchise history.
The Grizzlies are in the play-in! The Grizzlies are in the play-in! And if that doesn’t merit a champagne shower, it’s a real accomplishment. Just look at the New Orleans Pelicans.
When Susie Espinosa went to the emergency room last May, she prayed she’d be home to her three children soon. Instead, she spent eight weeks in a coma. Her recovery — supported by an ICU nurse who’s also a mom — is a testament to the power of perseverance and love.
People rolled their eyes when Arnold Perl said FedExForum would be built on time and on budget. And he was right. Perl died this week at the age of 81. He leaves behind a better and more optimistic city.Related story:
Sure, there was a rain delay. But after 610 days and nights without baseball in Memphis, what’s another two hours? It was a wet (but glorious!) night at AutoZone Park as the Redbirds made their return.
After an eight-year drought, Memphis Pom won a national championship in hip-hop. The inside story of how Memphis reclaimed its spot atop the dance universe.