Ja Morant celebrated his new All-Star status in the only way he knew how. He put together a 30-point triple-double as the Grizzlies beat Mike Conley and the Utah Jazz.

When Ja Morant was selected to the NBA All-Star Game Thursday, it felt like all of Memphis was celebrating along with him. There’s a very good reason for that. 

There’s a reason Penny Hardaway still has a good chance to become a successful coach at Memphis. That reason is love.

I asked Penny Hardaway if he could “get this done” at Memphis. His answer — complete with four expletives — revealed a lot. 

Related stories:

Tigers drop third straight AAC game after sloppy start

Tigers' problems run much deeper than injury issues

Hardaway goes off in explosive rant after loss to SMU

Box score: SMU 70, Memphis 62

Steven Adams picked up one of the Chicago Bulls and carried him away like a small child. Just more evidence that this is not a Grizzlies team to be trifled with. 

The Memphis Tigers lost to UCF on Wednesday. That’s bad. But for all of the team’s struggles, it still can make the NCAA Tournament. Is that too much to ask?

Why did Ja Morant stare down that little kid? Because he was wearing a Golden State jersey. And as the Warriors learned Tuesday night, this Grizzlies team is going to demand your respect. 

Three decades after he was first nominated, former University of Memphis coach Billy “Spook” Murphy is elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. 

It was a quiet Thursday at FedExForum. But Ja Morant is so incandescent, he makes every night a memory.

Penny Hardaway sure didn’t seem happy after the Tigers staved off Tulsa on Tuesday. Why was the Memphis coach so ticked?

The Tigers smashed Wichita State Saturday. It was the best way possible to begin what could be one of the most important years in Memphis basketball history. 

In 1941, Alice and Ferdinand Haas fled Germany before they could be murdered by the Nazis. They gave a pastry plate to their housekeeper before they left. After 80 years, that plate found its way back to the family, in Memphis. 

Memphis lost to Tulane for the first time since 2016. That was the last season for Josh Pastner. Which doesn’t mean this will be the last season for Penny Hardaway, of course. But things are not going well.

It is hard not to think about loss this Christmas. Here’s to those who help us find joy in the midst of it all. 

The Grizzlies may be closing in on an agreement with the city and county that would dramatically reduce the chance the team relocates under the “early termination” clause of the arena lease. 

‘The Memphis-Tennessee game was canceled because too many Tigers players were unvaccinated. That’s an indictment of Penny Hardaway’s leadership.’

Related articles:

Tyler Harris, Landers Nolley tested positive, leading to Tigers’ cancellation

Tigers’ game against Alabama State canceled

The Memphis-Tennessee series ended in dismal fashion when Saturday’s game at Bridgestone Arena was canceled because of COVID-19. It’s an ending nobody wanted. But that won’t stop fans from both sides from arguing about it until the end of time. 

When Tyler Harris hit a 3-pointer to put the Memphis Tigers up by 19 on No. 6 Alabama, FedExForum erupted in air-shaking joy. It was a win that saved a season. And felt just like old times.

Penny Hardaway said Memphis lost to Murray State because of “bad coaching.” But there is no evidence he intends to fix it. 

After three straight demoralizing losses, Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers must beat Murray State.

Related story:

Hardaway on Tigers: It’s time to ‘fix ourselves’

When Minnie Miñoso was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, nobody was happier than Rep. Steve Cohen. A story of baseball, kindness — and an extraordinary life.