Game 49 - Memphis Grizzlies

Game 49 - Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies @ FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN (1/30/2016)


The first game of 2016 was a memorable one!  Sandwiched between curling and baseball practices, we had a free Saturday so Ryan and I decided to go watch the Grizzlies in Memphis.  Exactly 5 years ago today we sat in the 4th or 5th row at the Indiana Pacers game....this one topped that.

When we arrived at our hotel across from the arena, we were told that our room was not ready yet due to a large group that was still checking out.  We didn't think anything of it at the time and instead decided to walk over to the famous Beale Street (recently voted the most iconic street in the United States) for some Memphis BBQ.


Back at our hotel, our room was still not ready but we quickly realized why.  That large group still checking out of the rooms was the Sacramento Kings themselves.  For the next hour we watched the players check out and get on the team bus.  We took a bunch of pictures from a distance (to the left is Rajon Rondo).  Also got to see Demarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein, Duja Dukan, Seth Curry and many others we didn't recognize.  One player, who will remain nameless, refused to get a picture taken with Ryan.  It was a bit disappointing, but nonetheless Ryan thought it was pretty cool to see the players up-close.  We didn't realize just how close we would get to see them later that night before and during the game.

We met up with a friend of mine and walk over to the game.  Ryan and I both had such a great time.  We started off by going into the tunnel to meet some of the Memphis Grizzlies and watch them get ready to go onto the court.  Ryan got to shake hands with Zach Randolph (he said they were the biggest hands he has ever seen).  We tried to get a few autographs, but were unsuccessful.  Ryan had to settle for some pre-game high-5s.

Then it became time for us to go to our actual seats.  Impressive!  That is all I can say.   1st row on the baseline near the visitor's bench.  it is amazing how big these guys are up close.  We even saw ourselves a few times on the highlights of Sports Center and on the jumbo-tron at the game....it helped that Ryan was wearing a yellow headband, which made it very easy to pick him out. 

The game is a lot more violent up close than TV shows.  These guys are up to 7 feet tall and weigh 250+, but all they do all night long is push, shove and bang into each other.  The referees let them get away with an awful lot of contact.  The photo to the right shows Demarcus Cousins shooting free-throws.  This guy might be the biggest person I have ever seen at 6'11" and 270 pounds.  His shoulders are so wide.  He had a decent game with 17 points and 14 rebounds, but he spent most of the night complaining about getting fouled and looked like he wanted to punch someone all game long.  Believe me, he was doing his share of getting away with rough play.  He ended up getting hurt right in front of us and left the game with an ankle injury, but not before screaming the f-bomb....luckily Ryan didn't hear it.

The game itself was very exciting, especially for the Memphis fans, who are great and very excited about the Grizzlies as they scored a season-high 65 points in the 1st half.  The Grizzlies dominated the game for 3 1/2 quarters before they got a little sloppy, lost their cool with a few technical fouls and let the Kings back into the game.  Late in the 3rd quarter, the Grizzlies held a 21-point lead, but a huge 40-point 4th quarter brought the Kings to within 1 with 18 seconds left in the game.  Luckily for the Grizzlies, they hit a few free-throws to hold off the charging Kings and win 121-117.  It was a big night for Jeff Green (29 points) and Marc Gasol (22 points). 


While watching sports theses days, I start to feel a bit old as often times I'm watching the children of players I grew up watching.  It is refreshing to still see Vince Carter playing in the league at 39 years-old.  Not a bad night for him either with 13 points. 

We did get to meet one semi-celebrity....Leigh Anne Tuohy, who is the real-life women for which the Blind Side movie is based.  She was sitting right next to me.  She was very nice and we discussed the fact that she is going to the Super Bowl this weekend to see her son (Michael Oher) play for the Panthers.  She even was kind enough to take a picture with Ryan.

FedEx Forum is an excellent venue to see a game.  It is conveniently

located downtown near all the action on Beale street.  We didn't get to spend a lot of time on this trip walking around as we had too much excitement going on right in front of us on the court - players, cheerleaders, Griz (the mascot), amazing high-flying dunkers, etc.  I also caught a ball that was swatted out of bounds.


In the end, it was another $238 raised for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research.  To find out more about my mission and / or to donate, please go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/christopher-apel/christopherapel


The home-team record on my sports tour is now 29-20.  A special thanks to George for taking us to the game.  Ryan and I both had a blast.  It will certainly be something he remembers for a very long time.