Reasons to Love Memphis #47: Heart. Grit. Grind.

Reasons to Love Memphis #47: Heart. Grit. Grind.

Believe Memphis mural by Siphne Sylve

Great stadiums have great nicknames. The Florida Gators have "The Swamp". Wrigley Field is "The Friendly Confines". And, as of this Spring, the FedExForum is "The Grindhouse".

It make sense, given the team that plays there. This year, the Memphis Grizzlies' special brand of scrappy determination has gotten them to the first round of the NBA playoffs.

The good news for Memphis is that the Grizzlies are dominating. Last night, they crushed the Spurs 104-86 in front of a sold-out, towel-waving crowd of hometown fans. A crowd of hometown fans that, perhaps for the first time in 10 years, has fully embraced the Grizzlies.

Maybe it's O.J. Mayo's amazing dunks or Zach Randolph's smiley determination. It could be Tony Allen's crowd-riling antics. More likely, though, it's that the team's mantra of "heart, grit, grind" has finally aligned with Memphis', a city that has heart, grit and grind to spare.

Whatever it is, I'm proud. You should be, too. Memphis is a force.

Go Grizz!

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Stephen
Yeah! The energy last night in the Forum was amazing! Memphis has shown we are a force to be reckoned with. It is time for ESPN to drink the kool-aid and recognize.
April 26, 2011 11:22am
Josh Roberts
Totally agree with the city fully embracing the Grizz. Seems we've been stuck in a paradox of not going if the team is bad vs. ownership not investing in a team if we don't show up. These guys left the owner vs. fan drama behind and just played good basketball. The Grindhouse was out of control last Saturday night!
April 26, 2011 11:25am
Preston
Great post. I completely agree. This team embodies the heart and spirit of Memphis. We're tough. We grit and we grind - just like the Grizzlies.
April 26, 2011 11:26am
Howard
It's amazing how a sports team can bring a city together. Maybe the Grizz can do what the Tigers have come close to doing - to give this city a rally point that cuts across all racial/economic/grographic lines and reminds us that we have much to celebrate together. Every little bit helps. And the way these guys are getting it done is something we can all identify with and be proud of.
April 26, 2011 11:30am
Jessica Jones
Do you know where this mural is? I've been looking everywhere. 
March 2, 2015 11:41am