With the NBA Champions – the Milwaukee Bucks – on course to kick off Memphis’s preseason at FedExForum next Tuesday, the Grizzlies are looking to do some fine-tuning in front of fans on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 3).
Grizzly Nation has an invitation to meet the newly-constructed Memphis team when the Grizzlies host an open practice event from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The doors open at 1 p.m.
Fan favorites Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are looking forward to being among the fans again. The players all have stressed in many different ways – including during media day this week – that it is better when they are playing for and in front of fans. They have missed the interactions.
For some of the players on this season’s roster, Sunday’s open practice will be their debut as Grizzlies. Ziarie Williams (Stanford), Santi Aldama (Maryland) and Yves Pons (Tennessee) are this year’s NBA draft picks.
Steven Adams, Memphis’ “new” big man, certainly is no rookie and he is familiar to fans of the Grizzlies. Acquired by trade, Adams actually has a history with the Grizzlies that some would not like to forget.
Flashback to 2011 and out pops the image of Adams as the catalyst for Zach Randolph, aka Z-Bo, getting ejected in game 6 in the second round of the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder; and being suspended for game seven.
Adams and the Thunder prevailed in game 7 and advance to the Western Conference Finals. Try convincing some of Memphis’ diehard fans that the Grizzlies would not have reached those finals with Z-Bo in the line-up.
Now Adams is one of the good guys.
At Sunday’s open practice, Fans will be able to watch their favorite Grizzlies players go head-to-head as they compete to benefit several non-profit organizations, including American Cancer Society, Black Girls Code-Memphis Chapter, Latino Memphis, Literacy Mid-South, MIFA and Mid-South Food Bank. A total of $15,000 will be gifted to the designated organizations throughout the competitions.
The open practice is free to the public. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to celebrate the start of the new season on the plaza with music from DJ Mic Tee, balloon artists and more. The first 500 fans in attendance will also receive an autographed photo. Free parking is available in the Gossett Motors Garage.
The Grizzlies’ preseason opener against the Bucks on Tuesday is set to tipoff at 7 p.m.
