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T H E F I N E S T R E S T A U R A N T S O F D O W N T O W N , M I D T O W N A N D E A S T M E M P H I S

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Thegamea repurposed room in the Administration Building, floor markings that designated a “court”, and

six inches of breathing room between out-of-bounds and the walls: these were the qualities of the first home court for University of Memphis basketball. The team, then representing the

West Tennessee State Normal School, formed in 1920 and early fans paid fifty cents to see their Tigers play teams like the local YMCA and UT Martin Junior College in the small space known as the “Normal Cage.” Compare the early courts to today’s FexEd Forum—a state of the art arena that is home to both the University of Memphis Tigers and the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team and can hold over 18, 000 cheering students, Memphians, and visitors to the Bluff City.

Through years of evolving university names, coaches who come and go, star players who lead winning seasons and times where victory escapes our city’s teams, the fans remain a constant reason that Memphis can arguably be called a basketball town, both on a collegiate and a professional level. Recently, Tigers coach Josh Pastner and Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins met up to discuss the Memphis basketball scene while having lunch at one of downtown’s best eateries—McEwen’s on Monroe.

fortheloveof

It’s not the only game in town, but basketball incites the passion and competitive spirit of Memphians like none other. Without a doubt,MEMPHIS IS A BASKETBALL TOWN.

GRIZZLIES COACH JOSH PASTNER AND TIGERS COACH LIONEL HOLLINS TALK MEMPHIS HOOPS AT MCEWEN’S ON MONROE.

13

BY HOLLY WHITFIELD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOEY MILLER

“I hear fans who never stop calling into radio sports shows, and all they want to talk about are the Grizzlies or the Tigers,” explains Coach Hollins. As coach to the only professional sports team of the city, Hollins is often recognized around town, a fact that humbles and inspires him. “The FedEx Forum houses two teams that Memphis loves to love, “ he continues. Speaking to the decades of history that make up the Memphis Tigers basketball program, young coach Pastner has come to understand that “Memphis basketball was good before me, and it will be good after I’m gone.”

The main topic of conversation at the coaches’ meeting, besides the food, was the upcoming season. Coach Pastner has been heavily recruiting through the summer, while Coach Hollins has been through the NBA Draft and summer leagues in preparation for an upcoming season with new players and new expectations.

“Of course, Coach Cal had a good run,” Coach Pastner commented on his predecessor, John Calipari. Pastner

is about to begin his second season as head coach, and knows the size of the shoes he wants to fill. However, he wisely explains that “[Tigers basketball is] not only about the coach.” He wants Memphis as a city to have more ownership of their team, and has followed through with his idea to recruit more local players. “Pound for pound, Memphis high school basketball is as good as anywhere in the country,” he offers. His words are supported by the fact that several 2010-2011 Tiger freshmen hail from the Memphis area. These new recruits have a lot to offer the team in terms of roster depth and will continue to build on Pastner ‘s staff’s first year. The head coach is proud of his inaugural season’s humble success, which he defines as having had “no slippage” in terms of the quality of the program and recruiting efforts.

Coach Hollins has also taken his team’s home city into consideration when choosing from world-class players. “We want players that fans can relate to and rally

“Memphis gets players from around the world; we’re an international team with world-class players”

- LIONEL HOLLINS

“MEMPHIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO EAT, buT If yOu

DON’T ExERCISE, THEN yOu’RE IN

TROubLE,”

-JOSH PASTNER

14

around,” he says, referring to the Memphis franchise’s current focus on NBA players who have the character and work ethic to back up their skills. While talent and results are essential, Hollins explains that “you can’t discount character. You want someone who you know will bring a positive experience.”

“Memphis gets players from around the world; we’re an international team with world-class players,” he continues with a bright smile. His work ethic and pride is evident despite the tumultuous world of professional sports, and likely stems from his own background as a champion basketball player. “[The Grizzlies] always compete regardless of winning, losing, or what is happening in the media, “ he reveals. Having an NBA team in the city is an asset that is lost on neither coach. “Being a young guy in the business and a huge NBA fan, we have an unbelievable benefit having a pro team here,” Coach Pastner shares. Hollins continues, saying that going to an NBA game is “something different from normal. Besides the game play, we have the entertainment of the whole arena. The action never stops, even during time-outs.”

For those visiting the city, Pastner and Hollins share that Memphis has much to offer in terms of food, attractions and history. Coach Hollins brings players from out of town to the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, which commemorates the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement in the United States. “It’s inspiring to visit a place that commemorates a movement and a leader that changed the world,” Coach Pastner affirms.

After a visit to the Civil Rights Museum, an exciting night at the FedEx Form watching the Grizzlies or the Tigers play in front of local and out-of-town fans, Coach Hollins suggests visiting a local restaurant for dinner. He enjoys the locally owned eateries for the variety, because he has to travel so much and often eats in chain restaurants on the road. Coach Pastner’s schedule has been just as hectic and he explains over this rare sit-down meal that take-out has been the dining option lately, but that he loves to eat. “Memphis is a great place to eat, but if you don’t exercise, then you’re in trouble,” Pastner laughs. The coaches can expect plenty of exercise soon enough with excitement already building for 2010-2011 seasons.

JOSH PASTNERJosh Pastner got his start in the game of basketball at a young age in

Kingwood, TX (near Houston) and was a prodigy when it came to judging

talent and recruiting strategies in high school and college hoops. He

was a walk-on member of the University of Arizona 1997 NCAA National

Championship team and in 2002 became an Assistant Coach under Arizona

legend Head Coach Lute Olsen. In 2008, Pastner came to

Memphis to establish himself as recruiting coordinator

and assistant coach under John Calipari and a team that

went all the way to the NCAA Sweet 16.

In April of 2009, he became the Memphis Tiger head

coach after Calipari’s departure. He overcame roster and

staffing adversities to be named C-USA Head Coach of the Year with a 24-10

record. His top-ranked 2010 recruiting class is testament to his belief in

the Memphis brand, his commitment to recruiting, and the possibility of an

explosive 2010-2011 season for Tigers basketball.

LIONEL HOLLINSBorn in Kansas, Lionel Hollins has travelled the country playing and

coaching basketball for the last forty years. He was the 6th overall pick of

the 1975 NBA Draft and went to the Portland Trail Blazers from Arizona State

University. He played in the NBA for ten years and was selected to the NBA

All-Rookie team in 1975 and the NBA All-Star team in 1977. The Blazers retired

his #14 jersey in 2007. After his solid career as a player, Hollins

began his coaching career. The Vancouver Grizzlies were

part of the NBA’s Canada expansion program in 1995, and

moved to Memphis in 2001.

Hollins was named the Grizzlies interim head coach in

the 1999-2000 season in Canada, and followed the program on

its move to Memphis, again serving as interim head coach in 2004. In 2009 he

was named the Grizzlies official head coach. Coach Hollins offers experience

and consistency that the Grizzlies have used to secure world-class players and

an inspiring future for the Memphis NBA franchise.

cAREER HIgHLIgHTS cAREER HIgHLIgHTS

AfTER LuNCH, THE TWO COACHES STICK AROuND TO DISCuSS THEIR SHARED HOME COuRT--THE fEDEx fORuM JuST AROuND THE CORNER.

Our chefsare also

farmers.

Company owned Woodland

Farms provides the ingredients

for all River City Management

restaurants. From our own

organically grown produce

to honey from our very own

hives, our chefs help cultivate

everything that goes into our

signature dishes.

S p i n d i n i • M e s q u i t e C h o p H o u s e • P a P a P i a ’ s • T h e P i g O n B e a l e

M A N A G E D B Y R I V E R C I T Y M A N A G E M E N T G R O U P1 6 8 b e a l e s t r e e t , m e m p h i s , t e n n e s s e e , 3 8 1 0 3 • 9 0 1 . 5 2 5 . 3 8 9 1

SPINDINI ChEf

Joe CartwrightMESqUITE ChOP hOUSE ChEf

Michael PatrickPAPA PIA’S ChEf

Justin Flashner

ThE PIG ON BEAlE ChEf

John Wheeler

HOLLINS AND PASTNER TAKE ADvANTAGE Of A bREAK IN THEIR buSy SuMMER SCHEDuLES TO ENJOy SOME SCRuMPTIOuS TOSADAS AND fISH TACOS IN MCEWEN’S WINE CELLAR.