SBNation.com User Blog: jrod29

Introducing the Most Interesting Grizzlies Fan in the World

jrod29 — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:18:24 -0000

We have all seen him. You know exactly who I am talking about. He was sitting on the front row of Game 2, hoping - praying even - that his beloved Grizzlies could tie the series up after a disappointing Game 1. His Grizz had played a decent game, but fear lingered in the air that the lead may not hold, just as it didn't the game before. He desperately wanted his beloved team to make a run, to put a nail in the coffin. Then it happened. Just as energy began to peak in the Forum, it happened. His favorite player, Zach Randolph, whose jersey he was sporting that evening, took the ball hard to the rim, scored the basket, and drew the foul. The Forum was electric; a playoff win was so close everyone could taste it. And he went crazy. Not only did he celebrate, but he celebrated in style. He turned away from the action, where the impending free-throw would take place, and turned to where at least two television cameras were on him. This celebration was going to be epic, and it needed to be seen by all.

But Who is this kid? Well, his name is Barry Klug (I won't begin to speak of how awesome of a name that is. Doesn't it just sound like a first-round draft choice at offensive tackle?). But more than that, he is the Most Interesting Grizzlies Fan in the World.

He doesn't always go to the NBA games, but when he does he is sitting court-side at the Grindhouse.

Some say that he wears #50 in homage to zBo, but few realize that Randolph is actually showing love to him.

He told Lionel Hollins to focus on points in the paint for the 1st quarter of Game 5. We all know how that turned out...

Hamed Hadaddi looks up to him.

Chris Paul favored the other side of the court when bring the ball up. You don't get close to Barry more than you have to.

Fans come up to him wanting him to autograph their #50 Grizzlies jerseys.

Security wondered if they should give him protection at the game to guard him from fans and the media, but then they realized that his stoic, piercing stare provided more than enough protection.

Sales of the Zach Randolph jersey have risen 428% this week.

He is offended that anyone would even try to compare his celebration to the New Jersey Nets fan. There is no contest.

He once told Tony Allen to play with all "grit, heart, and grind." TA later tried used the phrase, but mixed it up a little bit.

He once read "Grizzly Adams" hoping it would be about Zach Randolph. When it wasn't, he promptly ripped the book in half in one quick motion.

Mo Speights-to-Memphis was his idea, but he doesn't like to brag about it.

He personally blocked the sale of the team to Larry Ellison saying, "I don't want to have to fly all the way to San Jose just to sit in my sweet court-side seats."

They once tried to name him "King of Memphis", but he wouldn't accept out of respect for Jerry Lawler.

During the second half of Game 5, he told a joke about Vinnie Del Negro's mother. Five Clipper technical fouls ensued.

He was offered a position as a on-the-court mop boy for the Grizzlies. He simply replied, "I have people who do my mopping for me."

In late November, 2011, he got bored with no Grizzlies basketball to watch and promptly ordered a resolution and end to the NBA work stoppage.

If he misses a home game, he doesn't sell his court-side tickets. He wants to make sure people realize he isn't there.

The doctors first listed Zach Randolph's prognosis at 8-10 months. He stared at them and finally said, "That's not good enough." ZBo was on the court 10 weeks later.

Grizzlies possibly being sold/moved to San Jose

jrod29 — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 06:11:17 -0000

Grizzlies possibly being sold/moved to San Jose

Just saw this small blurb from the Commercial Appeal which says that the Grizzlies have an interested buyer (have they been secretly on the market?) who wants to possibly move them to San Jose.

"Larry Ellison, the third-richest person in the U.S., is interested in buying the Grizzlies and moving them to San Jose, Calif. Griz owner Michael Heisley downplays the possibility."

What should be (and can be) done to Kenny Britt?

jrod29 — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:13:25 -0000

There seems to be a general consensus, both here at MCMs and around the sports worlds, that unruly players, such as Kenny Britt, will be subject to fines, suspensions, and other penalties when the CBA is signed and the lockout is lifted. A point that was renewed after James Harrison's recent lapse in judgment. But we are failing to consider the point, should that and can that actually be done?

The fact of the matter still remains that there is no Collective Bargaining Agreement in place between the league & owners and the players. The players have been locked out and told that they are currently not part of the team and cannot enjoy the benefits and facilities of the team. There are no mandatory meetings, workouts, or OTAs. There is to be no contact between players and team/league administration, including disciplinary action.

However, many assume that once the lockout ends, the Titans front office and/or the Commisioner will begin handing out punishments like they are candy. The owners and league want to have their cake and eat it to. They have locked the players out and will not allow them under the covering, protection, and assistance of the team structure and league rules, but after it is over, they want to retroactively impose those sanctions. That is poposterous. Either the league is in lockout or it is not. The players are currently under no legal contract or binding team rules with the league and owners, how can we later say, "Even though the rules didn't apply when you broke them, we are going to punish you anyway?" If the league wants to police the actions and words of every player in the NFL, then Goodell and company need to come to the table, sign a deal, and then begin enforcing rules from that point forward.

If the situation was reversed, could we honestly expect a similar outcome? Consider a situation where the players decided to go on strike. During the course of this strike, the players missed OTAs, camp, preseason, and 3 games of the regular season. But after the strike was over, the players came back to the facilities expecting to pick up their paychecks for the last few months they had been on strike as if nothing happened. The players would not, and could not, go one strike and miss games without knowing that they would be making a sacrifice, including their salaries for those missed games. It would be ludicrous for the players to act like nothing had happened, but if the league and coaches start handing out fines or suspensions, that will be exactly how they are acting. If this does indeed happen, I hope the NFLPA will take a stand and not let it happen.

Do I believe that Kenny Brit has acted like an idiot and deserves to be punished? Sure, it is probably in the league's, the Titans', and Britt's best interest for some sort of punishment to be handed out. However, the league should honestly not be allowed to do this. They are the ones who locked out the players and appealed the court decision to keep that lockout in place. Locking out the players should not come without a price, including not being able to police and regulate the player's actions during the course of that lockout. Attempting to do such retroactively is not fair to the players.

Brett Favre in Nashville?

jrod29 — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:31:28 -0000

There has been some rumblings lately about Brett Favre possibly coming back (nothing too authentic however). Colin Cowherd made a good point that teams that are wanting rookie QBs to step up early are being hindered greatly by the lockout, leaving Favre's window for return to be wide open.

The Titans have been said all along to be looking for a veteran QB for until Locker is ready. However, two concerns seem to surface over this. One, certain veterans (such as McNabb or others) will probably not want to come to Nashville only being promised to be the starter for the few couple of games. Two, many veteran QBs (except those who should definitely already be retired) will not want to commit to a short term deal (one year, or two years at most) which the Titans might be looking for, especially if they are going to bring a very well respected veteran (who is also very expensive). Simply put, McNabb and Hasselbeck probably won't want to sign a deal for one or two years and only be seen as Locker's nursemaid. And the Titans aren't going to want to pay McNabb and Hasselbeck for 3-5 years, like they may possibly want.

So my question to you is this, if Favre was to begin showing interest in returning for one more year, would him in Tennessee not be best for both him and the team? The Titans could sign him to a true one year deal. After the '11 season, all ties with him are done and it will be time for the heir-apparent to take his place. Sure, Favre might not take an active role in grooming Jake Locker; however, merely sitting behing Favre and learning the offense sure seemed to do well for Aaron Rodgers. My concern with Locker isn't so much that he needs a season long tutor as I just think he needs a few months with our coaches and with our offense. Something that is being greatly hindered by the labor situation. So, what are your thoughts? Could Nashville be a prime landing spot for Favre if he decided to return? If so, what would your thoughts be?