Hardaway and Van Exel rivalry moves to golf
Jackson Jr. could be the Grizzlies’ new future star Cincy-memphis days are still on coaches’ minds
Mike Conley told Jaren Jackson Jr. the story before the wistful pregame scene that played out Thursday night, when every picture, every autograph, every fist bump and every part of his routine felt like the last time.
Before the one longtime teammate he’s got left got a standing ovation from the Fedexforum crowd, and before the NBA’S longest-running duo sat next to one another on the bench and Conley realized, “This is it.”
Before he missed what might have been his final shot with the Memphis Grizzlies but they still emerged with an emotional roller coaster of a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves that featured both cheers and tears.
Conley told Jackson the story because before the end, there was a beginning. And sometimes we all need to be reminded of that when the end is
Grizzlies online
TRADES: Follow the latest updates on the Memphis Grizzlies and if the team will make any big trades at Commercialappeal.com NEXT GAME: The Grizzlies face the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m tonight. near. Back in 2008, Conley said to the 19-year-old, he was in the same position as Jackson is today. He was the Grizzlies’ first-round draft pick, playing for a team preparing to trade Pau Gasol, tear it all down, and rebuild around him. “You’re going to be here forever,” Hakim Warrick kept telling Conley back then and, at the time, Conley was skeptical. "We'll see," he said. But now, 12 seasons later, with his time left in Memphis suddenly being measured in days and hours instead of years and months, Conley looked at Jackson and said the exact same thing. “You’re going to be here forever boy, so be ready for it,” Conley said, “Twelve years from now, you
Penny Hardaway vs. Nick Van Exel isn’t what it used to be.
What was once a fearsome rivalry between Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers and Van Exel’s Cincinnati Bearcats on the hardwood has since shifted to the golf course.
Hardaway, now coaching his alma mater, and Van Exel, an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies, have taken a few summer golfing trips together over the last couple of years. While playing, the two coaches chat about everyday life and, of course, remi-