Who would be on Memphis Grizzlies Mount Rushmore? – Roundtable

Bryant Reeves, Z-Bo, Elvis and Tony Allen

Tony Allen is the pioneer that strengthened Grizzlies basketball, while managing to include the culture of the city. Memphis loves TA, and for good reason. He has put everything he has – well almost everything – into the Grizzlies. Talks about his future will always be preceded with his defensive impact for the Grizzlies. He might not have won any championships in Memphis, but he sure did everything in his power to help get the rest of his team as close as possible. Tony changed the landscape of Grizzlies basketball, thus making him the Grizzmore Abraham Lincoln.

Moving backwards, we have Elvis. Now, I know you’re thinking something comical, but I’m pretty serious. Memphis fawns over Elvis so it’s only right that he goes on the Mt. Rushmore. Realistically, it’s the Elvis-Grizz shirt that needs to be up there, but Elvis’ impact on the city has lingered into Grizzly basketball. As out wild card, and outspoken renegades, Elvis is our Grizzmore Teddy Roosevelt.

Ah, yes. The harsh dissolving of Randolph-Grizzly relations. As a fan favorite, a man of the people, Z-bo had his best seasons in Memphis and was a major driving force during his tenure. Randolph has some HOF considerations due to his ranking on the all-time scoring and rebound lists, but that’s still up for grabs. Regardless, Randolph has been the most productive Grizzly, and not just on the court. Randolph catered to the people, cared about the people and made that clear in every way he could. If Randolph had penned a goodbye letter, it would’ve been too obvious. Instead, Randolph left Memphis in true Thomas Jefferson fashion: unknown causes with very little to be said. Zach Randolph is our Grizzmore Thomas Jefferson.

Leading us to the face of Mt. Grizzmore, Bryant Reeves. The inaugural Grizzly draft pick has striking similarities to George Washington. Both, were the first pick for their respective “teams,” and both dabbled in farming. Not the same type of farming, but you get the point. Reeves was never the ultimate superstar Memphis/Vancouver wanted, but he was still productive and managed not to set the Grizzlies back in their first few seasons. George Washington’s task was much heavier, but being the first face of a franchise is always difficult. Reeves lost his step after the lockout, but he’ll be remembered for his character more than what he actually did. Just like George Washington. — Jake Finnen