On Tuesday afternoon, an article surfaced that threw words in Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley’s mouth about “being done in Memphis.”
As Memphis Grizzlies fans have noticed in recent years, the average fan is constantly seeking that “national recognition,” but just like in years’ past, the fans keep falling on their face in search of that.
It is tough in today’s world, because “click bait” is the new normal thing in journalism, or anything that involves gaining more site views. Some of my favorite Youtubers have done this, and as a Site Expert for Beale Street Bears, and a fan since I was little, I promised to not release any click bait.
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For the national media (names that are not local) that cover the Grizzlies are in search of anything that can get a click about the Grizzlies. With the Memphis Grizzlies getting older, that in turn leads the national journalists to search for the click bait.
I will not link the article to this, but will tell Grizz Nation this: stop searching. Stop searching for the recognition that this franchise has been successful for years, because your local writers have been discussing it since the beginning of the movement. Mike Conley has been all-in on Memphis since he signed his max contract, so do not fall for the fake news.
Look at the local writers. If it is this great group at Beale Street Bears, Peter Edmiston at the Commercial Appeal, Joe Mullinax and his team at Grizzly Bear Blues, and the very talented women at All Heart in Hoop City, plus the Grizzlies’ internal media outlet Grind City Media who is led by Michael Wallace.
I am sure that I am leaving some great writers out, but that is beyond the point. The fans have to pay attention the the guys that are in these press conferences, looking for answers by asking the great questions and communicate with the players/PR department regularly. People who will not click bait a fan, but inform a fan, and share a valid opinion with a fan.
Sharing that moment with the fans is the reason why the majority of us are behind these keyboards writing these articles. Sharing that same motivation, and emotion about the team we grew up loving, just like the fans reading our articles. For us, it is bigger than clicks or site views, it is about covering a Memphis Grizzlies franchise that we care about. In some instances, we have to be overly honest with the fan base, but the truth hurts in some instances, because not everything has been beautiful about this franchise. But name a franchise that has been perfect.
Preparing you for the season that is upcoming, and having a conversation with you about a team that majority of us think is better than the 33 wins that Vegas, along with the national media, has this Memphis Grizzlies team projected for.
Thankfully, through all of this, for whatever this counts as, Grizzlies fans are some of the best (I may be biased).