What jumps to mind when you think of Memphis? The Grizzlies, who weathered a tumultuous season to grab the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference? One of America’s richest musical traditions?
If you are Stephen A. Smith, not only are both worth bearing in mind, but they go hand in hand and are crucial to breaking down Memphis’ NBA title chances.
The ESPN analyst outlined the connection in a strange tangent on Monday morning’s episode of First Take, during which he seemed to suggest that Grizzlies guard Ja Morant should replace rock icon Elvis Presley as the face of the city.
"This is the point I wanted to make, because I've reiterated this on many occasions. Elvis is dead. God rest his soul," he began two minutes into discussing how Memphis would handle the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between the Lakers and Timberwolves.
When host Molly Qerim attempted to cut in, Smith told her, "You ain't been to Memphis, Molly. You ain't been to Memphis. I've been to Memphis."
Punctuating his Volunteer State travelogue, he said to Qerim and former NBA center Kendrick Perkins, “They've got signs of Elvis. They got billboards of Elvis and Graceland. There should be billboards of Ja Morant. Elvis is dead, Kendrick Perkins. It's over. God rest his soul.”
"The Lakers could end up home in the first round."
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 10, 2023
😳 @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/sjAbEIQewC
Smith closed by expressing his belief that Morant would bring his A-game to a potential series against the Lakers. Whether the Grizzlies can avoid Heartbreak Hotel remains to be seen.
