Inside Grandma Barkley's House
Next week, the Grizzlies open training camp about four hours southeast of Memphis in Birmingham, Alabama.
About 20 minutes from Bill Battle Coliseum, the Grizzlies' training camp facilities, sits a town called Leeds.
It was in Leeds, where a young Phoenix Suns fan (At least I wasn't a Lakers fan.) learned some very important life lessons from Johnnie Mae Edwards (also known as Charles Barkley's Grandmother) that the Grizzlies should consider next week.
Lesson #1: Rebounding is important. Here, I am pictured with Ms. Edwards holding Barkley's 1986-87 Rebounding Title.
Lesson #2. Team work is key to success. In this photo op, I present a "Get Well" poster from teammates to a recovering Barkley.
Lesson #3: In order to succeed, you have to dress for success.
The Grizzlies should be sure to stop by Ms. Edwards house when they hold training camp a few miles away next week.
(Here's a hint: Look for Charles Barkley Ave. There's only one house with "CB" molded into a wrought-iron fence.)
It's here, where Barkley's mother and Grandmother taught Barkley that hard work and exceptional rebounding skills can lead to greatness. For a team that was last in the league in rebounds per game, these are important lessons.
Here's hoping that central Alabama will be as instructive for the Grizzlies as it was for me.
20 comments:
Nice picks.
This is, without a doubt, the best blog post ever. It does raise a couple of questions though. First, did you ever return the favor and take Sir Charles to Lala's house? Second, at what age did you stop tucking your jerseys in? I would like to suggest that you bring the tucked in jersey look back at age 27.
NICE! Lala would be so proud.
How did I get cut out of this? I was there for her garage sale. I feel robbed. This better make it on BDL.
wrought iron fence
the inside of her home is eerily similar to Graceland Too, no?
Plus, she can score 30 Points on the Mavs.
thanks for posting dave. perhaps you, evan and grandma b, can work on a graceland 3 for CB, the round mound of rebound?
Curt, unfortunately, Lala passed before I got the chance.
John, sorry, we didn't get any pics of the garage sale so it got cut. However, that was the only time I met Barkley's Mom. Lidabill asked her: "Do you know Charles Barkley?" She said: "Yes. I'm his mother."
Evan, Ms. Edwards has never kept me trapped in her house for 3 hours.
DOH, nice obscure reference.
Na Pueo, I don't think a "Fakers" fan should be part of a shine to CB.
I expect your next post to feature a picture of you with your bat-patrol uniform.
Sam, don't spoil my "Lessons from Mr. Morris" post.
How does a person get the invite from Charles Barkley's grandma? Did you just ring the doorbell and wait? In your Umbros?
Grandma was knitting on the porch.
We pulled up in front of the house in our blue astrovan. I exited wearing the pictured outfit, and she decided I was trustworthy enough to enter.
Great post, David!
I wait with bated breath for the Morris post...
Did Grandma Barkley take out her dentures and start singing to you?
Your photoshopped visit with Ms. Edwards reminds me of some great childhood moments of my own, when the Knicks were semi-respectable..
1) I was 12, or 11, family vacation in Arizona, late February and the lowly visiting Celts were in town to face the mighty Suns led by Sir Charles, KJ, Schayes and Dan Majerle, the assassin from downtown. But on this strange evening, Dee Brown on the Celts managed to drop a career high 41 points to upset PHX..see for yourself http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/boxscore.htm?yr=1994&b=19950221&tm=PHO
2) We all know LJ was a beast on and off the court, especially the 4 point play at MSG, but there is only one woman we should remember him by - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thbUkBW_ftM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6EtzIbah9o&feature=related
David - I think you should try to get a media credential for one of the two Griz games against the Warriors. My guess is that teams typically deny such requests from bloggers. But, if there was ever a game where the credential requests would be low it would be when the Grizzlies come to town on a Wednesday night in November and March. Even if you get rejected, the attempt would make for a great blog post.
Sam the Man, as my lawyer, will you please make the official request?
I am not your lawyer, but from the Warriors media guide:
CREDENTIALS: Requests for game-by-game credentials should be submitted in writing – on company letterhead – to the Warriors Public Relations
Department AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR to the game you wish to cover (2:00 p.m. on Friday for a Sunday or Monday game). Credential requests may be
faxed (510-452-0142) or emailed to rcridder@gs-warriors.com. NO CREDENTIAL REQUESTSWILL BE HONORED ON GAME DAY. Pleasemake certain
all requests for credentials are confirmed by the Public Relations Department prior to arriving at ORACLE Arena. Credentials may be obtained three hours
prior to each game at the press gate, located at the Parking Lot E entrance in the Southeast corner of ORACLE Arena. Credentials must be visibly worn at
all times and are non-transferable.
how can you make such an amazing blog post and then stop blogging forever?
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