During the memorial, a 24-by-24-foot stage — 24 was one of the numbers Bryant wore during his 20 seasons with the Lakers — will sit in the middle of the arena floor with seating surrounding it on all sides. Staples Center executives say they are “hopeful” the event will finish by 1 p.m. and that everyone will leave promptly. The memorial will not be broadcast on outdoor monitors at nearby L.A. Live and those without tickets will not be permitted inside a closed perimeter encircling the arena.
Memphis Grizzlies Rumors
Upon the memorial’s finish, workers will break down floor seats, move sections of seating into place for a Clippers home game and install the court and baskets. “Our goal is to have the building ready to go no later than 3:30,” Zeidman said. NBA rules stipulate teams must be able to access the court at least 90 minutes before tipoff, a league spokesman said, but Zeidman believes the Clippers’ and Grizzlies’ pregame workouts should not be affected should the building be ready for basketball as intended.
Tom Orsborn: The NBA just announced Wednesday’s #Spurs-Mavs game at the AT&T Center will no longer be televised by ESPN and that it will now start at 7:30 p.m. Grizzlies at Rockets will replace it on ESPN.
I’ll miss the humble way he went about his reverence. When the media arrived in the locker room after engaging with the coach in the postgame press conference, there was usually a towel stretched out on the floor in front of Dieng’s locker, a makeshift mat for his prayers to Allah. Sometimes he would just be finishing up as we entered, but there was never hurry nor concern about disruption, and never a need for comment about it from either side.
I won’t miss the way people around the Timberwolves speak about Gorgui: About his early attendance at Lynx games back when the WNBA had an uncertain future and the team was lousy. About his charity work or some small consideration he had extended. About how his heart and his pride vied for a place on his sleeve. I won’t miss it because it will continue. In the checkered lore of Wolves basketball, he is a keeper.
Dusty Hannahs back to Memphis
The Grizzlies are expected to sign Memphis Hustle guard Dusty Hannahs to a 10-day contract, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Hannahs, who is in his third season with the Hustle, was signed to a 10-day contract by the Grizzlies last March. He made his NBA debut on March 31 against the Clippers and appeared in a total of two games before being waived on April 4.
