MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in Memphis, TN

Week 4 of the 2023 USFL season is in full swing, and we've got you covered with all the action around the league!

On Saturday night's slate, the Memphis Showboats (1-3) secured their first win of the season, beating the Michigan Panthers (2-2), 29-10.

Earlier on FOX, the Houston Gamblers (2-2) crushed the Philadelphia Stars (1-3), winning 41-16 in Detroit.

See the full list of regular-season week-by-week matchups here.

Here are the top plays!

Memphis Showboats 29, Michigan Panthers 10

Big leg for Memphis

The teams kept each other out of the end zone in the first quarter, with no touchdowns through six possessions.

But Alex Kessman made a big impact for Memphis, drilling a pair of long-range field goals — a 53-yarder and a 54-yarder — to give the Showboats a 6-0 lead.

Memphis gets in the end zone!

Memphis capitalized on an eight-play 68-yard drive with a Cole Kelley 1-yard rushing touchdown. That came after a 32-yard pass to get the Showboats in scoring position.

Memphis led 13-0 midway through the second quarter.

The Showboats with a defensive stop before halftime!

Memphis spoiled Michigan's 53-yard drive with an interception by Jermaine Kelly Jr. in the end zone, which ended the first half.

The Showboats led 13-3.

Memphis up after 3

Neither team scored a touchdown in the third quarter, but the Showboats created more distance between them and the Panthers after Kessman knocked in another field goal, putting Memphis up 16-3 entering the fourth.

Michigan punched back!

Building on their drive to end the third quarter, the Panthers finally found the end zone three minutes into the fourth quarter, thanks to a 3-yard touchdown pass from Josh Love to Joe Walker.

The Panthers' scoring drive consisted of 14 plays, 64 yards and 7:51 off the clock.

Showboats made it a two-score game

On the ensuing possession, the Showboats constructed a 13-play, 64-yard drive which resulted in a 6-yard touchdown run for Kelley — his second rushing touchdown of the night. Memphis led 23-10.

Memphis put it away with a turnover

Memphis forced a fumble on Michigan's next possession and took it in for a touchdown, extending its lead to 29-10 and securing its first win of the season.

Setting the stage

The Panthers are coming off their first loss of the season, while the Showboats are still looking for their first victory.

All eyes will be on quarterback Cole Kelley, who completed 21 of 38 passes for a whopping 307 yards and two touchdowns in week's loss to the Gamblers, to lead Memphis this week.

On the other side, Josh Love came into Week 3 as the unquestioned starter for the Panthers. Having earned USFL Offensive Player of the Week to open the season, the gap between him and backup Carson Strong continues to widen.

A new era of Memphis Grizzlies basketball is on the way.

Gone is Dillon Brooks, the longest-tenured player from this season's No. 2 seed. Along with Brooks' exit, the Grizzlies also are changing some of their identity traits. Ja Morant is pledging not to talk as much trash. Count Grizzlies general manager and president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman and coach Taylor Jenkins as two who believe that toning down the trash talk is beneficial.

With Brooks out, the Grizzlies are now leaning on Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. as their leaders heading into next season. This is noticeable because even though Morant was the best player going into the 2022-23 season, Memphis operated with a leadership by committee style. At times this was great for team chemistry, but eventually, questions started filing in about adding veterans in the locker room and maturity as off-court issues took precedent over the on-the-court success.

There's still a chance the Grizzlies add a veteran this offseason.

"It's too early to say what's out there, but I'm looking forward, to say the least, to seeing what's going to be on the table," Kleiman said.

OFFSEASON PLANS:What Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman said about Dillon Brooks' future, team offseason plans

DILLON BROOKS:Dillon Brooks wants a bigger role the Memphis Grizzlies can't offer

GIANNOTTO:Dillon Brooks breakup is the start of a difficult offseason for Memphis Grizzlies GM | Giannotto

Ja Morant stepping up off the floor

The Morant, Bane and Jackson trio will give the Grizzlies three different types of leaders in style.

Morant is the two-time all-star who has become one of the biggest voices in the NBA. He consistently ranks in the top 10 in the NBA in jersey sales, and his fan base is so big that he often gets cheers on the road.

On the floor, Morant is vocal and has displayed his basketball smarts with instincts, but it's off the floor where his growth as a leader will be needed most. After the Grizzlies lost Game 6 in the first-round playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Morant noted that his biggest improvements must come off the floor.

Since the nightclub gun incident on March 4 that led to Morant's suspension, he and the Grizzlies have communicated closely on his needed next steps.

"I think Ja would be the first to say that it's an ongoing process, ongoing commitment to being the best player he can be, the best leader that can be, the best teammate he can be," Kleiman said.

Morant also will be in the first year of the rookie-scale maximum contract extension he signed last offseason. As some star players get older, they offer more input on roster decisions, but that's not something Morant is currently interested in.

"I'm fine with the position I'm in now," Morant said. "I feel like with the organization, from coach to the players, all those guys pretty much believe in me and look at me as a leader of this team."

The Dillon Brooks replacement

Bane may be the most natural leader of the trio. When the Grizzlies lost a close January game against the rival Golden State Warriors, Bane went out of his way to lift up Ziaire Williams, who was emotional after the loss.

Like Brooks, Bane can also be the player who gives constructive criticism that will make his teammates better. Brooks was frequently telling Jackson how he could be one of the best players in the NBA, and while some Grizzlies teammates think Jackson realizes his potential, Bane is still on him.

In a way, Bane could be the guy who fills Brooks' former role. Grizzlies players often referred to Brooks as the heart and soul of the team, but another player could be getting that designation now.

"Des is a cornerstone, very significant piece of this group," Kleiman said. "I think he has an opportunity going forward to really establish himself as a key driver, key leader in this group. ... I think he'll have an even bigger opportunity to be a heart-and-soul-of-the-group kind of guy going forward."

The new longest-tenured Grizzlies player

Jackson is now the longest-tenured Grizzlies player with Brooks not expected to return. He's also the last player left who played alongside Marc Gasol and Mike Conley in a Grizzlies uniform.

Grizzlies teammates spoke highly of how Jackson stepped up as a communicator on the court this season on his way to winning the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award. He's also always been a player who some teammates have tried to get more out of because of his limitless potential.

Now that Jackson has become an all-star and one of the NBA's defensive stars, he'll be tasked with using that experience to help the younger players come along. He's also emphasizing the relationship with himself, Bane and Morant.

"We got to hone in on it," Jackson said about leadership. "That comes from showing the new guys, the new rooks that come on the team, just what we're all about, how we work and getting in on the same page between us and really knowing what each other wants just even more. Every time you can really spend time with your teammates, you should just to get that chemistry because it's going to pay off down the road."

The opening night of the 2023 Beale Street Music Festival offered an interesting mix of acts, from funk blood brothers to gospel up-and-comers to rock 'n' roll revivalists.

The Bud Light Stage was bookended with a pair of joyous performances on Friday. Memphis gospel group The Sensational Barnes Brothers got things going at the north end of Tom Lee Park, bringing the good news via their spiritual soul songs.

The night’s closing performance came from Memphis-rooted band Earth, Wind & Fire. The group — founded by late Bluff City native Maurice White, and still led by his brother, bassist Verdine White, and singer Philip Bailey — went through their platinum classics from “Shining Star” to “Boogie Wonderland” to “September,” for a late-night crowd that was eager to get up and dance.

But two acts that really stood out on the festival’s first night back at Tom Lee since 2019 were Low Cut Connie and The Bar-Kays.

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Low Cut Connie

Playing the opening set at a music festival is typically an unenviable task. With the sun still up and crowds just filing in, very few acts are capable of making that slot a breakout moment. But Philadelphia rock 'n' roll revivalists Low Cut Connie did just that, showing why they’re widely regarded as one of the most engaging live acts working today.

Front man, bandleader and pianist Adam Weiner knows Memphis. Twenty years ago Weiner came to town to study under noted University of Memphis blues historian David Evans. Since then he’s gone on to found Low Cut Connie, slowly reshaping and expanding the group over the last decade into a powerhouse revue, while cutting a couple records at Midtown’s Ardent studios.

Low Cut Connie’s Friday kickoff at music fest was highlighted by anthemic originals like “Shake it Little Tina” and “Revolution Rock ‘n’ Roll,” while Weiner also merged the group’s own songs along with several classics (from the likes of Swamp Dogg, T-Rex and Prince) into a mid-set medley. The band also paid homage to a local hero, the late Alex Chilton, covering his punk-era classic “Hey! Little Child.”

Weiner’s infectious showmanship — of the piano-pounding, shirt ripping variety — made instant converts out of the early arriving fans who gathered at the foot of the Volkswagen Stage.

Memphis in May:Beale Street Music Festival returns to Tom Lee Park, and the fans are here for it

The Bar-Kays

Decades pass, musical styles come and go, and band members change, but Memphis R&B/funk legends The Bar-Kays still know how to turn on a crowd.

The iconic group — now nearing year 60 — continues to be led by founding bassist James Alexander. But it was a new crew of musicians, featuring vocalist and North Memphis native Chris Johnson, who brought a relentless energy and party atmosphere to the Bud Light Stage on Friday.

Johnson — who took over for longtime vocalist Larry Dodson back in 2017 — served as the catalyst, putting his own stamp on the band’s catalog, while the ever-nimble Alexander (“A man with a resume as long as Elvis Presley Boulevard,” as Johnson introduced him) moved between bass licks and ordering shots of tequila onstage.

The band’s futurist R&B sounded especially good during a sunset performance that saw them deliver an array hits from the ’70 sand ‘80s, with highlights including “Freakshow on the Dance Floor” and “Holy Ghost.”

Ja Morant had a tumultuous 2022-23 NBA season. Arguably, that’s an understatement.

Morant was embroiled in controversy throughout the year. His Memphis Grizzlies went from national darlings to the NBA’s villains.

They also went from title hopefuls to being eliminated in the first round. Look for the Grizzlies to make major changes this summer.

Trading Ja Morant probably won’t be one of them. We’re well aware of that. At the same time, this is the modern NBA.

We can’t rule anything out. Dillon Brooks isn’t an elite player like Morant, but he’s on his way out of town. Perhaps for the right trade offer, the Grizzlies should listen.

Could the Grizzlies send him to the Houston Rockets this summer?

Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G/F Kevin Porter Jr., F Jae’Sean Tate, C Alperen Sengun, 2023 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2024 First-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2025 First-Round Pick (Swap – BKN or HOU), 2026 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – BKN or HOU), 2028 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – HOU)

Houston Rockets Receive: G Ja Morant

Frankly, this deal depends on where the Rockets’ own pick lands – for both sides.

If they land the first overall pick, there’s no way they’d make this deal. In fact, they probably wouldn’t trade the rights to draft Victor Wembanyama for Morant straight up, even if it were financially feasible.

If it lands second overall, it should pique the Grizzlies’ interest. They’d be adding Scoot Henderson in addition to a tremendous amount of assets.

The Rockets would have to pause, but in fairness, Morant is an already-proven superstar contributor.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ja Morant, Houston Rockets & Memphis Grizzlies Updates

If the pick lands outside of the top-2, the Rockets may jump at this opportunity. In that event, it would be the Grizzlies stopping to think.

Should they really trade Morant for this return?

Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal

For argument’s sake, let’s assume that the Rockets’ pick has landed third overall.

In that event, the Grizzlies would likely be deciding between Amen Thompson and Brandon Miller. If the pick landed fourth, they’d be taking whichever of the two was left.

Now, assume the pick lands fifth or sixth – that’s as far as it can fall. The Grizzlies would be picking one of Cam Whitmore, Jarace Walker, or Ausar Thompson. All of these players have tremendous potential in their own right.

In fact, any of them could be organizational pillars. If the Grizzlies are deeply concerned with their team culture, they’d have to entertain this move.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ja Morant, Houston Rockets & Memphis Grizzlies Updates

It equips them with a potential new franchise player, a budding star in Sengun, four first-round picks, and three swaps.

Should the Rockets give up so much for Morant?

Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal

Meanwhile, the Rockets don’t seem entirely concerned with team culture.

That’s not intended as a criticism. Different organizations have different operating principles. For a long time, it’s felt as if the Rockets prioritize talent above all else.

If that’s true, they should be happy to acquire Morant. In fact, he and Jalen Green would be forming the most athletic backcourt in the NBA. The rim pressure this team could force opponents to deal with would be overwhelming.

With that in mind – if the pick lands second, the Rockets should probably take Scoot Henderson. After all, they’re giving up a lot of assets here.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ja Morant, Houston Rockets & Memphis Grizzlies Updates

Otherwise, going all-in on Morant should give this organization some direction moving forward.

As long as he can have a more normal season next year, that is.

Founding partners Paul Stephens, 31, and Jules Jordan, 29, will open Belle Meade Social on Tuesday, May 9th.

It’s almost like their restaurant had to open at 518 Perkins Extended.

Jordan’s dad, Trey Jordan, opened his first restaurant, Holiday Deli & Ham, at that location 30 years ago when he was 29 years old. Trey now owns Pimento’s Burgers, Bar & Grill, in addition to the Holiday Deli & Ham restaurants. His father, Don “Papa” Jordan, 93, also was in the restaurant business. He owned the Wendy’s Franchise in Central Texas from 1972 to 1973.

Jules and Stephens met 17 years ago in a devotional group lead by her dad. Stephens “became part of the family and never left,” she says.

Stephens and Jules originally thought about opening a sports bar in the space. But it was “so elevated” they decided to turn it into a fine dining restaurant, Jules says.

But they also wanted the elegant restaurant to be approachable. “Country club casual” is how Stephens describes the place.

It will serve as a great place for a “date night” or a “guy’s night,” Jules adds.

Customers “could make it whatever they wanted it to be,” she says. “And know their hospitality is going to be on point.”

“We ‘care’ is what it comes down to,” Stephens adds.

“That is the bottom line,” Jules says.

Jules is on the operations side of the restaurant and Stephens is is administration.

The name Belle Meade comes from the nearby residential neighborhood. “Paul grew up in that neighborhood,” Jules says. “I lived down the street.”

They want the restaurant to be a “neighborhood spot” for people to enjoy, she says. As the menu states, “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

As for decor, she and Stephens gave the space a makeover, but they didn’t really have to change much, Jules says. “We put our flair on the bones that were already here.”

And those were “great bones,” Stephens adds.

The restaurant had formerly held the Jim’s Place and Strano by Chef Josh restaurants. Most of the original decor dates to when Jim’s Place was housed there, Jules says. “We re-did the bar top. Put new tile under the bar.”

They also recovered all the seats in the restaurant with brown leather.

The “Tuckahoe Room” is one room they completely created. They wanted a “speakeasy vibe” in the room, which includes comfortable chairs and a contemporary chandelier, Jules says. It’s a place where people can have a drink while waiting for their table.

The room also can be used when people use the upcoming private dining space, which will seat 20 to 30 people, that adjoins the lounge, Stephens says.

They also have plans for the spacious patio that runs along the south side of the restaurant.

Eric Ingraham is Belle Meade Social’s executive chef. George Newton is sous chef.

The restaurant will serve classic American cuisine at lunch and dinner.

Appetizers include “Honey Whipped Feta Dip” with feta cheese, honey, mixed olives, and warm pita bread; and a “Spicy Tuna Stack” with Ahi tuna, cucumber, tomato, avocado, pineapple, spicy vinaigrette, and house wontons.

Entrees include a 14-ounce New York strip, roasted chicken, lamb lollipops, Kung Pao salmon, and blackened grouper.

Pizzas are available. The pizza menu offers “Pesto Chicken,” “BBQ Chicken,” and “Fig & Pig” with fig spread, grated parmesan, mozzarella, prosciutto, arugula, and balsamic glaze.

Jules’s dad, by the way, raves about the “Belle Meade Burger,” which includes ground beef, tomato bacon jam, caramelized onions, and gruyere cheese with lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun.

Customers will see a lot of smiles at Belle Meade Social. That includes friendly servers Reagan Wood and Steve Gill, food and beverage/bar manager Daniel Faulk, and hostess manager Maddy Marshall.

That’s a reflection of the owners.

“We both love people,” Jules says.

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