(Memphis) Memphis Grizzlies fans pulled out their Grizz gear once again Saturday to rally in support of Coach Lionel Hollins. Hollins contract with the Grizzilies ends on June 30th. The team has recently granted other teams permission to speak with the coach.
“Four more years,” chanted the group of over 125 people in Tom Lee Park Saturday afternoon.
“Without Lionel Hollins I think the team will fall apart. We need to keep that continuity, keep the strength together and hey let’s go Grizz,” said fan Chris Mason who drove all the way from Forrest City, Arkansas to show his support.
“I adore him. I think he’s done an amazing job with the Grizzlies. I’ve watched him just get better year after year and I give him credit for that. I really do. I think he’s done an amazing thing for this city and I just like him,” said fan Jeri Ledbetter.
Marron Thomas who run Leadership Empowerment Center in Frasyer said that Hollins has been a great asset to his non-profit which works to empower youth in the Frayser neighborhood.
“He’s given away hundreds of bicycles, hundreds of backpacks, they give financially and they their time and talents and their treasures,” said Thomas about Hollins and his wife.
“He spoke without kids and the media was out there once and he told the cameras to stop rolling, because he really wanted to have a heart to heart with our kids,” added Thomas.
The large crowd dispersed after an hour, but they hope Grizzlies management hears their message.
“To see all the support that he is getting now; to see blacks, whites from Frayser, from Germantown, from Cordova to come and celebrate Coach Hollins says a lot about him,” added Thomas.
