Grizzlies Win Generates Buzz; Iverson Boost Short Lived In Philly

Writer Says Memphis Residents Have Stopped Laughing At Grizzlies After Win Over Cavs

The Grizzlies' overtime victory over the Cavaliers Tuesday has "produced the first genuine burst of enthusiasm for the Grizzlies in at least three years," according to Geoff Calkins of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. The team's offseason signing of former G Allen Iverson "doesn't count," as it was a "gimmick from the start." Calkins: "The excitement was never about the Grizzlies franchise, either. It was only about Iverson." But as a result of Tuesday's win, Memphis residents have "stopped laughing at the Grizzlies," and have "stopped using them as a punchline." Calkins writes the trick is "building on all this momentum." Grizzlies officials are "doing their best," as the team has "cut prices to $3 (for cheap seats) and $33 (for nicer ones) to" Friday's game against the Thunder. Grizzlies President of Business Operations Greg Campbell: "We want to tap into the enthusiasm around the city" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/11).

DEEP SIXED? In Philadelphia, Kate Fagan notes after a sold-out crowd of 20,664 attended Monday's Nuggets-76ers game at Wachovia Center, which marked Iverson's return to the team, the 76ers drew a crowd of 12,136 for Wednesday's game against the Pistons. Fagan: "You knew the buzz wouldn't last forever. It couldn't. But this seemed especially abrupt" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/11). SPORTINGNEWS.com's Dan Levy wrote Iverson's return was "supposed to fix those with apathy or frustration toward the franchise" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 12/10). But 76ers VP/Marketing Mark Gullett said, "There's not one magic bullet to hit to fill the building." Gullett added the low attendance figures for the team are "probably an accumulation of things." Gullett: "There's not one huge, glaring factor. I wouldn't say it's the economy, because we have a very affordable product, with tickets as low as $10. We have an ownership that is committed to the team, and we have passionate fans. That should make for a great run" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/11).