The 901: Why Ja Morant should get NBA's 'Rookie of the Year'

Good rainy morning from Memphis, which has only a week left to order the Trolley Stop Market's pimento cheese fries before the Downtown restaurant closes forever. But first...

In a mostly disappointing year for the NBA's slate of rookies, the Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant is the odds-on favorite to win the coveted "Rookie of the Year" honor.

And he deserves it.

As our David Cobb points out in his latest piece, Morant has battled his way to the top of a heap that includes the Heat's Kendrick Nunn, the injured No. 1 Pelicans draft pick Zion Williamson and — a recent addition to the race — Grizzlies teammate Brandon Clarke.

The efficient Clarke, the No. 21 pick, deserves all of the looks he's getting, but David lays out the case for Morant:

Morant is the engine who makes Memphis go. A team that most predicted to finish with a win total in the 20s is on pace to break 30 wins, thanks largely to the play of a 20-year-old point guard who is exceeding lofty expectations. The former unheralded high school prospect turned Murray State star is putting the NBA on notice with his jaw-dropping athleticism and highlight-reel handles. He won Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for both October/November and December.

Barring an injury, Morant should be the shoe-in for the award, considering he's one of the hardest working and most productive rookies on the court. David has the stats in his story.

The NBA yesterday congratulated him for winning December's Western Conference Rookie of the Month with a video montage of Morant demonstrating his skills, which you can ooh and aah at here:

Speaking of Memphis basketball: The Grizzlies fell to the Kings last night, 128-123, the Associated Press reports. Also, our David Cobb looks at the legacy of the late David Stern, who helped bring the Grizzlies to Memphis as an NBA commissioner.

Bobby Lanier's funeral set for Saturday

The funeral for Robert "Bobby" Lanier, a legend in local government circles, is scheduled for tomorrow, our Corinne Kennedy reports. Lanier, 90, died Saturday.

I never met Lanier, but he was well-known for his kindness and behind-the-scenes influence, having worked for decades for Memphis Light, Gas and Water, then as a Germantown alderman, and then in several Shelby County government jobs, including as aide to several mayors, as Corinne notes in her story.

Here are the arrangements:

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 4  at Germantown Presbyterian Church, 2363 Germantown Road, with a reception following. 

A few, brief 901 housekeeping notes

First off, thanks to everyone for reading! Since taking over The 901 column in 2018, I've been blown away by the support, and I'm looking forward to continuing to write about anything and everything Memphis in 2020. But we'll be making a few tweaks, as well.

The biggest change you'll see is that we're bringing Mondays back. We tried going down to four days a week, but the feedback was loud and clear: Readers like to start their week with The 901. Well, we hear you and wish granted. Expect a column Monday.

The other change you'll see starting Monday: Earlier columns. We experimented with the timing, but readers were again clear: they like to start their day with The 901. Done.

There are a few other tweaks we're planning, but if you have any recommendations, we'd love to hear them. Email me your thoughts on the column by clicking here.

Speaking of housekeeping: If you're wondering why The CA no longer has a "comment" option on its online stories, here's the explanation.

The best songs from Memphis in 2019

If you aren't reading to the end of these columns, you're missing some excellent music from Memphis artists — including these favorites from the past year:

1. Julien Baker's 'Red Door'

Baker, a Memphis native, has become a national sensation of sorts thanks to her powerful and emotional lyrics, often fueled by her struggles with addiction. And one of the best examples was this year's "Red Door."

2. Talibah Safiyah's "Healing Creek"

Up-and-coming Memphian Talibah Safiyah this year released her "Healing Creek" — a head-bobbing, folksy number with a video that showcases her charisma.

3. Brennan Villines' "You Never Loved You"

Brennan Villines, a one-time Memphian, has been making subversively catchy pop tunes for a while now, especially since his 2018 run on FOX's "The Four" singing competition. His "You Never Loved You" stayed true to form this year.

4. Jai Musiq's "It Gets Better"

The prolific Memphis artist Jai Musiq has released several strong contenders this year, but his best song this year was probably "It Gets Better," an optimistic song from someone who has experienced lots of pain, including the death of a brother.

5. Al Kapone's "Al Kapeezy Oh Boy"

OK, so this isn't my favorite Al Kapone song, but it just might be my favorite music video of the year. Here's the Memphis rapper's tribute to his hometown:

Trolley Stop Market restaurant to close

After more than nine years in business near Health Sciences Park in Downtown Memphis, the Trolley Stop Market restaurant is closing, our Jennifer Chandler reports.

The owners, Jill and Keith Forrester, made the announcement on Facebook:

If you'd never gotten around to visiting the Trolley Stop Market, it was unique in that it was a farm-to-table restaurant lined with shelves featuring local crafts and products, and large enough to at one time accommodate a sound stage. It was known for its burgers and pizza, among other things — including the pimento cheese fries mentioned earlier. 

Here's Jill Forrester, explaining the decision to close shop:

Keith and I need a lifestyle change. Owning a restaurant in Memphis, and farming produce in Arkansas is chaotic, and at times, extremely stressful. We're eager to focus solely on our farming operation in Arkansas, and most importantly, spend much more time with our 8 year old son.

Speaking of Memphis eats: Chef Tam's Underground Cafe officially opens at 11 a.m. today at its new home at 668 Union Ave., our Jennifer Chandler reports. Also, don't miss Jennifer's list of restaurant openings and closings for December.

Things to know, places to go, in the 901

• For subscribers: Our Corinne Kennedy explains how Downtown Memphis' hotel boom has rippled out to the suburbs and why.
• Speaking of hotels, Downtown's boom isn't showing signs of slowing down, per our Desiree Stennett's latest report.
• Happening today: Flanked by refugees and advocates, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris plans to sign a document at 11:30 a.m. at his office in the county building to that reiterates the county's commitment to resettling refugees. Stay tuned.
• WWE Superstar Elias is in town tonight for Friday Night SmackDown at the FedEx Forum, our Max Garland reports.
• This weekend is the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest, which draws some of the best high school basketball teams in the country, our Khari Thompson reports.
• The Memphis Tigers' biggest challenge the rest of the season might just be its weak schedule, our Mark Giannotto opines in his latest column. Speaking of sports, our Evan Barnes just put out the latest edition of our 901 Hoops newsletter.
• Longtime Evangelical Christian football coach Jim Heinz died this week, our Khari Thompson reports. Heinz was 77.
• As usual, our Bob Mehr and John Beifuss have the go-to list of things to do in Memphis over the next week.

The Fadeout: She'Chinah's 'Park'

We'll face out this morning with Memphian She'Chinah's recently released, almost lofi single "Park"...

Like The Fadeout? The 901's Spotify playlist has all of the available featured songs from local artists.

Columnist Ryan Poe writes The 901, a running commentary on all things Memphis. Reach him at poe@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @ryanpoe.

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