Charles and Matt Dillon decided a while back that we should spend their Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday watching basketball. Matt, Mary Ann and Nathan came to the house a little early so I could have some play time with Nathan...
After a little play time, it was time to head to the game. Mary Ann had to miss it because she was visiting a friend's child in LaBonheur (thankfully she should recover just fine), so it was just Charles, Matt and I.
After a little bit of an adventure trekking through three states and over the Mississippi River bridge, and thankfully no speeding ticket from the Memphis police, we finally arrived at the Forum...
Here's one of Charles and Matt outside the Forum...
And one of Charles and me in our seats -- we had really good seats...
Prior to the game, Kareem Abdul Jabbar was awarded the National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legend Award...
Then the Bulls and then the Grizzlies were announced...
and several Grizzlies Elvis were there to pump up the home crowd...
then the teams huddled up for a final review of the game plan and pep talk...
and then tip off...
As it was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, many sports players shared messages of their respect for him and a tribute (photograph montage with clips from his speeches) was put together and shown...
and a New Orleans Jazz Band played "We Shall Overcome"...
Boyz II Men sang the National Anthem and provided fun half-time entertainment...
The women behind us really got into the performance!!
Finally, an action shot...
We all had a really fun time, and I think we all agreed the highlight of the evening was when the Grizzlies Grandmas and Grandpas performed their routine! It was too funny to see the 3 old men and many, many old women REALLY getting into it!!
The Grizzlies won.
After the game, Mary Ann and Nathan met us at O'Charley's for a bite to eat, and Nathan really enjoyed the sips of sweet tea he was given -- definitely, a Southern baby!