Return to Memphis brings back memories for Rockets TV analyst, former Grizzlies' Ryan Hollins
Danielle Lerner , Staff writer Nov. 15, 2021
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — When the Rockets played the Grizzlies on Monday night at FedEx Forum, it was a homecoming of sorts for Rockets television analyst Ryan Hollins, who played the final season of his NBA career with the Grizzlies.
Hollins, who played for nine teams in 10 years, appeared in 32 games for the Grizzlies during the 2015-16 season while being waived by Memphis three times, a start-and-stop season that was representative of his NBA journeyman career.
Hollins, who is in his first season as part of the Rockets broadcast crew, said Monday that he had fond memories of his time in Memphis. But he wanted to set the record straight on a popular urban legend among Grizzlies fans: Contrary to the story told by former Memphis guard Tony Allen, Hollins says he was never given the nickname “Booty Call,” a reference to his impermanent status on the Grizzlies roster.
“See, that’s an absolute lie and falsehood,” Hollins said. “Tony Allen goes on the show and says ‘We call Ryan Booty Call because he’s always ready.’ Now, I’ve never been called that one time in the locker room, but Tony Allen feels like if he’s put on the spot he has to say something. So Tony Allen makes up his mind and it was just so funny like oh my goodness they call — no, they don’t. No one has ever called me that. I have kids. No one has ever called me that in my life.”
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The Grizzlies roster in 2015-16 included Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zack Randolph, Lance Stephenson and Matt Barnes, but the team was plagued by injuries throughout the season and called on Hollins, a veteran center, to plug the holes as needed.
“Even though I was kind of in and out on the roster here, it was the last of the kind of ‘Grit and Grind’ era, and for me I loved this fanbase because I was a guy who played hard and just did the little things and it was appreciated here in Memphis,” Hollins said. “I know the admiration I have for guys like Mike Conley and Marc Gasol and Z-Bo (Randolph) and those guys from playing against them so playing with those guys, it was a blast.”
The Grizzlies finished 42-40 and still managed to make the playoffs, where they were bounced in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.
“It’s funny, I feel like that was my best year, honestly, in the league ever as a pro,” Hollins said. “I couldn’t have done that my first couple years in the league. I’d have been all over the place, but as a veteran, I come off waivers and get in the game and make an impact and I think they knew that. The guys, the coaching staff knew that I would be ready and that was big. But that just comes with being a veteran.”