Memphis and hardwood have been synonymous since the city was founded in 1819. Throughout the 19th century and early 20th century, hardwood was the city’s economic heart – right alongside cotton. For much of the 20th and 21st centuries, basketball was and continues to be the city’s civic heart. Memphis Hardwood is a place where we talk about hoops in hoop city, offering weekly updates on the Memphis Grizzlies and, sometimes, the Memphis Tigers.