In Memphis, the “Grit and Grind” era remains a golden era that we love to celebrate. And one of the players who most symbolized the formidable Grizzlies of the 2010s was Tony Allen. The former full-back will be entitled to have his jersey retired next season.
After Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, it’s Tony Allen’s turn.
The one who played in Memphis between 2010 and 2017 himself announced, via The Commercial Appealthat the Grizzlies will retire his jersey during the 2024-25 season.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are planning to retire Tony Allen’s jersey next season, per @DamichaelC pic.twitter.com/Cq1EDy8TFs
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 7, 2024
“First Team All-Defense ! First Team All-Defense !”
When we think of Tony Allen in a Grizzlies jersey, we inevitably think back to this sequence where Tony reminds everyone of his defensive status after stealing the ball from Klay Thompson’s hands, in a Playoffs game, while lying on the floor of Oracle Arena in Oakland. That was Tony Allen: a dog on defense, a guy who fought for every ball, and a super important member of the Grit and Grind version of the Grizzlies, alongside Gasol, Randolph and Mike Conley.
Tony Allen spent seven seasons in Memphis, where he arrived in 2010 with a championship ring on his finger (2008 with Boston). Seven seasons without ever reaching 10 points on average, but with six appearances in one of the two All-Defensive Teams (3 times in the first, 3 times in the second). Allen was also considered the best outside defender at the time and one of the best NBA interceptors. Tony helped the Grizzlies – often driven by their defense – reach the Playoffs each year over the period, with three campaigns with at least 50 wins and an appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 2013.
Involved in several less than stellar off-field affairs in recent years, Tony Allen should have been honored much earlier. Now that things have settled down, he will be entitled to his little moment of glory. See you next season.
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Source texte : The Commercial Appeal
2024-05-07 16:02:00
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