MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tony Allen, whose defensive prowess and unique verbiage created the Memphis Grizzlies' Grit 'n Grind era, was honored Saturday night with the retirement of his No. 9 jersey.
He is just the third Memphis player to receive the honor, joining Core Four brethren Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, both of whom were in attendance on Saturday. Mike Conley, the fourth member of the quartet to bring the franchise its highest success, is still active with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"I'm very thankful for this moment," Allen said. “I'm going in the rafters. A lot of people don't get this moment.”
During a first-quarter timeout, the team showed a smiling Allen, bringing the Memphis faithful to their feet.
Allen, drafted by the Boston Celtics out of Oklahoma State, came to the Grizzlies as a free agent in 2010. The start to his Memphis career was less than stellar. It wasn't until a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder when Allen was thrust into the role of covering Kevin Durant that he solidified his reputation.
And, after the game — a win — Allen uttered the phrase: “All heart. Grit. Grind.” A team slogan and an attitude was born, along with his nickname, “the Grindfather.”
Allen said the mantra just came from his passion in a postgame interview, but it became a trademark for the city and a franchise.
“Tony Allen’s toughness, competitive spirit and defensive intensity energized his teammates and our fans and helped set a standard of defensive excellence that defined an era of Grizzlies basketball,” Grizzlies owner Robert Pera said in a statement.
While his shooting was erratic, leading teams to back away from him on offense, his defense was his calling card. He earned All-Defensive honors six times, and many a star player, such as the late Kobe Bryant, said Allen was among the toughest defenders they faced.
His frenetic pace, sometimes crazy antics and a preparation to details were a change from the offensive-minded approach that gets most players noticed. He hung his hat on the defensive end, changing his game to fit what was needed.
“They like a little bit of crazy,” Allen said of the fans.
On the road, he was likely to wander into the home team's dance troupe during a timeout, or toss his towel onto the court during play. He would sprawl out on the court after interrupting an offensive set.
“It felt good to get the game-winning stop, even if I didn't get the game-winning shot,” Allen said. “That was just as valuable. A lot of times people don't highlight those things, but it was fun for me. ...That was my value on the court.”
Allen played half of his 14-year career in Memphis, and stayed in the city after he retired following a season in New Orleans. He continues to live in Memphis.
“I want to share this with everybody,” Allen said. “I want this to not just be about me, but I want all of us to embrace this because I just think this is a dream come true.”
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Former Memphis Grizzlies player Tony Allen, uper left, gestures to the crowd while standing with his family in the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Grizzlies and the Miami Heat, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Harden had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Charlotte 123-88 Sunday night.
Ivica Zubac added 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Clippers (38-30). He made two foul shots with 5:43 left before halftime to give the Clippers 45-34 lead and they led by double digits for the remainder of the game.
Derrick Jones added 12 points for the Clippers.
Mark Williams scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds and LaMelo Ball scored 16 for Charlotte (17-50).
Hornets: Charlotte appeared to have left its offense in Texas after beating San Antonio 145-134 on Friday night. After posting its highest point total of the season against the Spurs, Charlotte failed to reach 90 for the ninth time this year.
Clippers: Los Angeles has quietly won six of its last seven and sit five games behind Houston, Denver and Memphis (all 43-25) for the second seed in the Western Conference.
The Clippers took control with a 17-6 run turning a 11-9 deficit into a 26-16 lead off a layup from Harden with 1:43 left in the first quarter.
Harden (four 3-pointers) and Leonard (three 3s) combined to make more than Charlotte which shot 6 of 33 (18.2%) from behind the arc.
Charlotte hosts Atlanta on Tuesday. The Clippers host league-leading Cleveland on Tuesday.
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball reacts after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) looks to shoot while under pressure from Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball controls the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, left, passes the ball while defended by Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. reacts after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) gets a rebound over Los Angeles Clippers guards Ben Simmons, left, and Bogdan Bogdanovic, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) drives the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Amir Coffey reacts after missing a shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Kobe Brown, left, blocks Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, center, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Charlotte Hornets guard Wendell Moore Jr. dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
