Winning multiple championships isn't the only way to leave a mark in the NBA. If a player possesses an offensive or defensive specialty for an extended period, chances are he’ll receive his flowers when it’s all said and done.
In March, a Memphis Grizzlies fan favorite and lockdown defender will be honored for his notable contributions to the organization.
“The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the organization will retire Tony Allen’s No. 9 on Saturday, March 15, at FedExForum following the game against the Miami Heat, presented by Robinhood,” the NBA announced Tuesday. “Allen will become the third player in franchise history to have his jersey number retired, joining Zach Randolph, whose No. 50 was retired on December 11, 2021, and Marc Gasol, whose No. 33 was retired on April 6, 2024.”
Allen retired from the NBA in 2018 after completing 14 seasons with three different franchises. The 6-foot-4 guard was selected No. 25 overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2004 draft. He was a solid role player in Boston for six years and won a title with the Celtics in 2008, but didn’t put the league on notice until he signed with the Grizzlies in 2010.
In Memphis, Allen terrorized opposing guards with his relentless defensive play style. Whether he was defending a superstar or an average bench contributor, Allen prioritized crowding his opponents' space and causing extreme discomfort. Simply put, Allen was one of the stingiest defenders in the NBA during the second leg of his career.
During his seven-year stint with the Grizzlies, Allen was named to six All-Defensive teams and averaged 1.7 steals per contest. As a result, the Grizzlies enjoyed seven consecutive trips to the postseason.
Although his lone season with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017 was forgettable, Allen’s commitment to defensive excellence in Memphis earned him a prestigious honor as a former Grizzly.
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