Memphis to retire the number of... Tony Allen

[asujbl]

Title says it all.

[AlabamaSlamma]

Title says it all.

Go back to the FB boards.

[Pathora]

This is why I prefer the Pacers method of pretty much retiring nobody unless its obvious. Reggie Miller has been the only NBA Pacers player to have his number retired. Rik Smits could've been considered as well from all those Pacers 90s teams.

Jermaine O'Neal probably does have his retired if it weren't for the stain of the brawl, and Paul George's departure doomed his shot of a retired jersey.

[IamRalpho]

Boston never should've let him go. Probably have another banner if he stayed.

One of Ainges few misses as GM

[Scottish Punk]

Decent player, but not worthy of retirement of number. Pistons have the same issue, they retired Vinnie Johnson's number.

[TWard]

As a Memphian, I can see why they are retiring his jersey number. Tony meant A LOT to this city. He was the heartbeat of the Grizzlies for years. He wasn’t your typical superstar like LeBron, D-Wade, etc, but he didn’t have to be. He was a tremendous player for this franchise and meant more to this team than just stats.

[codered]

One of the best one on one perimeter defenders in the last 15 year. Isn't he still playing though? Could have sworn he signed with the pelicans? Did he retire? Kind of odd to retire his number if he's still playing. Kind of like showing up at your ex's wedding to tell her you still love her

[asujbl]

One of the best one on one perimeter defenders in the last 15 year. Isn't he still playing though? Could have sworn he signed with the pelicans? Did he retire? Kind of odd to retire his number if he's still playing. Kind of like showing up at your ex's wedding to tell her you still love her

Memphis loves it though...

Zach Randolph isn’t retired yet his jersey is

[HP7163]

Mine as well retire Marc Gasol's # .. he's few years younger and has been there longer ..

Odd to an outsider but apparently he's a well known good guy to the city as poster above said .. so by all means whatever floats your boat

[SteveO21]

Memphis loves it though...

Zach Randolph isn’t retired yet his jersey is

I get retiring both guys' numbers (they are/were SUPER influential to that city) but I don't understand the need to retire the numbers while they're still playing. Different sport but Peyton Manning is FAR more iconic to Indianapolis (he's treated as a God here) than Z-Bo and Allen are to Memphis and the Colts simply made a statement that no one would wear #18 ever again after Peyton went to Denver, then waited until he was actually retired to retire his number.

btw I was actually at the game this past Sunday where they retired #18 and it was awesome.

[tennelson55]

I’m a little surprised, but not really. Tony’s a grit player and never averaged over 10 ppg in Memphis. He’s a solid player, but having your jersey hung in the rafters... idk

[jmmintz]

It's cliche, but if you don't live here, you won't understand.

It makes total sense to all Grizz fans. His impact on the franchise and the community absolutely warrant it.

And pretty sure they're not retiring the numbers yet. It'll be done when the players are actually retired; they're just announcing they're doing it, basically as a PR move since a lot of the city wanted them both back here and the franchise needed to move on.

[SteveO21]

It's cliche, but if you don't live here, you won't understand.

It makes total sense to all Grizz fans. His impact on the franchise and the community absolutely warrant it.

And pretty sure they're not retiring the numbers yet. It'll be done when the players are actually retired; they're just announcing they're doing it, basically as a PR move since a lot of the city wanted them both back here and the franchise needed to move on.

That makes a lot more sense.

[the27guy]

It's cliche, but if you don't live here, you won't understand.

It makes total sense to all Grizz fans. His impact on the franchise and the community absolutely warrant it.

And pretty sure they're not retiring the numbers yet. It'll be done when the players are actually retired; they're just announcing they're doing it, basically as a PR move since a lot of the city wanted them both back here and the franchise needed to move on.

I have NO problem with the organization ding it. TA has been such an important part of a franchise that had little success before he got there. How many years was he there? 8-9 right? That's his jersey number.... and it would seem wrong to have anyone else wear it.

Kinda reminds me of Andrei Kirilenko with the Jazz. Was he great? Nope. Not by any stretch of the imagination. But he was an important part of the teams identity for a decade and I just don't think it would feel right for someone else to have his number. Ever. 47 is AK's number. They haven't retired it yet, but I'm sure if someone asked for the number they wouldn't let it out.

[jstasyk1121]

Decent player, but not worthy of retirement of number. Pistons have the same issue, they retired Vinnie Johnson's number.

Guy hit a championship winning shot and was a big part of the bad boys teams...doesnt seem too crazy to me that they retired it...but whatevs...they do like retiring numbers...i dont mind it...if a guy was an important part of the franchise for a long time...or a big piece of a winning period...or something like that...

like the 03-04 Pistons squad looks like its gonna end up with 3or4 of them retired at some point...and i think i could make an argument that even Tayshaun could deserve it and just retire all 5....they won a title...went to gm7 the next yr and overall went to like what-6 str eastern conf.finals....that is a prolonged period of alot of success for a franchise that overall is kind of middle of the pack historically in the success column...basically 2 periods...bad boys and goin to work...why not retire quite a few from those two groups...

so then when you look at detroit who has 3 nba championships then look at memphis they have nothing...so what? do they just never retire anyone? every team will have different standards for what they deem to be retired...

someone mentioned the Pacers and that like only Reggie is retired...to me that is ridiculous...not like they are some elite franchise and only absolute HOF players can ever be retired...

[SteveO21]

Guy hit a championship winning shot and was a big part of the bad boys teams...doesnt seem too crazy to me that they retired it...but whatevs...they do like retiring numbers...i dont mind it...if a guy was an important part of the franchise for a long time...or a big piece of a winning period...or something like that...

like the 03-04 Pistons squad looks like its gonna end up with 3or4 of them retired at some point...and i think i could make an argument that even Tayshaun could deserve it and just retire all 5....they won a title...went to gm7 the next yr and overall went to like what-6 str eastern conf.finals....that is a prolonged period of alot of success for a franchise that overall is kind of middle of the pack historically in the success column...basically 2 periods...bad boys and goin to work...why not retire quite a few from those two groups...

so then when you look at detroit who has 3 nba championships then look at memphis they have nothing...so what? do they just never retire anyone? every team will have different standards for what they deem to be retired...

someone mentioned the Pacers and that like only Reggie is retired...to me that is ridiculous...not like they are some elite franchise and only absolute HOF players can ever be retired...

Reggie being the only NBA-era Pacer to have his number retired isn't ridiculous at all. Someone could make the case for Jermaine O'Neal based on his stats but he was also part of the reason for the collapse of the best roster in franchise history, the year of the brawl, and he missed 142 games during his 8 years with the Pacers. He spent the last 4 years of his time here wearing a suit for basically half the season each year.

Retiring a player's number shouldn't just be some thing where a guy gets it because he was cool for a few years. It should MEAN something. You've got teams doing stupid stuff like the Heat retiring #23 and #13 for Jordan and Dan Marino. You've got Atlanta who retired #17 because Ted Turner owned the team for 17 years. You've got Orlando who retired #6 for their fans. Those numbers are meaningless.

[JMarchand1981]

Reggie being the only NBA-era Pacer to have his number retired isn't ridiculous at all. Someone could make the case for Jermaine O'Neal based on his stats but he was also part of the reason for the collapse of the best roster in franchise history, the year of the brawl, and he missed 142 games during his 8 years with the Pacers. He spent the last 4 years of his time here wearing a suit for basically half the season each year.

Retiring a player's number shouldn't just be some thing where a guy gets it because he was cool for a few years. It should MEAN something. You've got teams doing stupid stuff like the Heat retiring #23 and #13 for Jordan and Dan Marino. You've got Atlanta who retired #17 because Ted Turner owned the team for 17 years. You've got Orlando who retired #6 for their fans. Those numbers are meaningless.

Orlando has six fans?

[jstasyk1121]

Reggie being the only NBA-era Pacer to have his number retired isn't ridiculous at all. Someone could make the case for Jermaine O'Neal based on his stats but he was also part of the reason for the collapse of the best roster in franchise history, the year of the brawl, and he missed 142 games during his 8 years with the Pacers. He spent the last 4 years of his time here wearing a suit for basically half the season each year.

Retiring a player's number shouldn't just be some thing where a guy gets it because he was cool for a few years. It should MEAN something. You've got teams doing stupid stuff like the Heat retiring #23 and #13 for Jordan and Dan Marino. You've got Atlanta who retired #17 because Ted Turner owned the team for 17 years. You've got Orlando who retired #6 for their fans. Those numbers are meaningless.

well yea those are...but those instances are of guys who didnt even play for those teams...so thats not the same as retiring a player who actually had an impact on the franchise...

i guess its just personal opinion...many agree with you that basically you should only get it if you were a HOF or just a longtime face of franchise who did so much and is so completely connected to that team...

and then there are people like me who i believe hey..if you played most of your career here and were an important part of success or face of franchise or just a memorable fan favorite type who was also productive...i have no issues with it..its a team thing...not league wide...do whatever you want to give the fans an opportunity to give praise to usually a very important player...

i guess with the pacers at some point i would maybe want to retire one or two more just so that you can say "we only have had 1 good player in 30-40+ yrs"...at some point that is what it becomes and maybe loosen the reigns a bit and retire a couple guys....Smits was a pretty good player and played there his whole 12yr career...avg 15pts/6reb not some monster i get it...but that was possibly the best era of pacers basketball and he was a mainstay during the whole time...i wouldnt even think twice if they retired his number...feel like that wouldnt be crazy at all...

[Scottish Punk]

Guy hit a championship winning shot and was a big part of the bad boys teams...doesnt seem too crazy to me that they retired it...but whatevs...they do like retiring numbers...i dont mind it...if a guy was an important part of the franchise for a long time...or a big piece of a winning period...or something like that...

like the 03-04 Pistons squad looks like its gonna end up with 3or4 of them retired at some point...and i think i could make an argument that even Tayshaun could deserve it and just retire all 5....they won a title...went to gm7 the next yr and overall went to like what-6 str eastern conf.finals....that is a prolonged period of alot of success for a franchise that overall is kind of middle of the pack historically in the success column...basically 2 periods...bad boys and goin to work...why not retire quite a few from those two groups...

so then when you look at detroit who has 3 nba championships then look at memphis they have nothing...so what? do they just never retire anyone? every team will have different standards for what they deem to be retired...

someone mentioned the Pacers and that like only Reggie is retired...to me that is ridiculous...not like they are some elite franchise and only absolute HOF players can ever be retired...

I absolutely love the bad boys. I get that the "Microwave" was a big part of the run, but so was Mahorn, Aguirre, and Salley. I think the only ones that should be retired are Laimbeer, Dumars, and Thomas. I can live with Rodman since he was a HOF and earned his stripes with the Pistons. They got it right with 03-04 team with just Billups, Rip, and Ben.

[dasiegel]

I think it's absurd that guys like Randolph and Allen are getting retired. It's one thing if a guy like Udonis Haslem was retired by the team. He was drafted there, part of several title teams and did it for a long time. Even that I think is a close call because he was never a top 2-3 player. But these guys have like 7-8 year runs are maybe the 2nd through 5th best players on the team, the team never wins a title or even come close to one and role players are getting retired? I must be getting old.

[drobfan8]

Why do people still not get that defense is a thing?

How many dpoy and defensive teams does he have?

Just as important as a guy that's averaged 25 pts

Love Tony Allen. In fact I grabbed his TC Refractor Rc not long ago

[SteveO21]

well yea those are...but those instances are of guys who didnt even play for those teams...so thats not the same as retiring a player who actually had an impact on the franchise...

i guess its just personal opinion...many agree with you that basically you should only get it if you were a HOF or just a longtime face of franchise who did so much and is so completely connected to that team...

and then there are people like me who i believe hey..if you played most of your career here and were an important part of success or face of franchise or just a memorable fan favorite type who was also productive...i have no issues with it..its a team thing...not league wide...do whatever you want to give the fans an opportunity to give praise to usually a very important player...

i guess with the pacers at some point i would maybe want to retire one or two more just so that you can say "we only have had 1 good player in 30-40+ yrs"...at some point that is what it becomes and maybe loosen the reigns a bit and retire a couple guys....Smits was a pretty good player and played there his whole 12yr career...avg 15pts/6reb not some monster i get it...but that was possibly the best era of pacers basketball and he was a mainstay during the whole time...i wouldnt even think twice if they retired his number...feel like that wouldnt be crazy at all...

That's the sticking point for me, and where we disagree. I feel like jersey # retirements should be reserved for iconic players. Retiring jersey #'s for "pretty good" players is silly to me. I'm not going to get upset about it because it really doesn't matter but I'd prefer teams go the Pacers route and reserve that honor for truly iconic faces of the franchise.

[Deadshot]

If I had to retire another Pacer, it'd be Granger over Smits. He was the face of the franchise for a long time. But I like the way they have it now - retiring a number is a really big deal for them. I feel like some other franchises have just become impatient.

[spurs50fan]

I think it's cool. Only problem is it's going to get crowded up there quick :)!

[SteveO21]

If I had to retire another Pacer, it'd be Granger over Smits. He was the face of the franchise for a long time. But I like the way they have it now - retiring a number is a really big deal for them. I feel like some other franchises have just become impatient.

I'd definitely go Granger before anyone else. Sucks how the tail end of his career was derailed by injuries but that dude put the franchise on his back at their lowest point and dragged them up out of the post-brawl hell they were in.

[jstasyk1121]

That's the sticking point for me, and where we disagree. I feel like jersey # retirements should be reserved for iconic players. Retiring jersey #'s for "pretty good" players is silly to me. I'm not going to get upset about it because it really doesn't matter but I'd prefer teams go the Pacers route and reserve that honor for truly iconic faces of the franchise.

and if they just never have another HOF caliber player?? then they just never retire anything...and i think that makes them look worse then if they retired like 4 guys and maybe 3 of the 4 were more 2nd tier players than superstars...but that played long time with the team and were popular players..but yea...like i said there are definitely people on both sides...and thats fine...i just dont mind if a team is a little more lenient with the honor...

[gussiethebussie]

lol @ being surprised by this or saying he doesnt deserve it.

they play at the "Grindhouse" and hes the "Grindfather"

[pac213up]

Boston never should've let him go. Probably have another banner if he stayed.

One of Ainges few misses as GM

Ugh....so true.

[SteveO21]

and if they just never have another HOF caliber player?? then they just never retire anything...and i think that makes them look worse then if they retired like 4 guys and maybe 3 of the 4 were more 2nd tier players than superstars...but that played long time with the team and were popular players..but yea...like i said there are definitely people on both sides...and thats fine...i just dont mind if a team is a little more lenient with the honor...

The amount of retired numbers a team has doesn't reflect how good or bad the franchise is. The Bulls have the same number of retired numbers as the Pacers and the Bulls have 6 NBA Championships. Being more selective with who you choose to retire just makes the club more exclusive, which isn't a bad thing. If everyone gets their numbers retired the whole premise of a jersey retirement loses its luster.

[jstasyk1121]

I'd definitely go Granger before anyone else. Sucks how the tail end of his career was derailed by injuries but that dude put the franchise on his back at their lowest point and dragged them up out of the post-brawl hell they were in.

i mean that may be overstating him a bit...he played there about 8yrs...3 of which were either injured or a non factor early in career...so for 5yrs he was solid...1x all star...0x anything else...i mean Smits was a 1x all star too...lol...idk...that seems like an odd choice...5yrs of value...no real success...(went to playoffs 3x...1st rd/1st rd/2nd rd)...seems pretty thin to say he would be the next choice if you had to pick...

i mean at that point gimme P.George then...only like 100gms less in Pacers Uniform...4x AS...6x playoffs ...couple trips to ECF i believe...3x all NBA....3x all DEF

[jmmintz]

I feel like jersey # retirements should be reserved for iconic players.

This is the disconnect between Memphis and everyone else. He is absolutely, 100% iconic here. He's beloved.

We split our season tickets with friends, and I didn't get opening night when we split them up - we play New Orleans, so it's TA's first trip back (not counting the pre-season game against them.) We went ahead and bought extras because there was NO WAY I was missing that game.

There are always players with a franchise who mean so much more than just the stats they put up, and for us, that's Tony. The things he's done for the ethos of the franchise and the things he's done in the community here are things that folk who aren't here don't/won't understand.

Retiring his number is a no-brainer.

[gslayton]

I was happy to hear that and I'm by no means a Grizzlies guy. Prime Kobe went against him many times and had this to say. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171012/e4bc8ef3234d3cf28f99edf35f5a0967.jpg

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[jstasyk1121]

The amount of retired numbers a team has doesn't reflect how good or bad the franchise is. The Bulls have the same number of retired numbers as the Pacers and the Bulls have 6 NBA Championships. Being more selective with who you choose to retire just makes the club more exclusive, which isn't a bad thing. If everyone gets their numbers retired the whole premise of a jersey retirement loses its luster.

to be honest im not up on my Pacers history...i saw the comment saying reggie only guy...looked up and saw they have 4...so that changes my view...i thought it was literally only Reggie swinging up there...and to me that is not a good look for a team that has been around 40+ yrs...just my opinion...yea the bulls have 6 rings...but they are all from the same core of MJ/Pippen/Phil who are all up there...they really never had any run of success outside of that group...so that kinda makes sense to me...

my point was in thinking it was only Reggie...and to me that just kind of highlights failure in a way...like we havent had anyone else ever worthy of that? just differing ways to look at it is all...some teams have gone a big overboard i agree...but with a younger team like Memphis i dont see an issue honestly...seems a few fans of them have stated that he was a huge piece to them and the fans really appreciate him..and to me this is about the fans in a way...

[bkamm1]

i mean that may be overstating him a bit...he played there about 8yrs...3 of which were either injured or a non factor early in career...so for 5yrs he was solid...1x all star...0x anything else...i mean Smits was a 1x all star too...lol...idk...that seems like an odd choice...5yrs of value...no real success...(went to playoffs 3x...1st rd/1st rd/2nd rd)...seems pretty thin to say he would be the next choice if you had to pick...

i mean at that point gimme P.George then...only like 100gms less in Pacers Uniform...4x AS...6x playoffs ...couple trips to ECF i believe...3x all NBA....3x all DEF

You really have to put this in perspective. Since moving to Memphis and looking ahead 10-15 years how many legendary NBA players have/will the Grizzlies have.....none (excluding Vince, not his prime.....and Iverson of course 👍)

Retiring a number is symbolic of what you meant to the team... not the league. Memphis was and should be a yearly lottery team based on desirability and Shi$&y drafting. They have more consecutive playoff appearances than anyone but SAS I believe and have been more than relevant for 7-8 years consecutively. TA and Zbo were a huge part of that. Not only for that but for community involvement, morale, hell TA was the Memphis city airport Ambassador. A Memphis team has actually been one of the most successful franchises of the last decade. Don't give me the title nonsense, in the last 18 years only 5 west teams have even made the finals.

No one was more symbolic of the last decade than TA, if you don't follow the Griz you may not understand, but if you do this is a no brainer. TA WAS the epitome of the entire brand of basketball Memphis played. If anyone deserved to have their number retired by Memphis, it's him.

[Cavaliercards]

Hope they retire Marc's Jersey when he goes

[jstasyk1121]

You really have to put this in perspective. Since moving to Memphis and looking ahead 10-15 years how many legendary NBA players have/will the Grizzlies have.....none (excluding Vince, not his prime.....and Iverson of course 👍)

Retiring a number is symbolic of what you meant to the team... not the league. Memphis was and should be a yearly lottery team based on desirability and Shi$&y drafting. They have more consecutive playoff appearances than anyone but SAS I believe and have been more than relevant for 7-8 years consecutively. TA and Zbo were a huge part of that. Not only for that but for community involvement, morale, hell TA was the Memphis city airport Ambassador. A Memphis team has actually been one of the most successful franchises of the last decade. Don't give me the title nonsense, in the last 18 years only 5 west teams have even made the finals.

No one was more symbolic of the last decade than TA, if you don't follow the Griz you may not understand, but if you do this is a no brainer. TA WAS the epitome of the entire brand of basketball Memphis played. If anyone deserved to have their number retired by Memphis, it's him.

im not sure why you quoted me...ive been on the side of having no issue with it...what you quoted was about someone saying Danny Granger would be the next Pacer to get his number retired...

[jhardy]

I get it. I really do. He didn't have an offensive game to speak of, but dude was an INSANE defender. He is respected not only by Memphis fans, but his peers as well. I put a lot more respect into what NBA players say about each other than people who've never stepped foot on a basketball court. See Grant's post above regarding Kobe's respect for TA when he said Tony was the best defender he faced. Dude is fearless. He is well known to watch hours of film to prepare for his next game's defensive assignment. He is beloved by a blue-collar fan base because of his work ethic on and off the court.

What he brought to the team, fans and city was heart. He created the "Grit 'n Grind" mantra the Grizzlies have embodied the last several years. I mean . . . TA was instrumental in FedEx forum being called the Grindhouse. TA was dubbed the Grindfather! The franchise, his teammates and fans all fed off his electric energy and personality. Clearly, he meant a lot to his team and fans.

Last thought . . . I think a lot of the I-don't-watch-NBA-because-they-don't-play-hard-or-with-heart-cause-they're-getting-paid-to-play college basketball fans were won over by Tony's work ethic. When he was on the court he played HARD. He never let up for a second. Having gone to several games in Memphis and watching him play, I have to agree with the other Memphians when they say you just have to be there. The excitement level when he was on the floor was awesome.

[SteveO21]

i mean that may be overstating him a bit...he played there about 8yrs...3 of which were either injured or a non factor early in career...so for 5yrs he was solid...1x all star...0x anything else...i mean Smits was a 1x all star too...lol...idk...that seems like an odd choice...5yrs of value...no real success...(went to playoffs 3x...1st rd/1st rd/2nd rd)...seems pretty thin to say he would be the next choice if you had to pick...

i mean at that point gimme P.George then...only like 100gms less in Pacers Uniform...4x AS...6x playoffs ...couple trips to ECF i believe...3x all NBA....3x all DEF

If you don't understand Pacers history, as you've stated, then you wouldn't understand why Danny Granger is more important to the franchise than Smits ever was. And Paul George would absolutely be a candidate to have his number retired IF his relationship with the franchise didn't sour so much at the end. But saying Granger is "an odd choice" for a Pacer to have their # retired is just not knowing Pacers history and how important he was to rebuilding the image of the franchise post-brawl.

[SteveO21]

This is the disconnect between Memphis and everyone else. He is absolutely, 100% iconic here. He's beloved.

We split our season tickets with friends, and I didn't get opening night when we split them up - we play New Orleans, so it's TA's first trip back (not counting the pre-season game against them.) We went ahead and bought extras because there was NO WAY I was missing that game.

There are always players with a franchise who mean so much more than just the stats they put up, and for us, that's Tony. The things he's done for the ethos of the franchise and the things he's done in the community here are things that folk who aren't here don't/won't understand.

Retiring his number is a no-brainer.

I absolutely agree. A player has to either have been so good that it's obvious their number should be retired, or mean so much to the franchise/city that it's, as you said, a no-brainer.

[dasiegel]

This is the disconnect between Memphis and everyone else. He is absolutely, 100% iconic here. He's beloved.

We split our season tickets with friends, and I didn't get opening night when we split them up - we play New Orleans, so it's TA's first trip back (not counting the pre-season game against them.) We went ahead and bought extras because there was NO WAY I was missing that game.

There are always players with a franchise who mean so much more than just the stats they put up, and for us, that's Tony. The things he's done for the ethos of the franchise and the things he's done in the community here are things that folk who aren't here don't/won't understand.

Retiring his number is a no-brainer.

I appreciated this post as it is the ebst representation I have read for the opposing argument. As a Knick fan who has never seen his favorite team ever win a championship, I can totally relate to those players who are just life long and true Knicks who played hardcore defense, had a special personality and meant something a little extra to the team. Starks, Oakley and Mason come to mind for me. And if those guys had their jerseys retired I would have appreciated every second of it.

BUT...

I think that a player who gets their number retired should be reserved for the Ewings, Fraziers, Reeds and on other teams, players who were top level guys who on top of that had those great traits off the court and were keys to the organization. If Patrick Beverly had stayed in Houston and had a great starting role and was a great defensive player and great in the community, I'm not in favor of a guy like that having his number retired.

I feel like it should be a really exclusive group. Memphis doesn't need to retire anybody's jersey at this point. At some point they will have true superstar and or a team that goes really far and you can consider a Gasol type player worthy, but not Tony Allen IMO.

[JustinVerlander07]

The Grizzlies will likely end up retiring numbers of 4 players on a team that never even had a finals appearance.

Seems minor league to me.

[TWard]

The Grizzlies will likely end up retiring numbers of 4 players on a team that never even had a finals appearance.

Seems minor league to me.


Thanks for your valuable input.

[JustinVerlander07]

Thanks for your valuable input.

Oh I'm sorry, I don't know the rules of input around here. Enlighten me.

[Jasondr91]

Somewhere Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittenton and especially OJ MAYO are NOT impressed.

Anybody remember THAT card game?

[Pathora]

Well, the Thunder gave out #35 to PJ Dozier so no plans atm on retiring Durant's number...I think it will happen eventually down the line.

[derotter]

MUCH respect to that guy

I’ll be back in Memphis, on a permanent basis, at some point in time. I can guarantee you that. Whether it’s working for this organization, or working somewhere else in the city, or just being one of those old dudes who hangs around Mem, eating barbecue or whatever, and one day you’ll tap some old dude on the shoulder and it’ll be like, Yo, that’s Tony Allen — man, whether it’s any of those things, or whether it’s something else. I’ll be back in Memphis. No doubt.

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/tony-allen-memphis-grizzlies/

[RemusTheOne]

It may seem odd to an outsider, but it's definitely a good thing the organization is doing for not only Tony but the city.

[jmmintz]

MUCH respect to that guy

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/tony-allen-memphis-grizzlies/

This piece captures how much he feels for the city, but multiply that by 100 and you get what we feel about him. We've flown a lot the last few weeks, and the posters in the airport are already down, and it sucks.

We'll be there tonight, and I'm fairly certain that, while I was at the first-ever playoff series win vs. San Antonio, and was at the Golden State playoff series with Mike and his broken face, and so many other series/games that have been epic...the loudest the Forum has ever been will be tonight when they announce TA.