Tag: tony allen

Grizzlies to retire No. 9 jersey of Tony Allen

The Memphis Grizzlies will retire Tony Allen’s No. 9 on Saturday, March 15, at FedExForum following the game against the Miami Heat.

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.

After signing as a free agent in 2010, Allen helped guide the Grizzlies to the NBA Playoffs in all seven of his seasons in Memphis (2010-17) and factored into the club’s first postseason victory in 2011 and the team’s trip to the 2013 Western Conference Finals. The Chicago native ranks second in franchise history in steals (762) and ranks in the top 10 in games played (462; 6th), offensive rebounds (741; 9th), blocks (217; 10th) and minutes (11,588; 10th).

Allen was named to the NBA All-Defensive team six times during his seven years with the Grizzlies, receiving three First Team accolades (2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15) and three Second Team honors (2010-11, 2015-16, 2016-17). With Allen defending the perimeter, the Grizzlies ranked in the NBA’s top 10 in points allowed six times in seven seasons, surrendering a league-best 89.3 points in the 2012-13 season during a franchise-record 56-26 campaign.

Bulls waive Tony Allen

The Chicago Bulls waived veteran guard/forward Tony Allen today.

Allen was acquired on February 1 in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Bulls are undergoing a youth movement, building for the future, so they apparently didn’t see a need for Allen’s services.

A defensive-minded player, Allen was playing just 12.4 minutes per game for the Pelicans this season prior to being traded to the Bulls.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 16.

Pelicans sign Tony Allen

Pelicans sign Tony Allen

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent guard/forward Tony Allen.

Allen, 6-4, 213, most recently played for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2010-17, appearing in 462 regular season games (359 starts) and averaging 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals. This past season for Memphis, Allen averaged 9.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 71 games (66 starts).

Originally drafted 25th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma State, the Chicago native has appeared in 798 regular season games with Boston and Memphis (441 starts), holding career averages of 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals. During his 13-year career, Allen has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2012, 2013, 2015) and the Second Team three times (2011, 2016, 2017), joining LeBron James (6) and Chris Paul (9) as the only active NBA players named to at least six NBA All-Defensive Teams.

Additionally, Allen has appeared in 112 career postseason games (50 starts), averaging 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals, while helping Boston capture the 2008 NBA Championship.

Tony Allen suspended for kicking Chris Paul in the face

Tony Allen

Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen has been suspended one game without pay for kicking Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers in the face, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

That’s right, folks. Just in case you were wondering, kicking a player in the face is not considered a valid defensive basketball play. And now you know!

But seriously: Allen jumped high in the air and while it’s not like he wound up and unleashed a blatant, premeditated roundhouse kick, it was still a wild, out-of-control move, and the end result was what amounted to a boot to CP3’s head.

The incident, for which Allen was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ 106-102 win over the Clippers on Monday, Nov. 18, at Staples Center.

Allen will serve his suspension on Wednesday, Nov. 20 when the Grizzlies play the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.

To view the play, click on this link.