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Congrats…?

That’s crazy. Was Allen ever even an Allstar with them? (No)… I mean I guess these tanking teams need something to hang up there….funny part is although he sat on the bench, he did win a championship with us… not that we would ever consider retiring his number…but sheeesh it’s a bit of a lower bar that other teams have…good for Tony to be rewarded and leaving a legacy there.

Allen was one of my fav players here. I always wondered what he could become if he doesnt go down vs Indy.

My fave gane of him was vs LA in the Garden in 06 or 07. It was probably his best defensive performance

It's not like the Celtics haven't retired a bunch of sus numbers.

Memphis had moderate success with their grit and grind style of play that TA played a huge role in. They will never be a free agent destination and they realize their success will depend on style of play more than talent so its as if they are trying to solidify a culture by retiring his number.
He was also singled out by Kobe as the toughest defender he faced. Again, he probably represents the style of play the organization wants to be known for. I loved him here and wished he never left. Once he realized hed never be a great offensive player, he understood his role and embraced it.

gocelts wrote:Congrats…?

That’s crazy. Was Allen ever even an Allstar with them? (No)… I mean I guess these tanking teams need something to hang up there….funny part is although he sat on the bench, he did win a championship with us… not that we would ever consider retiring his number…but sheeesh it’s a bit of a lower bar that other teams have…good for Tony to be rewarded and leaving a legacy there.

Teams retire number for different reasons. Allen helped legitmaized the griz and was kind of a cult hero


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Good for Tony. He was one of my favs when he was a C.

Congrats Tony!
does he deserve it? *shrug* it's the Griz. their most famous player is a guy who went on to do better on another team (conley).

that's awesome. Congratulations to the GrindFather!

ParticleMan wrote:Congrats Tony!
does he deserve it? *shrug* it's the Griz. their most famous player is a guy who went on to do better on another team (conley).

I thought you were going to say Pau Gasol.

Love me some TA! Maybe top 10 personal fav Celtic. And my first Realgm avatar.

So congrats Tony! I didn’t see hof for him, but understand that he was important part of Grizzlore.

Now I guess we have one more reason to make a pilgrimage to Memphis.

Triple M wrote:Allen was one of my fav players here. I always wondered what he could become if he doesnt go down vs Indy.

My fave gane of him was vs LA in the Garden in 06 or 07. It was probably his best defensive performance

There was that year Pierce got hurt and Tony was our guy for a few games before he himself got hurt. He played phenomenally well in those games and could have had a better career. That being said he was the best defender I ever saw and definitely the best defender in Grizzlies history. Didn’t Kobe say he was the toughest defender he ever faced?

SuperDeluxe wrote:

ParticleMan wrote:Congrats Tony!
does he deserve it? *shrug* it's the Griz. their most famous player is a guy who went on to do better on another team (conley).

I thought you were going to say Pau Gasol.

Or Marc. There does seem to be a theme.

TommyForever wrote:

Triple M wrote:Allen was one of my fav players here. I always wondered what he could become if he doesnt go down vs Indy.

My fave gane of him was vs LA in the Garden in 06 or 07. It was probably his best defensive performance

There was that year Pierce got hurt and Tony was our guy for a few games before he himself got hurt. He played phenomenally well in those games and could have had a better career. That being said he was the best defender I ever saw and definitely the best defender in Grizzlies history. Didn’t Kobe say he was the toughest defender he ever faced?

Came to say this. Before he blew out his ACL he was on a tear. I wonder what his career may have looked like if that had never happened.

Different players have all kinds of different impacts to organizations. Tony Allen didn't bring a championship to Memphis but he helped make the Grizz legit. Organizations can retire numbers for any reason they see fit, there are no rules. I have no problem with this move.

Congrats Tony Allen!

TheOGJabroni wrote:

SuperDeluxe wrote:

ParticleMan wrote:Congrats Tony!
does he deserve it? *shrug* it's the Griz. their most famous player is a guy who went on to do better on another team (conley).

I thought you were going to say Pau Gasol.

Or Marc. There does seem to be a theme.

Neither Marc nor Conley went on to do better with another team though. They clearly were at their prime in Memphis. They've just been on better teams since leaving, not better themselves.

Don't get me wrong, I love Tony Allen.....but he in no way, shape, or form deserves to have his number retired. By these metrics the Grizzlies will find themselves without numbers to give to their players inside of 20 years.

Might be a bit of a stretch but Memphis doesn’t have much history, glad for TA!

I loved Tony Allen. Glad he received some props!

He would be a footnote in Celtic’s history.


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No way.
Doesn't pass the criteria.
1 phenomenal stats
2 longevity, consistency
3 extenuating circumstances

I don't know. 7 seasons? All defensive teams? Were they first team all defensive.

In theory, would Smarts number go in rafters as of today?

Well deserved.
Not all franchise have the luxury we have of having so many titles.

For the Grizzlies, that was their golden era so far with Marc Gasol, Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. It was a great team. You have to encourage fans and this is a nice idea.