Tony Allen never misses playing with Alvin Gentry and the Pelicans.
Allen, whose NBA career spanned from 2005 to 2018, appeared on the Grizzlies' Grind City Media Network's “Chris Vernon Show” on Tuesday and talked about his time with the Pelicans during the 2017-18 season. I made it.
“Yeah, he was one of the worst coaches in the world,” Allen said of Gentry.
“He was old. [He used to] Forget speeches like, “Guys, now we…what are they doing wrong?” He'd say, 'Hey, we all rebounded, but uh… what else did we do?' Oh yeah, let's get back to transition,'' Allen recalled.
The Pelicans are owned by the Benson family, who also own the Saints, but Allen said the Pelicans are clearly second fiddle.
“Sometimes we practiced on the soccer field. We would shoot baskets at the hoop. [post]… Whatever the Saints didn't eat, we got the leftovers. Shout out to the Pelicans. “That’s the worst organization,” he said.
Allen began his career with the Celtics, where he developed an affinity with the Grizzlies' fan base as a defensive stopper.
In seven seasons with Memphis, Allen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team six times.
In a 2018 interview, Kobe Bryant said without hesitation that Allen was the best defender he had ever faced during his prolific NBA career.
“Tony Allen, that's easy, it was Tony Allen,” Bryant said.
“He was the only one who wasn't crying for help. He never asked for help saying, 'Hey, help me here, I need help, double, double.'” Tony Allen would play straight, I would give him 10 points in a row, and he wouldn't blink. He's still there, he's still playing defense, he's staying physical. He never took a step back. Tony Allen, by far. I was scratched all over the place after playing against Tony Allen, but I loved it.”
Last month, the Grizzlies announced that Allen's No. 9 jersey will be retired before the Grizzlies face the Heat on March 15, 2025.
