Ahead of Tony Allen's jersey retirement, Ja Morant says Grizzlies need to get back to grit-and-grind

Tony Allen paused to ponder what to say next.

"That's a good question," the former Memphis Grizzlies standout said.

The question was simple, but thought-provoking: What would Tony Allen look like on the current Grizzlies team?

"One thing for sure, two things for certain — we definitely gone be competing," Allen said Saturday ahead of his jersey retirement ceremony at FedExForum.

Allen is one of the most beloved Grizzlies players of all time, a key cog during the grit-and-grind Grizzlies era. Since then, that gritty mentality is something the team and the city of Memphis have embraced.

The current Grizzlies team is one that is ultra-talented — arguably more talented than any Grizzlies team in franchise history.

However, words like urgency, intensity and effort have come up in recent weeks while the team's usually elite defense has fallen flat. It's something Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has noticed, and so have players.

After Friday's 133-124 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ja Morant, who has noticeably paid homage to Allen's first-team all-defense celebration throughout the season, noted that the defense could channel some of the energy Allen established.

“I feel like he the heart and soul," Morant said. "Since he got here, it’s what Memphis has been about pretty much. That grit-and-grind. We just got to get back to it, man.”

Grizzlies players remember Tony Allen's impact

Allen has been intentional about making himself available to current Grizzlies players and being around the organization. He still participates in occasional Grizzlies community events and makes a point to be helpful around Memphis.

Allen was helpful for the Grizzlies for seven seasons, where his defense was among the best in the NBA. He made six all-defensive teams and helped Memphis put one of the best defenses on the floor over the course of his tenure.

“He means everything here.," Grizzlies All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. said. "The grindfather. Grit and grind. First team. Whatever you want to say, he is everything. I’m so happy for him. He deserves all of this.”

“I just remember his defensive intensity and his competitiveness he brought to the game," Scotty Pippen Jr. said. "So definitely happy for him.”

Allen on the current Grizzlies?

Basketball has changed a lot since Allen last suited up for the Grizzlies in 2017. In Allen's time, the Grizzlies' offense was slow, methodical and embraced midrange isolations. Today's Grizzlies play at a blistering pace and emphasize shooting 3-pointers and running in transition.

Allen is self aware of his skills. He knows shooting wasn't his strength, but he could fit as an enforcer, and his perimeter defense would be welcomed in any era.

“The way these guys have put on show for this year, I’m pretty sure I could fit right in," Allen said. "They need a guy to come in and clothesline somebody, I can do that. I wouldn’t mind coming off the bench. Let’s just say that.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Ja Morant, Grizzlies said about Tony Allen grit-and-grind

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