The Memphis Grizzlies, coming off their most exciting and successful season ever, decided to part ways with head coach Lionel Hollins. That's three head coaches that finished 3,4,and 5 in the competitive Western Conference this year.
Oh yeah...and one coach of the year...gone.
Conventional wisdom would suggest the Grizzlies' next move should be to replace the head coach. But in fact, the Grizzlies' most pressing issue is re-signing free agent to be Tony Allen.
Allen...aka..."The Grind Father"...did not just coin the phrase "Grit and Grind"...he embodies it. A world champion himself, Allen turned a fledgeling small market NBA team into a tough nosed slug it out band of brothers. He did it with effort....and he did it with consistency.
Not Rudy Gay...not Zach Randolph.
Since coming to Memphis as a free agent, Tony Allen has been the premier on ball defender in the league. His passion is contagious..and his presence carries a big stick in the locker room.
Don't believe me...then ask O.J. Mayo, who received a Tony "two piece" on a plane ride a few years back.
That's a beat down for those who thought I was talking about chicken....
But I digress.
Keeping Tony Allen on the roster should be the top priority for the Memphis Grizzlies. With Tony re-signed and on board, the Grizzlies keep their identity...as well as the best defender in the league. And that's regardless of who the new head coach is.
Without Allen, it may be hard for any coach to demand or replicate the energy that Allen brought to not just the team, but the entire city. You saw it, people of all ages and races chanting "whoop dat trick" in unison.
In Memphis Tennessee of all places.
Only Tony Allen.
Now is the time to build on the momentum...to increase season ticket sales. Good luck with that...in Memphis...with no Grind Father. follow @plcolter
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment