Tony Allen on Ja Morant: 'I want him to take his time with his injury'

It’s easy to tell, just by being around you, that the fire for the game still burns. Have you considered getting into coaching? Does something like that have any interest in the future for Tony Allen? Tony Allen: Well with the way they’re letting defense come back in the game now, I wouldn’t mind coaching. Coaching is an opportunity for me to pull out some of these slick techniques I used to use when I was playing and if I ever got the opportunity, I definitely wouldn’t shy away from it. I definitely would embrace it like I do anything else — give it 110 percent. Giving my knowledge to the game, would be me giving back, honestly. Because they took the art of defense out of the game for these past six, seven years. And to see how they’re calling the game now, letting you be a little more physical, if coaches need that deep, physical presence, I wouldn’t mind sharing. I wouldn’t shy away from the opportunity. Trust. -via New York Times / May 25, 2024

When you hear about your jersey getting retired in Memphis given everything you’ve given the city and Grizzlies in your career, how does that resonate with you?  Tony Allen: Oh man, It’s a dream come true, honestly. This is every hooper’s dream and I’m very thankful. Big shout out to the Grizzlies for always holding it down for me. Embracing me. Acknowledging the fact that I struck a match to the organization with my phrase ‘Grit-n-Grind’ and that lives forever. Now we’re going to raise the jersey of No. 9. I’m a Grizzly forever. -via New York Times / May 25, 2024

Another member of the Memphis Grizzlies “core four” is expected to receive an upcoming jersey retirement ceremony. The Grizzlies are planning to retire Tony Allen’s jersey during the 2024-25 season, the former All-NBA defender told The Commercial Appeal. Allen would be the third Grizzlies player with a jersey in the rafters, joining Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. “Yeah, they told me next year I’m going to get my jersey retired,” Allen said. -via Memphis Commercial Appeal / May 7, 2024

“Everything is going well,” Jenkins said. “Ja is the only one when June rolls around, he’s going to be pretty close to full go on the court. Everything that everyone was dealing with towards the end of the season is in a good place right now.” -via Memphis Commercial Appeal / May 21, 2024

On Monday, Silver provided the latest updates on his conversations with the point guard. “He and I have checked in with each other over the course of the season but more importantly, working with the players’ association, we have regular check-ins with him and his team around him and have done that throughout the year,” Silver said during a meeting with national sports editors in the NBA’s New York office. “All the reports have come back very positive.” -via Memphis Commercial Appeal / May 6, 2024

Ja Morant has hired Mike Miller of Lift Sports Management as his new representation. Miller also represents Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. -via RealGM / April 25, 2024