Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Allen 2016-17 season review

Now that the 2016-17 NBA season is coming to an end, it’s time to evaluate Tony Allen’s contributions to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Mark Twain once said, “The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skill can persuade it to do otherwise…”

Comparing a quote from one of the great writers in American history to a professional basketball player is over the top.

But Mr. Twain never met Tony Allen. Twain would probably like Allen’s drive.

No one has engineered his career with the Memphis Grizzlies but Allen. He’s created a not-on-the-stat-sheet mentality with the Grizzlies. He’s a fan favorite. He plays stout defense. He hustles on and away from the ball. He’s an unsung hero for Memphis of sorts.

A surprise free agency signing back in 2010, Allen parted from a championship-glazed Boston Celtics franchise. He chose Memphis, a city that is lacking in NBA mystique in comparison to Boston.

Allen, with his persona and attitude, fit with Memphis immediately. He brought some of that Boston blue collar mentality and championship charisma.

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This helped a franchise that became a constant presence in the playoffs with young stars surrounding him like Mike Conley, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol.

Patience and consistent play led Allen to maintain stability with Memphis, even without the statistics to prove it.

In 2016-17, Allen saw a boost in offensive production — a change of the norm from the years past in Memphis and Boston. Allen posted a career-high in points (9.1 per game) and rebounds (5.5 per game) in 27 minutes per game with the Grizzlies.

After the new year on the calendar turned, the Grizzlies showed the league why they were playoff worthy.

In a Jan. 14 contest with the Houston Rockets (31-11 at the time), the Grizzlies rallied from 15 points down the escape with an 110-105 victory. Allen posted a season-high 22 points in the comeback victory.

Again, Allen concocted a defensive philosophy this past season. Known for his fierce and fiery defensive play, Allen maintained his physicality and wits guarding the basket for the Grizzlies.

Allen’s defensive play was highlighted a week before the comeback win in Houston.

He and Memphis knocked off the defending Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors, 128 -119. In the Jan. 6 contest, Allen recorded six steals in the impressive victory over the Dubs at Oracle Arena.

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While Allen, on paper, boasted his best year in offensive productivity, he missed out on the Grizzlies’ postseason trip. Allen left the team’s regular season finale in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks when he was inadvertently kicked in his right calf.

Allen would miss the Memphis Grizzlies’ first round series against the San Antonio Spurs with a right-calf strain. The injury was unfortunate timing for Allen and Grizzlies, but showed no long-term damage for Allen.

Allen had shown during the 2016-17 regular season how to slow down San Antonio Spurs forward and MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard. In three regular season matchups with the Spurs’ All-Star, Allen limited Leonard, San Antonio’s top scorer, to 23-of-54 shooting.

Without Allen on the floor, the Spurs would eliminate the Grizzlies in six games to advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The offseason does bring questions for Allen and the Grizzlies as he enters unrestricted free agency. Leading up the offseason, reports have circulated that Allen could re-sign with the Grizzlies, but also that Memphis will seek a replacement in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Post-Lottery edition

Allen hopes to remain in Memphis and assemble another contract to stay with the Grizzlies, even if it means taking a pay cut at the age of 35.