Coach or Analyst: Best Role for Former Grizzlies Legend?

Once Tony Allen calls it quits for his playing career, where will he make an impact on the game of basketball? 

On Tuesday, former Memphis Grizzlies star defenseman, Tony Allen, joined Kevin Garnett’s TNT segment — Area 21.

Allen, a former teammate of Garnett in Boston with the 2008 NBA World Champion Celtics squad, has made a handful of appearances on national television segments and shows over the past several years. This has been since his emergence as one of the NBA’s all-time greatest defenders.

The former Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward discussed on-set where he sees himself providing the most influence in future years. KG’s Area 21 provided the footage on their Twitter account.

Grizz fans know this is classic Tony Allen. Selfless. Motivational. Humble. Hungry.

“The Grindfather,” as he became known in Memphis, is looking to share his knowledge and experience to develop young players.

It would be the perfect match to one day see Allen land with the Grizzlies as a member of their coaching staff. However, considering the hurdles the 14-year NBA veteran has leaped in his lifetime, imagine the greater good he could lend toward youth in AAU leagues. Perhaps the college ranks, too, while assisting players’ development to become professional athletes and even better human beings.

It is always enjoyable to listen to Tony Allen as he makes television appearances. Whether it is a funny story from his Grizz days or a life lesson, he owns the personality that it takes to be successful in front of a camera.

If a coaching position — on any level — does not open itself to Tony when he is ready to commit his career to it, he definitely has the tools it takes to be a basketball analyst on live television. He mixes his tremendous basketball knowledge with the interpersonal skills and comfortability to shine on camera.

Allen is currently a free-agent basketball player. Prior to his departure from the Memphis Grizzlies via Free-Agency last summer, he appeared in just 22 games with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017-18. The Pelicans traded him as part of a deal with the Chicago Bulls at the NBA Trade Deadline in February, but was waived shortly thereafter.

It remains to be seen if No. 9 will return to the hardwood in an NBA uniform, but he surely could provide some productive minutes on the defensive end for a slew of NBA franchises today.

Regardless of the role “The Grindfather” assumes once he calls it quits for his playing career, he undoubtedly needs to remain around the game. Based off his NBA playing career, it is easy to see that Tony will succeed in any role.

Go Grizz!