Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley Dealt to Utah Jazz; Rest in Peace to GNG

The Memphis Grizzlies’ infamous Core Four era officially came to a close on Wednesday as the team traded Mike Conley after 12 years of service.

We are gathered here today to discuss the memories of the Core Four in the Memphis Grizzlies organization. These four men wore the Beale Street Blue for many years until management, coaching, and everything changed for the younger core and veterans of the Grizzlies. We say goodbye to Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and now Mike Conley. The Core Four left for retirement, the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and now the Utah Jazz. Let the ceremony begin.

The Doors Open

Let the doors of the chapel open as we celebrate the Core Four and Grit and Grind for all that the Grizzlies have been through for years. Would anybody would like to say anything about the Core Four era?

Fan #1

I would like to say I was a huge fan of Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. I loved when Allen would play the passing lanes and strip the ball from the perimeter and take it to hoop hard. He was a premier defender and the premier shooting guard of our generation although he barely shot threes. Randolph was a great rebounder of his time and a finisher in the post. I loved the 2011 series with the San Antonio Spurs when we dominated them to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. We dominated Dejuan Blair and Tim Duncan. Zach went to work every night. Now that he is in Sacramento, the whole concept is dead. I miss the old team.

Fan #2

I’m a Mike Conley fan, I loved when he defends on the floor. I also loved it when he was the only person who could shoot the three back then. Marc Gasol has a three-point shot but it is sometimes inconsistent. I also loved Marc. He has a dominant presence defensively and could shoot. Like I said, his three could improve, but I love the way he plays.

Now that the fans had something to say and the sermon is complete, it is time to read the Eulogy.

The Eulogy

Zachary Randolph, Marc Gasol de Sáez, Mike Conley Jr., and Anthony “Tony” Allen were known to Memphis as the Core Four. They all had one purpose and that was to defend, dominate, and win. In their first playoff run and second major playoff run, they were close to the NBA Finals. However, with management, coaching, and personnel changes, the Core Four was no more. The phrase “Grit and Grind” originally came from Tony Allen. The phrase is now dead. As we bury the concept and keep the Core Four memories alive. A moment of silence for the separated players.

Moment of Silence

The Benediction and The Passing of the Torch:

As we close this service, we like to thank every Grizzlies fan who read and came to the funeral today. We also want to pass the torch to the new Grizzlies franchise piece Jaren Jackson Jr. Let the service end. All rise in silence and pallbearers rise to carry the concept out.

The Burial

Here lies the Core Four concept and the Grit and Grind concept. We thank everyone for coming out and celebrating and remembering the good times and bad of the Core Four. As we lower this casket, everyone say your final goodbyes to the concepts.

Ashes to ashes dust to dust. May you all go in peace.