Dunks are probably the most exciting part of basketball, and a player dunks on another player is even more exciting. Perhaps no other player in the last two decades has generated as much excitement as the Denver Nuggets ByAndre Jordanwho used to post people daily with the Los Angeles Clippers. Even the Memphis Grizzlies‘ Tony Allenone of the toughest defenders of his era, faced the full force of a DeAndre Jordan poster.
During a recent appearance on The Chris Vernon Show, Allen cited Jordan’s dunk on him in the playoffs as the best dunk he’s ever seen.
“I’m trying to play team defense,” the Grizzlies forward said, while watching the replay. “Because that was supposed to be my handoff, I’m supposed to come out there and handoff, right? And I got there a little too late, and man, Chris Paul looked away and threw that MF like that. I was like, ‘Oh my God.’ That’s when I knew. I knew for sure, and I was like, ‘Oh, yo, he’s gonna finish this.’”
The Grizzlies at the Grindhouse
Fans who loved watching defense surely loved watching the Grizzlies in the early 2010s, whose stifling defense earned their home court the nickname “The Grindhouse.” Likewise, the team’s style of play relied on energy and teamwork—“Grit and Grind”—rather than star power to win games, unlike other playoff teams of the era. With Marc Gasol protecting the paint and Tony Allen on the perimeter, no one wanted to play the Grizzlies at their peak.
Defense does have its consequences, though, one of which is another player putting you on the map, like DeAndre Jordan dunks on Tony Allen. However, the Grindfather obviously knows that this is part of playing stalwart defense.
Allen was part of the 2008 Boston Celtics team whose defense led them to the championship. Despite being a relatively small guard, Allen’s tenacious defense selections won to three All-Defense first teams and three All-Defense second teams.
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Back to fame
Although the Grit and Grind era is over, Grizzlies add Marcus Smartanother former Celtic known for his defensive acumen. However, unlike Allen, Smart wins Defensive Player of the Year awardDespite injuries that cut his first season short, he should bring stability and leadership to a young team whose audacity sometimes seems to outweigh its talent.
The Grizzlies are also in transition. Losing, he was a big trash-talker Dillon Brooks to Houston Rockets and the addition of Smart in exchange signals a welcome change. Ja Morant’s heavy suspension and his recovery from injury should prompt him to prove why he is still one of the best playmakers in the league.
Expect them to enter the 2024-25 campaign with more maturity and courage, much like their predecessors.
