Tony Allen, best known for his shutdown defense when with the Memphis Grizzlies, was in deep recently. He had previously been arrested for drug possession in Poinsett County, Arkansas. The arrest, confirmed by the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, marks a troubling turn for the former NBA player who was a key member of the Grizzlies’ successful “Core Four” era alongside Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley.
When they arrested him, authorities found a package containing a leafy substance that was later identified as marijuana. Allen played for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2011-2017. His status as a defensive monster changed the way the other team’s focus shifted, and he gained league-wide recognition for his highly effective work on the defensive end. In March 2023, the franchise retired his number 9 jersey in recognition of the way he changed the organization.
The former player was subsequently charged with two counts of drug possession as a result of this incident. In addition to these recent charges, Allen had previously pleaded guilty in August 2023 to a federal case involving an NBA health insurance and fraud scheme. Such dual-league legal strife begs the question of what’s next for the former player and what this means for his place in the basketball world.
In 2004, Allen’s evolution from talented kid to basketball superstar truly started when the Boston Celtics drafted him. Before that, he turned heads with his skills while starring at Oklahoma State. After leaving the Celtics, he was the anchor of the Grizzlies “Grit and Grind” defense. His work resulted in banging home a playoff-worthy squad during each of his seasons in Memphis. After stepping down from the Grizzlies, Allen finished his NBA playing career with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The “Core Four” era is easily the most successful and most identifiable time in Memphis Grizzlies history. Allen, together with Gasol, Randolph and Conley, led the team to seven-straight playoff runs. The two have since had their jerseys retired by the team. At the same time, Conley remains a force on the court, currently suiting up for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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