HoopsHype.com Rumors

Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen will host his “Tony Allen Karaoke Night” at the Kroc Center (800 East Parkway, Memphis 38104) on Tuesday, April 16 from 6-8 p.m. to benefit the Juvenile Intervention and Faith-Based Follow-Up (JIFF). NBA.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen 

Tony Allen: Get Well BIG Homie!!! @kobebryant Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Tony Allen, Injuries 

There has also been scuttlebutt Ellis would be quite receptive to signing with the Memphis Grizzlies. Ellis has a home outside of Memphis and spends a considerable amount of time there during the offseason. But the Grizzlies have one of the NBA’s premier defensive shooting guards in Tony Allen who, while being an UFA this summer, is expected to return to the team. More importantly, the Grizzlies have little wiggle room on the cap as they already have guaranteed contracts totaling $60.5 million for next season. Racine Journal-Times

Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Monta Ellis, Tony Allen 

Shooting guard Tony Allen said coaching without any guarantee beyond this season hasn’t affected Hollins, and he’s almost certain that it won’t entering the playoffs. “What’s impressed me about him is he’s kept his poise. He hasn’t been nervous,” Allen said. “He’s just been plain old, hard-nosed Hollins. I like it. He’s been keeping his composure and willing us to victories. That’s big for us.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Tony Allen, Lionel Hollins 

Sean Cunningham: Fan near #Grizzlies bench asked Tony Allen for his autograph. "I can't sign during game...but you can take all these pictures!" & he posed Twitter @News10Sean

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen 

Allen could be one of the NBA’s most coveted free agents this summer. And this is the time of year when media following teams heading into the offseason with money to spend start probing potential targets. However, Allen continues to make his pending trip to free agency a nonissue and insists his focus is squarely on the Grizzlies making a deep run in the playoffs. “I’m bleeding blue right now, so I haven’t thought past the Grizzlies,” Allen said when asked about the Portland Trail Blazers as a possible destination after a Grizzlies win Wednesday night in the Rose Garden. “I ain’t thinking about free agency. I’m thinking about a championship.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Tony Allen 

Allen has made it clear he’d like continue the grit-and-grind movement he gave birth to in Memphis and retire with the Grizzlies. The main question is, how much will the team’s new management value Allen? He will earn $3.3 million this season, the final year of a three-year deal. Allen is sure to have plenty of suitors looking to instantly change a team’s defensive identity and willing to offer more than he earns now. Although Allen tries to deflect free-agency talk, he clearly has criteria. “Being in the right situation, being able to fit, being a piece moving forward in a team’s championship goals just being a priority,” Allen said. “And obviously, putting my family in a good situation. But for the most part, I don’t even think about it. I just go out there and play, play hard and let God take care of the rest.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Tony Allen 

Would Allen fit in everywhere? It's a question many teams will wonder this summer. Allen, 31, will be a free agent in the offseason and will be looking to improve on the three-year, $9.7 million deal he signed in 2010. Multiple rival team executives told SI.com that Allen is likely to get a slight raise -- "Three years at $4 million per year sounds right," said an Eastern Conference GM -- and that he will have plenty of suitors. "I like him a lot," said an Eastern Conference executive. "He adds instant toughness and a defensive mentality to your team. He's a leader on the floor and he isn't going to back down from anyone. I think everyone in the league would love to have him." SI.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Tony Allen 

Allen isn't just physical. He is a student of defense. Before every game, Allen sits in his locker, iPad in his hands, laptop right beside him. Both devices are showing edited clips of the players Allen will have to defend that night. Allen takes them everywhere. To the training room. To the shower. To the bathroom. Yeah, to the bathroom. It's part of a carefully planned routine that Allen will never break. SI.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen 

Tony Allen: Well, I just think we turned into the team that we were two years ago, without the guy that we traded. Obviously, we’ve made some additions, but for the most part we’re the same team from that 2010-11 season (...) Just Grit and Grind, in and out basketball. Everybody playing hard, playing together. HoopsWorld

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Tony Allen 

When asked why the Memphis Grizzlies have been playing better in recent weeks, Tony Allen had this to say: "Well, I just think we turned into the team that we were two years ago, without the guy that we traded. Obviously, we've made some additions, but for the most part we're the same team from that 2010-11 season. Just Grit and Grind, in and out basketball. Everybody playing hard, playing together." Sulia

Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Tony Allen 

An NBA advance scout looks at the race for the Defensive Player of the Year award: "If you're asking me, no single player can be called the Defensive Player of the Year," he said. "It's really a defensive team effort. "Memphis has a very good team defense, and Tony Allen is a hell of a defender. Chicago has a great team effort defensively -- Luol Deng is very good, and so is Joakim Noah. "You could say Kevin Garnett is the spearhead of Boston's defense. But then you also have to take into account that any defensive scheme relies on ball pressure. Without ball pressure, your scheme doesn't get in play. Without Avery Bradley, their team defense doesn't go anywhere. SI.com

Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Luol Deng, Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, Joakim Noah, Kevin Garnett 

Ryan Wolstat: Tony Allen told me to: "Come talk to a gangsta," then told me that he is impressed with Ed and sees big potential with him Twitter @WolstatSun

Memphis Grizzlies, Ed Davis, Tony Allen 

Jon Roser: TA on retiring a Grizzly: "Yea, i thought about it. I talk about it w/ Zach. We should retire here. Get our #'s retired. I love this city." Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Tony Allen 

He is now 31 and maybe, if you believe the scouts, has lost a step. He's a free agent this summer. He's on a team that, after the Rudy Gay trade, suddenly needs scoring at his position. Memphis could re-sign Allen, for something in the $5 million range, or change course and find some offense at the two-guard spot next season. "I'd like to stay but whatever happens I'm cool with it," he said. "I'll get what's coming to me. At least I hope. They say defense wins games, right? They say it's all about how you play defense, right?" He hesitates. "That means I'll be fine, right?" SportsonEarth

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Tony Allen 

You wait for him to flash an I'm-kidding smile or jab an elbow into your ribs. Nothing. He can be quite funny and quirky and always seems to be cutting someone up. But about defense? Serious as a stroke. "I take pride in this," he said. "This is what I do. And not too many people want to do what I do. It's high risk and low rewards. There ain't no glamour, magazine covers, hype and definitely no money." SportsonEarth

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen 

"He reminds me at times of a free safety in football," said Chris Wallace, the Grizzlies' general manager, "with his ability to zero in and focus on the ball. He's all about getting the ball back." Here's what else sets him apart: Allen owns an extensive video library with footage of almost every guard and small forward and watches it constantly. He calls it "going to the movies" and it's a pregame ritual. "If you check, my fingerprints might be on every player in the league," he says. SportsonEarth

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen, Chris Wallace 

Finally, a dozen players are almost impossible to guard one-on-one for 48 minutes. Good luck sticking with Kobe and Durant and LeBron and Paul and Carmelo Anthony, and try to avoid fouling out in 10 minutes. "The prolific scorers are going to score," Allen said. "With me, I try not to beat my head up if a guy scores on me. I know the more I compete and the harder I play, those shots will become difficult for them late in the game. I get judged on getting key stops. If I can get a few key stops down the stretch to help my team win, that won't show up on the scoreboard but it doesn't really matter. I know I did my job." SportsonEarth

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen 

"We showed signs of just not being together," said Tony Allen, which is true, if he meant massive, billboard-sized signs emblazoned in neon lights. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen 

Marreese Speights: I wanna s/o to my big bro in my fav player @Tony Allen for helping me become a better player!!! Much love bro Twitter @Mospeights16

Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Tony Allen, Marreese Speights