This week we got a Chicago hooper on the show, first team All-D, and the Grindfather - Tony Allen joins Knuckleheads. TA sits down to discuss his journey: dropping out of high school, figuring it out in Chicago and finding his way to Oklahoma State. Tony looks back on getting drafted by the Celtics, winning a championship with the Big 3 in 2008, and moving on to Memphis. He talks about those legendary Grizzlies teams and what it was like to become one of the best defenders in the league. TA a real one. Tune in!
Episode Highlights:
Growing up in Chicago, dropping out of high school but meeting Will Bynum and going to Crane (7:30)
Getting to Oklahoma State after Juco, dominating there (30:20)
Draft process, getting taken by the Celtics (42:30)
Becoming one of the best defenders in the league, learning from Paul Pierce (54:00)
Boston forming the Big 3, winning the NBA Finals in 2008 (1:02:35)
Celtics-Lakers rivalry, being tasked with guarding Kobe (1:16:56)
Going to the Memphis Grizzlies, teaming up with Z-Bo (1:24:22)
Becoming the Grindfather, getting All-Defense after All-Defense (1:29:25)
About Our Hosts:
NBA veterans Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles are lifelong friends and bona fide truth-tellers. Listen as they invite special guests, high-profile athletes, musicians and entertainers to get brutally honest about everything from current events to untold stories from the golden era of sports and culture. Named for the on-court celebration they made wildly popular, this unfiltered, hilarious and surprising podcast is like playing NBA 2K with no fouls.
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This article was originally published on ThePlayersTribune as Knuckleheads with Tony Allen.
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This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 9:28 AM.