Kevin Negron

The Memphis Grizzlies ended their 2014-15 campaign with their third consecutive 50-win season, thus earning the right to make the 25th overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft on Thursday, June 25.

With constant focus being put on the top-14 picks known as “the lottery,” there is often a conception that the lower half of the draft is devoid of impact talent.

The 25th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft would beg to differ.

The Boston Celtics selected current Grizzlies guard/forward Tony Allen with the 25th pick 11 years ago. Allen went on to play an important role for the Celtics, providing energy off the bench on a team that eventually hoisted the 2008 Larry O’Brien Trophy after a tough six-game battle with Phil Jackson’s Los Angeles Lakers.

Along with “2008 NBA Champion” on Allen’s résumé, he has since been named to four NBA All-Defensive Teams, including being one of this year’s First Team selections.

The following are other notable No. 25 overall picks from past drafts:

Current Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum, selected by Houston in 2008 from Le Mans (France), had his draft rights acquired by Portland in exchange for the rights to former Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur and current Rockets forward/center Joey Dorsey. Known as a jack-of-all-trades type player, Batum has averaged 11.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists across the span of seven NBA seasons. In perhaps his best year as a professional, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 82 starts during the 2013-14 season. Batum is also part of the “five-by-five” club, which is exclusive to only eight players since the 1985-86 season. Batum accomplished the feat by recordings 11 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, five blocks and five steals in a 2012 matchup against the New Orleans Hornets.

Current Celtics forward Gerald Wallace has enjoyed a lengthy career, suiting up for five teams since being selected by Sacramento in the 2001 NBA Draft. In 2010, Wallace was selected as the first and only player to ever don a Charlotte Bobcats uniform in an All-Star game prior to the Charlotte franchise reverting back to the “Hornets” moniker for the 2014-15 season. He was named to the 2010 NBA All-Defensive First Team, led the league in steals in 2006 and was named Alabama’s Mr. Basketball in 2000 before attending the University of Alabama for one season from 2000-01. Wallace also received the  2000 Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award.

Former forward Al Harrington was selected in the slot by Indiana in the 1998 NBA Draft. Over a 16-year career, Harrington played for seven teams averaging 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. He was selected by the Pacers from St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey and is the cousin of former Grizzlies guard Dahntay Jones. Harrington was also a recipient of the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award in 1998.

Former Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies head coach Sidney Lowe was selected No. 25 by the Chicago Bulls in 1983. Before beginning his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1991, Lowe played for five NBA teams scattered across four seasons from 1983-90. In between, he also had stints in the Continental Basketball Association from 1986-89. Prior to his professional basketball career, Lowe was the starting point guard for the 1983 NCAA Champion North Carolina State Wolfpack men’s basketball team under legendary head coach Jim Valvano. He followed in the footsteps of Valvano and held the position of head coach for his alma mater from 2006-2011. Lowe coached the Grizzlies for part of three seasons from 2000-02, and was the team’s first head coach after relocating to Memphis in 2001. He is currently in his third stint as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Dallas Mavericks selected former guard and four-time All-Star Mark Price with the 25th pick in 1986. A lethal shooter during his 12-year career, Price joined the 50-40-90 Club (at least .500 FG, .400 3FG and .900 FT percentage) after achieving the feat during the 1988-89 season – he is one just six players in history to accomplish the impressive achievement. Price had a myriad of accolades during his tenure in the league including an All-NBA First Team selection (1993), three All-NBA Third Team selections (1988, 1992, 1994) and has had his No. 25 jersey retired by both the Cleveland Cavaliers and his alma mater Georgia Tech. He finished with career averages of 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds for four teams (Cavaliers, Bullets, Warriors, Magic). Following his playing career, Price became an assistant coach for Georgia Tech from 1999-00 and later held assistant coaching positions with several NBA teams. Most recently, Price was named head coach of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte men’s basketball team for the 2015-16 season.

The Grizzlies last selected Tony Wroten (2012) in the No. 25 slot.

Nearly half of the players on the current Memphis roster were drafted at the No. 25 overall pick or below, lending proof that there is value to be had late in the draft. However, the Grizzlies will continue to strive to be slotted in the 25th slot or below – ensuring that the season that came directly before the June draft date was a successful one.

The owners of the first overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft – the Minnesota Timberwolves – will be on the clock starting at 6:30 p.m. (CT) this Thursday.

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History of the No. 25 Overall Draft Pick

Tony Allen possesses what may seem like the simple but essential qualities every NBA player should have. He is defensive-minded and a master of preparation, hustle and intensity. He prides himself on something you just can’t teach – effort. Almost always guarding the opposing team’s premier offensive threat, Allen is frequently charged with holding many of the NBA’s superstars at bay.

“Solid.” One word Tony Allen uses to describe the example he tries to set defensively for his teammates. ‘Solid’ may be putting it lightly.

Allen is currently ranked fourth in the NBA in steals this season with 1.94 per game and leads all qualifying players in steal percentage (4.0) averaging 25.4 minutes per game. Since joining Memphis at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, Allen has not been kind to the opposing team’s offense. Over that period, he has recorded 539 (ranked eighth overall) steals and has helped anchor a Grizzlies defense that has held opponents to the third lowest points-per-game average (89.3) in the league in the same time frame.

Grit-N-Grind flows through Allen’s blood. His philosophy on defense comes down to more than just holding an opposing player to a certain number statistically.

When defended by Allen, NBA players shoot a percentage that is 7.5 percent worse than what they usually shoot, perhaps proving that some of the most telling statistics are not always included in the box score.

Allen has no shortage of respect around the league for his tough and never quit attitude on the defensive end, even garnering the respect of the fourth highest scoring player in NBA history and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant.

Allen was named the toughest player in the league in October in a survey of all 30 NBA General Managers by NBA.com. Allen fuels his teammates with his passion and colorful on the court mannerisms, which have been some of Mike Conley’s favorite moments since becoming his teammate.

Allen’s personality in combination with his tenacious defense has endeared him to the city of Memphis. The Grindfather has become a symbol and representation of its hardworking residents’ blue-collar identity.

2014 was a special year for the Allen family as Tony and his wife welcomed their new baby boy which Allen affectionately dubbed “The Grindson” via a twitter post announcing his birth.

Allen and his Grizzlies teammates hope to make 2015 a special year as well leading into this year’s NBA postseason in a season already chock-full of memorable moments.

The theory of ‘defense and teamwork wins championships’ can repeatedly be confirmed throughout NBA history. It is no secret that a common recipe for teams that hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy is to have at least one bona fide superstar. The Grizzlies do not have Michael Jordan, the Grizzlies do not have Kobe Bryant, the Grizzlies do not have Shaquille O’Neal – all legendary individual players in their own right.

What the Grizzlies do have, which makes them one of the most endearing teams in the league, is a potential recipe for success that includes defensive tenacity from the Grindfather and his teammates. They demonstrate many of the key ingredients that make their current squad and the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons comparable, who were a quintessential model of total team play. Clutch plays down the stretch of games, constant defensive pressure and team camaraderie which reflects on the Grizzlies’ top defensive ranking in the league (95.6 opponent points per game). The 2003-04 Pistons shared the league lead in defensive rank with 84.3 opponent points per game.

In a Western Conference where a tough road to The Finals is guaranteed, Memphis has tough players in spades to stand the test. From clutch Mike Conley, to low-post bully Zach Randolph, to All-Star Marc Gasol, to gritty Tony Allen, this Grizzlies team is just that – a true team. A team made of a cast of lovable characters who are ready to take it to the next level.

One character in particular leaves no mystery about who he is – which is something any organization, basketball or otherwise, can appreciate.  A player who comes into the arena every day ready to work, practice hard, elevate his teammates and leave everything he has on the court is special – and that’s who Tony Allen is. He is the model of “solid.”

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Tony Allen: Tenacious

On Feb. 2 in Phoenix, Jeff Green earned his Grit ‘N’ Grind stripes and silenced any doubters of his acquisition in a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 12. In a nearly seamless transition, Green has provided a timely boost to a Memphis roster that has embraced its new teammate with open arms.

With the score at 101-94 in Phoenix’s advantage with 1:49 remaining in the final period, the Grizzlies never-quit attitude reared its head as it has many times this season. Memphis roared back in the remaining seconds of the matchup and earned the chance to win the game after blanking the Suns on the offensive end several times over. The score now at 101-99 Phoenix with 21.9 seconds remaining, the Grizzlies put the ball in the hands of Mike Conley, who has proven more than enough times this season that he is engrained with the “clutch gene”. In a rare occasion, Conley misfired from deep and the rest was history. Green ripped down the offensive rebound, made the putback shot and was fouled on the way up by Suns guard Eric Bledsoe. Green sank the following free throw and sealed the victory for the road team 102-101. As Tony Allen yanked on Green’s jersey in celebration, it truly felt as the forward was meant to be a part of the magical ride that the 2014-15 season has shaped up to be.

Just as Green did not let up on the final play of that game, Green refused to quit when he received the life-changing news that he would need heart surgery to have a chance to continue his basketball career. A week after agreeing to a one-year, nine-million dollar deal with the Boston Celtics during the 2011-12 season, doctors discovered an abnormality described as an aortic aneurysm while administering a routine stress test. No strangers to losing promising young players to tragic circumstances (Len Bias, Reggie Lewis), the Celtics took immediate precaution and shut Green down for the remainder of the season.

In late-January, just a few weeks after being acquired by the Grizzlies, Green toured Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital led by hospital CEO Meri Armour and former Le Bonheur heart patient Matthew McCarter. Enamored by his 6’9” stature, McCarter and Green shared a life experience that not many could say they have been through. In a special moment, McCarter and the six-year veteran compared their scars from their respective surgeries. Like warriors showing off battle wounds, the pair were proud to display what they had endured. Green described the long process of post-surgery recovery, including small steps of success such as walking a few blocks without getting winded.

Dr. Christopher Knott-Craig, Director of the Heart Institute and Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, described why sports are so much more than just a game.

The doctor described how the children seeing Green, what he had endured and who he became – a healthy and successful athlete – was an inspiration to all. Green described to Dr. Knott-Craig how he would be forever grateful to Dr. Lars Svensson, the cardiovascular surgeon at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic who saved his career.

With a deeper appreciation and understanding for the delicacy of life, Green embraced the change and pushed forward to keep his dream of playing professional basketball alive. Green also recognized the importance he plays as an inspiration to anyone going through a similar life-changing ordeal.

To say Green has been a welcome addition to the Grizzlies roster would be an understatement. Since joining the club, Memphis has won 13 of their last 16 games (as of Feb. 21) and has brought an extra element of offense that opposing teams have to account for – making the Grizzlies that much more of a threat in the Western Conference. Included in that 13-3 (.813) record, was a franchise-tying eight-game winning streak.

Green has fit in almost seamlessly with his Grizzlies teammates since making FedExForum his new home and understands the importance of not rocking an already successful boat.

Courtney Lee was particularly excited to have Green join Memphis as the pair had previously played together on the Boston Celtics from 2012-2014. In an effort to describe how Green would fit-in with the widely-known fun-loving Grizzlies, Lee pointed out an attribute about the 28 year-old forward that many may not be aware of.

With the team’s recent play, Green has quickly danced his way into the hearts of his teammates and fans alike. Once a player whose career was in jeopardy of ending far too early to now a possible final piece to a Grizzlies club that is reaching new and exciting franchise-heights.

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Jeff Green: Heart and Soul

As a parent, most father’s and mother’s dreams are that their children grow to be something they can be proud of. Memphis finds itself continuously proud with the effort Randolph provides for their city day in and day out.

The story of Zach Randolph is a gratifying and inspiring tale of a player who has truly found a second home in Memphis. The Marion, Indiana native, Michigan State University product and former Trail Blazer, Knick and Clipper landed in the Mid-South in 2009 in what now seems like destiny for both Randolph and the Grizzlies.

On January 17 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, Randolph pulled down the 4,097th rebound of his Grizzlies career. This rebound moved him past Grizzlies-great Pau Gasol on the all-time franchise rebound list, but in reality meant so much more than one name moving past another on a leaderboard.

The rebound was the culmination of all the hard work, sweat and tears Randolph had put in since he had first donned the Grizzlies’ blue and gold. The rebound was yet another joyous occasion for a team that continues to build a prestigious franchise history.

Who Randolph has become, who Memphis has grown to call one of their own and their beloved  “Z-Bo”  will be engrained in the hearts of Memphians for decades to come.

Randolph signed a multi-year extension to remain with the Grizzlies on July 7, 2014. Having expressed on multiple occasions his desire to stay in Memphis, Randolph has ensured he will remain a pillar of the city he has come to embody and love for seasons to come.

On the court, Randolph has become a centerpiece of the Grizzlies’ overall game plan over the years. Randolph’s ability to create mismatches with his polished mid-range shot, exceptional low-post moves and footwork has made him a nightmare to cover on the offensive end.

Randolph currently sits at fourth among active players with 15-plus points and 15-plus rebounds (103 games) for their career only behind surefire Hall of Famers  Tim Duncan,  Kevin Garnett  and eight-time NBA All-Star  Dwight Howard. His never-quit attitude on the glass has been a fundamental part of Memphis sustained success.

On January 21 vs. the Toronto Raptors, Randolph accomplished more history notching the 428th double-double of his career, moving him past Shawn Marion and tying Pau Gasol for fifth among active NBA players.

Randolph’s importance to the club can easily be seen with evidence coming as recently as his nine-game absence (from Dec. 21 - Jan. 7) due to a sore right knee with saw the team go 4-5 while missing him.

Since returning from injury, Randolph has gone on a tear boasting numbers of 19.0 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. Z-Bo has also double-doubled in seven of the seven games in which the Grizzlies have a 5-2 record.

One Grizzlies employee who has kept a close eye on Randolph’s effect on the city Memphis off the court has been TV play-by-play man Pete Pranica, who recently called his 1000th NBA game.

Randolph’s ability to truly connect with the city in which he plays in can be considered unique in today’s NBA, which often involves constant movement of players via free agency or trade.

With the Memphis Grizzlies approaching their 15th anniversary in 2015-16, they are starting to build a more extensive history that can only come with time and memorable players and moments. Zach Randolph will very much be a part of that history in every which way – on the court, off the court and perhaps even to a generation of Grizzlies fans that have followed the team since it’s inception.

The culture of success the current band of Grizzlies and Randolph are instilling in the franchise can make becoming a part of Grizzlies lore something not only the league can respect, but sports in general. Zach Randolph is well on his way in accomplishing that mission.

There are no doubts the big man will continue to make Memphis proud. Just as Memphians have Randolph’s back, Randolph will have theirs. One big happy family.

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Zach Randolph: Memphis' Son

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