"That's the worst organization": Tony Allen slams Pelicans franchise, labels former HC Alvin Gentry 'worst coaches in the world'
Tony Allen labeled the New Orleans Pelicans and Alvin Gentry as the "worst organization" and "one of the worst coaches in the world" on The Chris Vernon Show.
The former Memphis Grizzlies star spent his final NBA season with the Pelicans. His stint led him to make jokes about his former coach and organization.
"Yeah, he was one of the worst coaches in the world. He was old, man. [He used to] forget speeches like, 'Fellas, now when we ... What they doing wrong?' He be like, 'Fellas, we all got a rebound and uh ... What else they did? Oh yeah, get back in transition," Allen said while the hosts laughed.
He mocked Gentry for forgetting the name of his team before saying that the coach was good but didn't use him as much.
"Sometimes we had practice on the football field. We shooting baskets in the goal [post]... Whatever the Saints didn't eat, we got the leftovers. Shoutout to the Pelicans. That's the worst organization," he said.
Allen played 22 games with the Pelicans, averaging 12.4 minutes, 4.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game, shooting 48.4% from the field and 52.4% from the free-throw line.
Memphis Grizzlies announce Tony Allen jersey retirement date
Contrary to his tenure with the Pelicans, Tony Allen had a terrific experience in Memphis, playing with the Grizzlies from 2010 through 2017, helping the team play in their first-ever Western Conference finals in 2013.
Two years after announcing he'd get his jersey retired, the Grizzlies revealed the date for the special night. March 15 will be the day when his No. 9 jersey will be retired.
Allen, one of the best defenders of his generation, became a legend with the Grit and Grind Grizzlies, drawing a lot of praise from other legends, including Kobe Bryant, who picked Allen as his toughest defender.
“Tony Allen, that’s easy, it was Tony Allen. He was the only one that wasn't crying for help, he was never crying for help, saying, ‘Hey, help down here, I need help, double, double’. Tony Allen would play you straight up, I could score 10 straight on him, and he’s not blinking," Bryant said in 2018.
Allen averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 462 games for the Grizzlies.