In Memphis, Tony Allen is known simply as the Grindfather. Others like Kevin Durant call him the NBA's toughest one-on-one defender.
Give him an opponent, watch him go to work studying tape for angles to attack, tendencies to expose. Then Allen clamps down, getting as close as physically possible and taking that man out of his game.
Grizzlies teammate Mike Conley said Thursday that Allen is unique because not many people make their name defensively and affect the game the way he does.
Now Allen is defending Golden State and Klay Thompson in the Western Conference semifinals.