MEMPHIS — The Western Conference semifinal series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors was heating up last week when Tony Allen, the Grizzlies’ hyperkinetic guard, stripped the Warriors’ Klay Thompson of his dribble. In celebration, Allen slapped the court and shouted, for the world to hear: “First-team all-defense! First-team all-defense!”
Joshua Smith, a native Memphian and longtime Grizzlies fan, was watching the game on television, and when he saw Allen (and, more important, heard him), he instantly sensed another opportunity to expand his grass-roots business.
“As soon as he started patting his hands on the ground, I’m thinking, T-shirt,” Smith said.