Allen reveals origin of 'Grit and Grind,' and Rudy Gay isn't thrilled

The "Grit and Grind" era of Memphis Grizzlies basketball began in earnest when Tony Allen arrived via free agency in 2010. One of the franchise's high points came that ensuing season, when the Grizz stunned the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs before bowing out to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On Friday, Allen revealed the actual moment the catchphrase "Grit and Grind" entered the Memphis lexicon - and it didn't sound too flattering to then-teammate Rudy Gay.

"Rudy Gay said 'I'm not playing this game, my toe hurts,'" Allen told an audience at the Basketball Hall of Fame's 60 Days of Summer program, according to MassLive's Tom Westerholm. "I said, 'Your toe hurt? Your toe hurt? You just did a windmill dunk last night.'"

The game Allen is referring to was a 105-101 Grizzlies win over the Thunder on Feb. 8, 2011, with Gay on the sidelines.

"To make a long story short, we win," Allen said. I was so upset with Rudy for not playing ... I end up having 27 points, eight rebounds, and like five steals. (Kevin) Durant had like 35, but they lost. When they gave me my interview, the first thing I said was, 'It's just all heart. Grit and grind.' That's how that phrase blossomed in Memphis. I was still upset. That was really a jab at Rudy Gay. But he's my man today, I've forgiven him for that."

Perhaps Gay didn't read the full story, but Saturday he reacted tersely to a tweet regarding it.

Gay has changed teams three times since 2010-11, signing a two-year deal with the Spurs in July. Meanwhile, the Grindhouse era appears all but over in Memphis; Zach Randolph decamped for the Sacramento Kings and Allen remains a free agent, with a return to the Grizzlies looking doubtful.