Tony Allen shares how Memphis Grizzlies were stunned by Golden State Warriors rise in 2014

Tony Allen witnessed Golden State Warriors transform from ‘little boy’ to championship team

Under Steve Kerr, the Warriors instantly transformed into a genuine title threat, securing championships in 2015, 2017, and 2018.

Tony Allen, a defensive stalwart who played for the Memphis Grizzlies at the time, witnessed this stunning rise firsthand, as the two teams frequently faced each other during this period.

“It’s funny how they came up. That previous year we were treating them like little boys. Man, we’ll smack them. All of a sudden we look up, they beating our ass all year,” Allen recalled.

“We’re like, ‘Damn, these boys tough.’ Draymond Green, man, gotta give him his props, he’s still holding it down,” he added.

More than 10 years after Tony Allen’s witnessing, Warriors still chasing another title

Allen and the Grizzlies were one of the teams the Warriors defeated during their first title run, falling 4−2 in the Western Conference Semifinals.

That pivotal year marked Steve Kerr’s debut as coach, Curry’s first MVP award, Thompson’s first All-Star selection, and Green’s first All-NBA Defensive Team selection.

The Warriors truly dominated the league during that stretch, winning 67 games in 2014−2015 and a historic 73 games the following season.

Fast forward more than a decade after their initial rise, Curry and Green remain on the roster with Kerr still leading the team as they chase another ring to prolong that dynasty.

Even if they fail to extend their run, the Warriors era we witnessed from 2014 to 2022 will be remembered as one of the best and most impactful dynasties the league has ever seen.