Newly signed Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons is attempting to shed a reputation that he has picked up during the five years he has played in the NBA. The former Florida Gator believes that there is a perception of him as a “pretty boy” and in order to apply the “Grit ‘n Grind” ethos of the Grizzlies, that may have to be changed.

The image may have been earned by Parsons due to his contribution to advertising campaign for fashion brand Buffalo David Bitton and several rumored celebrity relationships. Among the sporting world, these kind of things will contribute towards a borderline old fashioned idea of being ‘soft’ and this may be where the perception of Parsons comes from.

Though there is no doubt Parsons can play, he felt the need to speak out about his reputation and the way in which he would fit in with the rugged Memphis team when speaking to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

“Grit ‘n Grind is something that this core group of guys with Marc (Gasol), Mike (Conley), Z-Bo (Zach Randolph), and Tony (Allen) have established here. It’s something special. It’s in their DNA and it’s in their culture, in this community. Maybe not by looking at me – I kind of have the pretty-boy tag, but that’s not me. I compete, I play hard, I’m tough. That’s kind of how I got my niche in the league, doing all the dirty things. Playing under Kevin McHale, I was taught from my rookie year to take charges, dive on the floor.”

This free-agency has been a surprise to many, with a lot of teams paying considerably more than would have previously been paid to sign mid-level NBA players and those just below the top tier of talent. Parsons signed a four-year, $94 million deal for the Grizzlies this summer. This was around the same time that the team signed Mike Conley to the highest paying NBA contract of all time.

The “Grit N’ Grind” philosophy centres around outworking opponents on defense and playing physically. Parsons believes that he can be a key part in continuing the movement in Memphis.

“I think you add a guy like me who's hungry and willing to take the big shot and really be the versatile forward that this team's been missing. I think my game really complements their game and vice versa. ‘Grit n' Grind’ or not, I think we're going to mesh very, very well together, and I think those guys are a perfect group of players to play with me.”

[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/chandler-parsons-claims-basketball-no-1-priority-joining-grizzlies/”]NEXT: Chandler Parsons claims basketball is his No. 1 priority after joining Grizzlies[/button]