Tony Allen: What's The Answer?

[Brickowski]

Here's one: if during this upcoming offseason I could exchange Ray Allen for Delonte West and a healthy Tony Allen I would do it.

[EJPLAYA]

Here's one: if during this upcoming offseason I could exchange Ray Allen for Delonte West and a healthy Tony Allen I would do it.

I'd rather see us have Ray for a couple years and put that spot to good use with another up and comer. The Delonte ship has sailed. We would make that trade over and over again because without him we don't have KG. Delonte was my favorite player, but he is injury prone and he is about as good as he'll ever be with his size.

Just not sure why you can still be so negative and pessimistic about these Celtics. Last year we were struggling, yes. This year we are up 2-1 in the eastern conference finals with 2 more games in our house. If you aren't going to get any enjoyment out of a championship run then why bother following things?!

[Spoon]

[Edited.]  A reminder to everyone: it is inappropriate to mock / "call out" other posters. -R.H.

[billysan]

I will not bash Tony Allens basketball IQ, I think there are other areas he is deficent that are just as important IMO.

Tony is a classic example of a player who got by on his superior athleticism and now that he doesnt have it, he is not nearly as effective. Injuries are to blame, but so is a lack of versatility on his part.

Tony never bothered to develop a consistent jump shot. 'Shooting' Guards in the NBA have to be able to shoot a jumper to make it past their rookie contract, plain and simple.

Tony never developed ball handling or PG skills. Maybe he isnt capable of developing them, but improvement in these areas would help him a lot. Again, a lack of versatility.

Tony plays (played) decent man defense but is struggling with playing team and zone defense. I think this is a matter of his approach to the game more than Basketball IQ deficieny.

I think whether we retain Tony next year will be based on two things:

1-If we convince Posey,House to stay and/or add a decent FA wing.

2-How much development/improvement we see in Gabe Pruitt.

We certainly need to get more athletic at the wing and add depth if possible IMO. We are one Ray or Paul injury away from trouble and Tony is the only guy we have who is a 'true' SG for whatever that is worth.

[CoachBo]

Here's one: if during this upcoming offseason I could exchange Ray Allen for Delonte West and a healthy Tony Allen I would do it.

I wouldn't. Not even close.

[liam]

I will not bash Tony Allens basketball IQ, I think there are other areas he is deficent that are just as important IMO.

Tony is a classic example of a player who got by on his superior athleticism and now that he doesnt have it, he is not nearly as effective. Injuries are to blame, but so is a lack of versatility on his part.

Tony never bothered to develop a consistent jump shot. 'Shooting' Guards in the NBA have to be able to shoot a jumper to make it past their rookie contract, plain and simple.

Tony never developed ball handling or PG skills. Maybe he isnt capable of developing them, but improvement in these areas would help him a lot. Again, a lack of versatility.

Tony plays (played) decent man defense but is struggling with playing team and zone defense. I think this is a matter of his approach to the game more than Basketball IQ deficieny.

I think whether we retain Tony next year will be based on two things:

1-If we convince Posey,House to stay and/or add a decent FA wing.

2-How much development/improvement we see in Gabe Pruitt.

We certainly need to get more athletic at the wing and add depth if possible IMO. We are one Ray or Paul injury away from trouble and Tony is the only guy we have who is a 'true' SG for whatever that is worth.

I think Gabe Pruitt is already better than Tony Allen.

[nickagneta]

I will not bash Tony Allens basketball IQ, I think there are other areas he is deficent that are just as important IMO.

Tony is a classic example of a player who got by on his superior athleticism and now that he doesnt have it, he is not nearly as effective. Injuries are to blame, but so is a lack of versatility on his part.

Tony never bothered to develop a consistent jump shot. 'Shooting' Guards in the NBA have to be able to shoot a jumper to make it past their rookie contract, plain and simple.

Tony never developed ball handling or PG skills. Maybe he isnt capable of developing them, but improvement in these areas would help him a lot. Again, a lack of versatility.

Tony plays (played) decent man defense but is struggling with playing team and zone defense. I think this is a matter of his approach to the game more than Basketball IQ deficieny.

I think whether we retain Tony next year will be based on two things:

1-If we convince Posey,House to stay and/or add a decent FA wing.

2-How much development/improvement we see in Gabe Pruitt.
We certainly need to get more athletic at the wing and add depth if possible IMO. We are one Ray or Paul injury away from trouble and Tony is the only guy we have who is a 'true' SG for whatever that is worth.

I don't think that Gabe Pruitt's development has anything to do with the Tony Allen situation. Gabe is being groomed as the backup point guard position and judging from what I saw out of him at college and the reports from the NBDL, he's going to be a very solid PG.

If Pruitt is replacing anyone's spot it is probably Eddie House's position.

Regardless of whether Posey or House returns, I seriously doubt that the Celtics are going in Tony's direction and will try to find a vet wingman at cheap pricing. Michael Finley, Bonzi Wells or Mickael Pietrus come to mind.

[liam]

I will not bash Tony Allens basketball IQ, I think there are other areas he is deficent that are just as important IMO.

Tony is a classic example of a player who got by on his superior athleticism and now that he doesnt have it, he is not nearly as effective. Injuries are to blame, but so is a lack of versatility on his part.

Tony never bothered to develop a consistent jump shot. 'Shooting' Guards in the NBA have to be able to shoot a jumper to make it past their rookie contract, plain and simple.

Tony never developed ball handling or PG skills. Maybe he isnt capable of developing them, but improvement in these areas would help him a lot. Again, a lack of versatility.

Tony plays (played) decent man defense but is struggling with playing team and zone defense. I think this is a matter of his approach to the game more than Basketball IQ deficieny.

I think whether we retain Tony next year will be based on two things:

1-If we convince Posey,House to stay and/or add a decent FA wing.

2-How much development/improvement we see in Gabe Pruitt.
We certainly need to get more athletic at the wing and add depth if possible IMO. We are one Ray or Paul injury away from trouble and Tony is the only guy we have who is a 'true' SG for whatever that is worth.

I don't think that Gabe Pruitt's development has anything to do with the Tony Allen situation. Gabe is being groomed as the backup point guard position and judging from what I saw out of him at college and the reports from the NBDL, he's going to be a very solid PG.

If Pruitt is replacing anyone's spot it is probably Eddie House's position.

Regardless of whether Posey or House returns, I seriously doubt that the Celtics are going in Tony's direction and will try to find a vet wingman at cheap pricing. Michael Finley, Bonzi Wells or Mickael Pietrus come to mind.

I wasn't saying Pruitt was replacing Allen. I just said I thought he was better.

[Bahku]

I still think it's worthwhile to rotate Tony in at shooting guard from time-to-time, whether we keep him or not. It's worth it defensively alone, and if he gets some offense going, all the better.

I seriously doubt he'll be around next year, and if he can prove of greater worth than he is right now, then his trade value will be that much higher. I think he's just as valuable defensively as Sam is offensively, but would be much better at 2G than at point.

[CoachBo]

It's the Eastern Conference finals.

WAY too late to be rotating in a player who makes mental mistakes by the bunches, including on the defensive end where some here VASTLY overrate his abilities.

We're trying to win a title, not give pity time to a guy who's proven, IMHO, he doesn't belong out there. I understand the attachment. People still want to bring Gerald Green back, for reasons I will never agree with.

But it's time to give it up. Time to fill that roster spot with a better, smarter player.

[Bahku]

I don't over-rate his defensive performance, I just don't think he's any more of a defensive liability than Sam is an offensive liability ... in fact, I'd rather have TA playing than Cassell anytime, I'd just make Tony wear those gloves with the little suction cups all over them. 

[Steve Weinman]

I will not bash Tony Allens basketball IQ, I think there are other areas he is deficent that are just as important IMO.

Tony is a classic example of a player who got by on his superior athleticism and now that he doesnt have it, he is not nearly as effective. Injuries are to blame, but so is a lack of versatility on his part.

Tony never bothered to develop a consistent jump shot. 'Shooting' Guards in the NBA have to be able to shoot a jumper to make it past their rookie contract, plain and simple.

Tony never developed ball handling or PG skills. Maybe he isnt capable of developing them, but improvement in these areas would help him a lot. Again, a lack of versatility.

Tony plays (played) decent man defense but is struggling with playing team and zone defense. I think this is a matter of his approach to the game more than Basketball IQ deficieny.

I think whether we retain Tony next year will be based on two things:

1-If we convince Posey,House to stay and/or add a decent FA wing.

2-How much development/improvement we see in Gabe Pruitt.
We certainly need to get more athletic at the wing and add depth if possible IMO. We are one Ray or Paul injury away from trouble and Tony is the only guy we have who is a 'true' SG for whatever that is worth.

I don't think that Gabe Pruitt's development has anything to do with the Tony Allen situation. Gabe is being groomed as the backup point guard position and judging from what I saw out of him at college and the reports from the NBDL, he's going to be a very solid PG.

If Pruitt is replacing anyone's spot it is probably Eddie House's position.

Regardless of whether Posey or House returns, I seriously doubt that the Celtics are going in Tony's direction and will try to find a vet wingman at cheap pricing. Michael Finley, Bonzi Wells or Mickael Pietrus come to mind.

Ooooh, I'd love to have Mickael Pietrus in green next year.  Love his size, athleticism and versatility.  At the right price, he'd be a great pick-up.  Thanks for bringing him up, Nick.

-sw

[nickagneta]

I will not bash Tony Allens basketball IQ, I think there are other areas he is deficent that are just as important IMO.

Tony is a classic example of a player who got by on his superior athleticism and now that he doesnt have it, he is not nearly as effective. Injuries are to blame, but so is a lack of versatility on his part.

Tony never bothered to develop a consistent jump shot. 'Shooting' Guards in the NBA have to be able to shoot a jumper to make it past their rookie contract, plain and simple.

Tony never developed ball handling or PG skills. Maybe he isnt capable of developing them, but improvement in these areas would help him a lot. Again, a lack of versatility.

Tony plays (played) decent man defense but is struggling with playing team and zone defense. I think this is a matter of his approach to the game more than Basketball IQ deficieny.

I think whether we retain Tony next year will be based on two things:

1-If we convince Posey,House to stay and/or add a decent FA wing.

2-How much development/improvement we see in Gabe Pruitt.
We certainly need to get more athletic at the wing and add depth if possible IMO. We are one Ray or Paul injury away from trouble and Tony is the only guy we have who is a 'true' SG for whatever that is worth.

I don't think that Gabe Pruitt's development has anything to do with the Tony Allen situation. Gabe is being groomed as the backup point guard position and judging from what I saw out of him at college and the reports from the NBDL, he's going to be a very solid PG.

If Pruitt is replacing anyone's spot it is probably Eddie House's position.

Regardless of whether Posey or House returns, I seriously doubt that the Celtics are going in Tony's direction and will try to find a vet wingman at cheap pricing. Michael Finley, Bonzi Wells or Mickael Pietrus come to mind.

Ooooh, I'd love to have Mickael Pietrus in green next year.  Love his size, athleticism and versatility.  At the right price, he'd be a great pick-up.  Thanks for bringing him up, Nick.

-sw

He's a hell of a player and would be great in Green and when it comes down to it would you rather have, at around the same price, Tony Allen or proven players like Finley, Pietrus, Wells, Eduardo Najera or possibly if they exercise their options Trevor Ariza, Keith Bogans, or Grant Hill.

Here's another possible Allen replacement that's unrestricted: Ricky Davis.

I wonder if there would be even a whiff of interest from Danny and the front office.

[Aussie Celtic]

This is going to sound strange but I say start him or cut ties with him.

I don't find this strange at all, mainly because I said it myself a couple of times during the year.

If I had the inclination and time (which unfortunately I don't), I would do a comparison of Tony's stats as a starter versus his stats coming off the bench.

I can almost guarantee they would be night and day, with the starter stats far outstripping the bench stats, obviously straight up but definitely on a 40 min basis and on a PER basis.

I think starting actually neutralises some of Tony's basketball IQ problems, because he gets into the flow of the game from the word go.  His natural instincts and athleticism take over rather than trying to "think" himself into a game as he comes off the bench.

I would have loved to have seen this during the year, just to see what happened.

The reality is, this will never happen and we will never know.

Not sure where I stand on the NBA contract.  I think BrickJames has a chance of being right, but probably lean to Tony getting a contract somewhere.

Good topic and great input from everyone.  Enjoyed the read.

Cheers

Aussie

[BudweiserCeltic]

I will not bash Tony Allens basketball IQ, I think there are other areas he is deficent that are just as important IMO.

Tony is a classic example of a player who got by on his superior athleticism and now that he doesnt have it, he is not nearly as effective. Injuries are to blame, but so is a lack of versatility on his part.

Tony never bothered to develop a consistent jump shot. 'Shooting' Guards in the NBA have to be able to shoot a jumper to make it past their rookie contract, plain and simple.

Tony never developed ball handling or PG skills. Maybe he isnt capable of developing them, but improvement in these areas would help him a lot. Again, a lack of versatility.

Tony plays (played) decent man defense but is struggling with playing team and zone defense. I think this is a matter of his approach to the game more than Basketball IQ deficieny.

I think whether we retain Tony next year will be based on two things:

1-If we convince Posey,House to stay and/or add a decent FA wing.

2-How much development/improvement we see in Gabe Pruitt.
We certainly need to get more athletic at the wing and add depth if possible IMO. We are one Ray or Paul injury away from trouble and Tony is the only guy we have who is a 'true' SG for whatever that is worth.

I don't think that Gabe Pruitt's development has anything to do with the Tony Allen situation. Gabe is being groomed as the backup point guard position and judging from what I saw out of him at college and the reports from the NBDL, he's going to be a very solid PG.

If Pruitt is replacing anyone's spot it is probably Eddie House's position.

Regardless of whether Posey or House returns, I seriously doubt that the Celtics are going in Tony's direction and will try to find a vet wingman at cheap pricing. Michael Finley, Bonzi Wells or Mickael Pietrus come to mind.

Ooooh, I'd love to have Mickael Pietrus in green next year.  Love his size, athleticism and versatility.  At the right price, he'd be a great pick-up.  Thanks for bringing him up, Nick.

-sw

He and Matt Barnes are at the top of my list. We have to get a PG and a C at affordable prices if possible, and they'll probably eat up our resources so we wouldn't be able to get this guys. I'll say this about Matt Barnes, he tried to get a big contract last year, he couldn't. He signed a lesser deal and underperformed this year so I doubt he'd get a bigger contract. He'd be affordable.  But even so, we'll probably spend on a PG and Center.