How's Tony doing for Griz in the pre-season?

[footey]

There was a lot of regret on this board over the loss of Tony Allen. I had mixed feelings at the time, but must say if given a choice, much prefer Delonte West to Tony Allen over all.

Has anyone followed Tony's pre-season box scores? Would be curious how he has been fitting in with the Griz. I wish all the best for Tony, he had some great moments here.

[Change]

Memphis discovered his inability to make a basket outside 5feet from the basket. So he gets shoved in the back off the bench. Giving that they can't stop anyone on Defense. Coach Hollins reluctantly moves him up the depth charts, and they start winning.

That's just my guess

Veteran guard Tony Allen sat out a second straight game with a sore right ankle. The injury, while not considered serious, required some rest

Go figure he is injured again.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/oct/17/grizzlies-keep-growing-as-a-team/

[Roy H.]

5.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.0 blocks, 1.0 turnovers, 58.3% FG%, 0.0% 3PT%, 1.8 PF in 12.3 minutes per game

I was surprised to read this from Memphis' coach (after Tony again repeated that he felt "overshadowed" in Boston):

But Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins, and you've got to respect his frankness, said, "I don't think it's smart" when asked about Allen changing teams in hopes of securing an expanded role.

"What would you rather do? Win and play 15 minutes a game? Or you may not win as much and play 15 minutes a game," Hollins said.

"My thing is I would rather play on a winning team and have a chance to win championships - and get a playoff share too."

Then Hollins said he can't knock anybody else's decisions and segued into this: "Obviously there is a limited amount of time you can play in this league. You have a small window. If you can go and get more money, then that probably played a bigger part in it than more playing time. When you look at injuries and the fact he has been injured throughout his career, if you can go get three years guaranteed with a certain amount of money, then it makes sense to try to do it."

Link.

Basically, Tony's new coach is telling him that he made the wrong decision, and is suggesting that Tony won't have any bigger role in Memphis.  Oops.

[Neurotic Guy]

5.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.0 blocks, 1.0 turnovers, 58.3% FG%, 0.0% 3PT%, 1.8 PF in 12.3 minutes per game

I was surprised to read this from Memphis' coach (after Tony again repeated that he felt "overshadowed" in Boston):

But Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins, and you've got to respect his frankness, said, "I don't think it's smart" when asked about Allen changing teams in hopes of securing an expanded role.

"What would you rather do? Win and play 15 minutes a game? Or you may not win as much and play 15 minutes a game," Hollins said.

"My thing is I would rather play on a winning team and have a chance to win championships - and get a playoff share too."

Then Hollins said he can't knock anybody else's decisions and segued into this: "Obviously there is a limited amount of time you can play in this league. You have a small window. If you can go and get more money, then that probably played a bigger part in it than more playing time. When you look at injuries and the fact he has been injured throughout his career, if you can go get three years guaranteed with a certain amount of money, then it makes sense to try to do it."

Link.

Basically, Tony's new coach is telling him that he made the wrong decision, and is suggesting that Tony won't have any bigger role in Memphis.  Oops.

It is pretty candid -- but I can't say it's all too smart a statement from Hollins.

[xmuscularghandix]

5.0 points, 0.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.0 blocks, 1.0 turnovers, 58.3% FG%, 0.0% 3PT%, 1.8 PF in 12.3 minutes per game

I was surprised to read this from Memphis' coach (after Tony again repeated that he felt "overshadowed" in Boston):

But Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins, and you've got to respect his frankness, said, "I don't think it's smart" when asked about Allen changing teams in hopes of securing an expanded role.

"What would you rather do? Win and play 15 minutes a game? Or you may not win as much and play 15 minutes a game," Hollins said.

"My thing is I would rather play on a winning team and have a chance to win championships - and get a playoff share too."

Then Hollins said he can't knock anybody else's decisions and segued into this: "Obviously there is a limited amount of time you can play in this league. You have a small window. If you can go and get more money, then that probably played a bigger part in it than more playing time. When you look at injuries and the fact he has been injured throughout his career, if you can go get three years guaranteed with a certain amount of money, then it makes sense to try to do it."

Link.

Basically, Tony's new coach is telling him that he made the wrong decision, and is suggesting that Tony won't have any bigger role in Memphis.  Oops.

It is pretty candid -- but I can't say it's all too smart a statement from Hollins.

TA will be back by the end of his career. I almost guaruntee it.

[GreenEnvy]

I said it then and I'll say it again now - it was a dumb move by Tony Allen and one the Celtics will not regret.

Between Mayo and Gay, there isn't that much PT out there. Xavier Henry may get some burn too to see what he can do. Everyone (except perhaps Memphis circa July) knows what Tony Allen is about. His strengths aide a playoff team/championship contender. Memphis is looking to go out there and outshoot the opponent.

For the C's, his defense may not be duplicated to a T, but his offense will easily be far surpassed by anyone we put out there in his place. His overall impact will not be hard to replace. And if Daniels and West stay healthy, Tony Allen who?

[More Banners]

Lionel Hollins got lots of respect last year for holding the line on the whole Iverson debacle in a very straightforward way.  Looks like he's doing the same now, as TA has no assurance of any "expanded role" or guarantee of minutes, it seems.

[guava_wrench]

It sounds to me like Hollins is just saying "you have to earn your minutes".

[Q_FBE]

Probably the only reason that Tony Allen get so much run last year was because Marquis Daniels was injured so much. This year Marquis and Delonte West and possibly Stephane Lasme will play the backup 2 and 3 spots.

So Tony Allen is not really going to be missed that much. Now he did get a decent contract from the Grizzlies but the coach has already stated that is down on the depth chart because there is Rudy Gay and three others ahead of Tony in the two/three rotation. So no playing time for Tony Allen.

[the_Bird]

Well, maybe the good news is that when Quis gets hurt in March and we're having trouble defending the 3 spot in the second unit, maybe Tony Allen'll be available in a trade.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

I posted the same on the other tony thread...
I say good riddance to TA. He might have been one of the best defenders in the league but he was also one of the worst offensive options in the league. It came close to cancelling out because on one hand, he might get stops on defense, but on the offensive end everyone played off of him, so they could double our better players and pack the lane, so scoring was harder to do. Kind of a wash. Remember those awful scoring droughts? It got especially bad w/him and rondo on offense at the same time.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

I posted the same on the other tony thread...
I say good riddance to TA. He might have been one of the best defenders in the league but he was also one of the worst offensive options in the league. It came close to cancelling out because on one hand, he might get stops on defense, but on the offensive end everyone played off of him, so they could double our better players and pack the lane, so scoring was harder to do. Kind of a wash. Remember those awful scoring droughts? It got especially bad w/him and rondo on offense at the same time.

[xmuscularghandix]

I posted the same on the other tony thread...
I say good riddance to TA. He might have been one of the best defenders in the league but he was also one of the worst offensive options in the league. It came close to cancelling out because on one hand, he might get stops on defense, but on the offensive end everyone played off of him, so they could double our better players and pack the lane, so scoring was harder to do. Kind of a wash. Remember those awful scoring droughts? It got especially bad w/him and rondo on offense at the same time.

There are very few statements where i’ve disagreed more. Tony Allen was perfect because he was that athletic winger who could run with Rajon on the break after a steal. He was also good at slashing and either finishing at the rim, or getting to the line (where he was a respectable FT shooter.)

Your argument that he isn’t a good offensive player because of his lack of jumpshot? It was because of everyone sagging off that he was able to sneak to the basket for easy looks.

I really feel like your jumping on the “I hate TA” bandwagon... The only problem is that your a year late because he played awesome off the bench last season.

[pearljammer10]

Just a dumb move by Tony Allen overall. If he wanted more playing time, why would he go to Memphis where they were already pretty set at the guard position. He's never going to be a starter in the league. He played a very important role for the celtics who are going to be in contention to win a championship this year... Why leave?

The Celtics made the right move on this one. Sorry Tony, your loss.

[LooseCannon]

There was a lot of regret on this board over the loss of Tony Allen. I had mixed feelings at the time, but must say if given a choice, much prefer Delonte West to Tony Allen over all.

The real question is: would you prefer Von Wafer to Tony Allen?