**** at Tony Allen

[moiso]

TA doesn't care at all, he get what he want - more money, now he's paid for just sitting on the bench, he gets money for doin' nothing, I'm sure that's fine with him and he's not regret his descision at all.

Strongly disagree with this.  TA has had aspirations of being a star in the past, and he thought he could establish himself more somewhere else.  A week ago TA was a distant memory, but now West is hurt(like usual), and Daniels always gets hurt.  So unless Wafer or Bradley comes on, we may eventually end up thinking about Tony a little bit more.

But if Tony was here do we still have Daniels? Or does he go somewhere else.

It would probably have been unrealistic to sign Daniels, West, and Tony.  We don't miss him now, but if Daniels goes down TA might come in handy.  All three are extremely injury prone, so the health issue isn't really in any particular player's favor.  Danny probably did the right thing.

[SalmonAndMashedPotatoes]

True, although Tony's trip to junior college suggest that he wasn't exactly an Academic All-American in high school.  His criminal record also backs up his poor decision making.

Getting arrested and eventually being found NOT GUILTY does not equate to having a criminal record; that is, unless you don't believe in the presumption of innocence.

Going to junior college (or community college) has a lot more to do with one's socioeconomic condition than it does with one's intellectual abilities.  

***

But let's be honest here, and let's quit talking in code. The fact is that Tony Allen was too black to be embraced by the majority of Celtic fans, and this predisposition has led to a career-long mischaracterization of Tony's strengths and weaknesses as a basketball player. The amount of irrational hate thrown Tony's way is and always was inversely proportional to Tony's impact on the game, and it continues even after he's gone to another team. 

Memphis is a team struggling to create an identity.  They don't have a rotation.  Players like TA are bound to get jerked around in a situation like that--on a young team searching for chemistry, it's going to be a process of mixing and matching and the players who are already established are going to be set aside to a degree until the more volatile and evolving parts of the team have had a chance to settle into stable roles on the team.  If and when Memphis settles on a style, identity, and a rotation, TA will be right there doing for them what he did for us--providing a defensive spark off the bench.  He's one of the top perimeter defenders in the entire league and that has not changed one bit.

Danny Ainge badly miscalculated this offseason, and only good luck in the form of Shaq and Delonte West prevented him from completely mismanaging the summer of 2010.  He figured TA wanted to come back, and so put him on the backburner as he attended to other matters.  Chris Wallace, in the meantime, swooped in and made Tony feel wanted, and then presented him with a reasonable contract offer that gave Tony the kind of financial security he was looking for going into a possible lockout season in 2011-2012.  And so while Danny was busy getting a complete loser like Jermaine ONeal to sign on the dotted line, he let Chris Wallace poach Tony Allen right from under his nose. 

If not for Shaq having no suitors willing to pay the full MLE, and if not for Delonte having a damaged reputation and buyout clause in this contract, this offseason would have been a disaster.  As it turned out, we got lucky--we signed two MLE-level players for minimum deals, and then resigned Daniels with early Bird rights because no one else was available.  Don't let that luck change the fact that letting TA go for nothing was a mistake.

[Birdbrain]

Wait so we just assume that Ainge wasn't telling the truth about the money?  Cause I recall him stating that the money matched.  I think Tony really thinks he's better than he is and thought Memphis being a bad team (probably doesn't even know their roster) would allow him to get the limelight his talents deserve.

[Eddie20]

Most important is the fact that Mayo is no longer starting. That part is really shocking. The Grizz will still have Gay, TA, Henry, and Vasquez under contract when Mayo becomes a FA in the summer of 12. You factor in that, with us having cap space that summer and his recent comments on Rondo, then I think he'll defintiely be on our radar...and the feeling might be mutual.

"If I had to choose one to play with, I think it would be (Boston's) Rajon Rondo, just because he gets guys the ball in the right spots," Mayo explained when asked to name the best in the league. "Any scorer or shooter or big man would love to play with a point guard like that."

[Eddie20]

True, although Tony's trip to junior college suggest that he wasn't exactly an Academic All-American in high school.  His criminal record also backs up his poor decision making.

Getting arrested and eventually being found NOT GUILTY does not equate to having a criminal record; that is, unless you don't believe in the presumption of innocence.

Going to junior college (or community college) has a lot more to do with one's socioeconomic condition than it does with one's intellectual abilities.  

***

But let's be honest here, and let's quit talking in code. The fact is that Tony Allen was too black to be embraced by the majority of Celtic fans, and this predisposition has led to a career-long mischaracterization of Tony's strengths and weaknesses as a basketball player. The amount of irrational hate thrown Tony's way is and always was inversely proportional to Tony's impact on the game, and it continues even after he's gone to another team. 

Memphis is a team struggling to create an identity.  They don't have a rotation.  Players like TA are bound to get jerked around in a situation like that--on a young team searching for chemistry, it's going to be a process of mixing and matching and the players who are already established are going to be set aside to a degree until the more volatile and evolving parts of the team have had a chance to settle into stable roles on the team.  If and when Memphis settles on a style, identity, and a rotation, TA will be right there doing for them what he did for us--providing a defensive spark off the bench.  He's one of the top perimeter defenders in the entire league and that has not changed one bit.

Danny Ainge badly miscalculated this offseason, and only good luck in the form of Shaq and Delonte West prevented him from completely mismanaging the summer of 2010.  He figured TA wanted to come back, and so put him on the backburner as he attended to other matters.  Chris Wallace, in the meantime, swooped in and made Tony feel wanted, and then presented him with a reasonable contract offer that gave Tony the kind of financial security he was looking for going into a possible lockout season in 2011-2012.  And so while Danny was busy getting a complete loser like Jermaine ONeal to sign on the dotted line, he let Chris Wallace poach Tony Allen right from under his nose. 

If not for Shaq having no suitors willing to pay the full MLE, and if not for Delonte having a damaged reputation and buyout clause in this contract, this offseason would have been a disaster.  As it turned out, we got lucky--we signed two MLE-level players for minimum deals, and then resigned Daniels with early Bird rights because no one else was available.  Don't let that luck change the fact that letting TA go for nothing was a mistake.

I don't mind letting TA walk. However, I do think that the biggest mistake in hindsight was not re-signing Posey. The sticking point was that it would take him until the 2012 season. However, we were over the cap anyways and the majority of our contracts would've expired along with Posey's. I wonder if DA regrets that one.

BTW...I did see Posey versus Miami recently and he looked really good. Far removed from the player we saw in NO. I think Posey is one of these guys that needs to be on a really good team to bring out the best in him.

[SalmonAndMashedPotatoes]

Wait so we just assume that Ainge wasn't telling the truth about the money?  Cause I recall him stating that the money matched.  I think Tony really thinks he's better than he is and thought Memphis being a bad team (probably doesn't even know their roster) would allow him to get the limelight his talents deserve.

We all come to a point in our lives where we can settle into what life has given us--or we can stretch ourselves out and attempt to reach our true potential.  TA decided to stretch himself and see if he could reach the potential he once had before his injury.  It was a brave decision regardless of whether it works out--and he should be applauded for his courage.  When people rightfully criticize a guy like Lebron for coming to that same fork in the road and choosing the safe route--I find it funny that when a guy like TA does the more courageous thing in a similar situation, he's criticized for it too.  Hell, if TA listened to what was written about him on C-blog, he would have quit the game year's ago!

Also, you need to remember that it was precisely because of TA's self-confidence in his abilities as a ball player that he became an NBA player in the first place. If he had allowed other people's perception of him to limit what he might become, he'd still be living in the slums of south Chicago.  I don't see how you can criticize a guy for "thinking he's better than he is" when it was that attitude that made him one of the lucky few to have a career in the NBA in the first place.  

[guava_wrench]

Wait so we just assume that Ainge wasn't telling the truth about the money?  Cause I recall him stating that the money matched.  I think Tony really thinks he's better than he is and thought Memphis being a bad team (probably doesn't even know their roster) would allow him to get the limelight his talents deserve.

We all come to a point in our lives where we can settle into what life has given us--or we can stretch ourselves out and attempt to reach our true potential.  TA decided to stretch himself and see if he could reach the potential he once had before his injury.  It was a brave decision regardless of whether it works out--and he should be applauded for his courage.  When people rightfully criticize a guy like Lebron for coming to that same fork in the road and choosing the safe route--I find it funny that when a guy like TA does the more courageous thing in a similar situation, he's criticized for it too.  Hell, if TA listened to what was written about him on C-blog, he would have quit the game year's ago!

Also, you need to remember that it was precisely because of TA's self-confidence in his abilities as a ball player that he became an NBA player in the first place. If he had allowed other people's perception of him to limit what he might become, he'd still be living in the slums of south Chicago.  I don't see how you can criticize a guy for "thinking he's better than he is" when it was that attitude that made him one of the lucky few to have a career in the NBA in the first place.  

Nice job showing another perspective.

[Fafnir]

If it was all about the money then i think he can live with it...something i have felt all alone.

True.  Putting an extra guaranteed FIVE MILLION DOLLARS or so in one's pocket cannot reasonably be called a mistake.

It's always interesting to me how casually fans can leave millions of dollars on the table when it's somebody else's money.  I think a lot of us would see things a little differently if it was our name on those checks. 

I don't blame TA for leaving for the extra money, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's regretting it by now.

I'm sure Memphis is regretting it, too.  Good to see Tony hasn't cut down on the turnovers AT ALL.  Boston could afford to play 4 on 5 on offense when he was in the game...Memphis can't.  As a result, DNP-CDs for TA.

  I'd like to point out that, while Tony's playing a little less than last year, out of Memphis's 19 games he has 13 games of 10+ minutes and 3 DNPs. Again, not the minutes he wants, but people are acting like he's buried on the end of the bench.

He's their 5th guard, he plays more than Acie Law which is something....

[Fafnir]

But let's be honest here, and let's quit talking in code. The fact is that Tony Allen was too black to be embraced by the majority of Celtic fans, and this predisposition has led to a career-long mischaracterization of Tony's strengths and weaknesses as a basketball player. The amount of irrational hate thrown Tony's way is and always was inversely proportional to Tony's impact on the game, and it continues even after he's gone to another team. 

I think this is a baseless assertion. Citing his criminal record and poor play doesn't have anything to do with his race.

The entire core of the Celtics team the past four years has been entirely black, and Boston has embraced them just fine. From roleplayers to the stars. Every player has his critics but to say Tony is singled out on this board because of his race is ridiculous.

Furthermore pointing out his limited offensive game, his turnover issues, and his trouble settling into a bench role (with the exception of last year) isn't irrational. Those are legitimate criticisms, you might disagree but they're not made up issues.

He's your binkie, I get that, but you're stretching things a lot in your attempts to defend him.

[Finkelskyhook]

Wait so we just assume that Ainge wasn't telling the truth about the money?  Cause I recall him stating that the money matched.  I think Tony really thinks he's better than he is and thought Memphis being a bad team (probably doesn't even know their roster) would allow him to get the limelight his talents deserve.

We all come to a point in our lives where we can settle into what life has given us--or we can stretch ourselves out and attempt to reach our true potential.  TA decided to stretch himself and see if he could reach the potential he once had before his injury.  It was a brave decision regardless of whether it works out--and he should be applauded for his courage.  When people rightfully criticize a guy like Lebron for coming to that same fork in the road and choosing the safe route--I find it funny that when a guy like TA does the more courageous thing in a similar situation, he's criticized for it too.  Hell, if TA listened to what was written about him on C-blog, he would have quit the game year's ago!

Also, you need to remember that it was precisely because of TA's self-confidence in his abilities as a ball player that he became an NBA player in the first place. If he had allowed other people's perception of him to limit what he might become, he'd still be living in the slums of south Chicago.  I don't see how you can criticize a guy for "thinking he's better than he is" when it was that attitude that made him one of the lucky few to have a career in the NBA in the first place.  

Nice job showing another perspective.

Excellent post, Guava.  If it wasn't for Tony we wouldn't have come close to sniffing the Finals last season.

How quickly people forget.

[Fafnir]

Most important is the fact that Mayo is no longer starting. That part is really shocking. The Grizz will still have Gay, TA, Henry, and Vasquez under contract when Mayo becomes a FA in the summer of 12. You factor in that, with us having cap space that summer and his recent comments on Rondo, then I think he'll defintiely be on our radar...and the feeling might be mutual.

"If I had to choose one to play with, I think it would be (Boston's) Rajon Rondo, just because he gets guys the ball in the right spots," Mayo explained when asked to name the best in the league. "Any scorer or shooter or big man would love to play with a point guard like that."

OJ Mayo is well suited for a bench scorer role as a backup PG/SG who is a scorer. If Henry can give them quality minutes I think this move will work out well for Memphis.

I'm doubtful that'll he'll be worth the contract he'll demand from the C's however.

[Fafnir]

Wait so we just assume that Ainge wasn't telling the truth about the money?  Cause I recall him stating that the money matched.  I think Tony really thinks he's better than he is and thought Memphis being a bad team (probably doesn't even know their roster) would allow him to get the limelight his talents deserve.

We all come to a point in our lives where we can settle into what life has given us--or we can stretch ourselves out and attempt to reach our true potential.  TA decided to stretch himself and see if he could reach the potential he once had before his injury.  It was a brave decision regardless of whether it works out--and he should be applauded for his courage.  When people rightfully criticize a guy like Lebron for coming to that same fork in the road and choosing the safe route--I find it funny that when a guy like TA does the more courageous thing in a similar situation, he's criticized for it too.  Hell, if TA listened to what was written about him on C-blog, he would have quit the game year's ago!

Also, you need to remember that it was precisely because of TA's self-confidence in his abilities as a ball player that he became an NBA player in the first place. If he had allowed other people's perception of him to limit what he might become, he'd still be living in the slums of south Chicago.  I don't see how you can criticize a guy for "thinking he's better than he is" when it was that attitude that made him one of the lucky few to have a career in the NBA in the first place.  

Nice job showing another perspective.

Excellent post, Guava.  If it wasn't for Tony we wouldn't have come close to sniffing the Finals last season.

How quickly people forget.

Huh?

I mean everyone was important in that Finals run, but Tony was at best the 6th most important player. (closer to 8th in my book)

I think he was more important in the Finals defending Kobe than he was in the series leading up to it especially.

[hpantazo]

But let's be honest here, and let's quit talking in code. The fact is that Tony Allen was too black to be embraced by the majority of Celtic fans, and this predisposition has led to a career-long mischaracterization of Tony's strengths and weaknesses as a basketball player. The amount of irrational hate thrown Tony's way is and always was inversely proportional to Tony's impact on the game, and it continues even after he's gone to another team. 

I think this is a baseless assertion. Citing his criminal record and poor play doesn't have anything to do with his race.

The entire core of the Celtics team the past four years has been entirely black, and Boston has embraced them just fine. From roleplayers to the stars. Every player has his critics but to say Tony is singled out on this board because of his race is ridiculous.

Furthermore pointing out his limited offensive game, his turnover issues, and his trouble settling into a bench role (with the exception of last year) isn't irrational. Those are legitimate criticisms, you might disagree but they're not made up issues.

He's your binkie, I get that, but you're stretching things a lot in your attempts to defend him.

well said. It has nothing to do with racism. Boston celtics fans are generally well knowledgable basketball fans who love hard working players, and TA constantly displayed his lack of knowledge of the game, and making the same dumb mistakes over and over again makes it look like he didn't want to work hard enough to correct them either. People love KG, Rondo, Ray, Pierce, Shaq, and Perk, and last time I checked they are all black. Same for Doc. When the team went on cruise control last season though, fans booed them all off the floor a few times because we don't put up with half-assed efforts.

[j804]

Who are you people to judge him by how he speaks? Ebonics? Do you know where the majority of these ball players come from? smh

[Fafnir]

Who are you people to judge him by how he speaks? Ebonics? Do you know where the majority of these ball players come from? smh

On this point I can agree with you. I know I have my own biases when I hear someone with a southern accent. How someone speaks isn't the best way to judge intelligence. Its very much a cultural artifact.