reflections
May 19th, 2008 Is It Finally Tony Allen’s Turn?


By: Dustin Chapman

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has recently toyed with the guard rotation, entertaining scenario’s to make use of nearly every guard on the active roster. Sam Cassell was temporarily demoted throughout the final two games of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, after missing 13 straight shots in the three games prior. Eddie House was the replacement, and our beloved energetic sharpshooter showed that he was more than ready for his opportunity. Heck, Rivers even built up the courage to sit the struggling Ray Allen for the majority of the fourth quarter in Sunday’s Game 7. Rajon Rondo, as we know it, maintained his spot in the starting rotation. But the one guy who has gotten the short end of the stick, absent of an opportunity to play, is Tony Allen.

The “other Allen” has tallied just 40 combined minutes throughout Boston’s first 14 postseason outings, and has not hit the floor since Game 3 of the Semi-Finals series vs. Cleveland (May 10). Even then, “TA” played just over three minutes of “garbage time” in that game due to blowout circumstances.

With all of that said, there may be room for Allen to make a slight impact on this Eastern Conference Finals matchup with Detroit. One could present a strong case that the erratic fourth-year guard may be the best option to defend each of Detroit’s top three backcourt players in a limited role.

First and foremost, “Rip” Hamilton is well-known as one of the better conditioned athletes in the NBA, who has an extraordinary level of stamina while running his opponent ragged. To begin each game, Ray Allen will get the initial look at attempting to check his fellow Uconn Husky. Needless to say, he is not Jesus Shuttlesworth any longer, and likely does not have the legs to stick with Hamilton cutting and running around screens. Paul Pierce will be matched up with Tayshaun Prince more often than not, and does not possess the lateral quickness to contain Hamilton either.

That leaves James Posey and our buried friend Tony Allen. Posey will get his share of looks at the masked man wearing 32, but the question of lateral quickness stands for him as well. Tony Allen, however, is built for defending guys such as Hamilton. He’s quick, rugged, strong, and possesses terrific defensive anticipation skills - the ingredients needed when dealing with Rip Hamilton.

Next in line is promising rookie combo guard Rodney Stuckey, who did a marvelous job filling in for the injured Chauncey Billups in Games 4 and 5 of Detroit’s Semi-Finals matchup with Orlando. Sam Cassell certainly is not quick enough to guard him, and Eddie House is simply too small to legitimately bother him. When Rajon Rondo is taking a breather, Tony Allen may be the next best option to close out a quarter defending Stuckey.

And finally, Chauncey Billups. Yes, we saw what happened on December 19 when “TA” fell for a nation-wide anticipated up-fake. Yes, Billups sank both free throws to give Detroit the one-point victory at the TD BankNorth Garden. Regardless, if Rondo finds himself in a situation where he is continually getting abused by “Mr. Big Shot,” then Doc Rivers needs to turn to another direction. Once again, Tony Allen could be a wise option to turn to (assuming he learned from his previous mistakes).

At the end of the day, it is likely that Allen will be left on the bench for the majority of this series, and it is probable that Rivers will turn to James Posey for most defensive assignment adjustments. But for short stints to close out quarters, isn’t it worth a shot? Isn’t it time for Tony Allen to get one last shot to contribute?

It will be interesting to see how Rivers shakes the perimeter rotation out. God knows we rarely ever know what to expect with his rotations.

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