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Player profile: Tony Allen

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff October 18, 2008 11:11 AM

This is the 5th in a series of profiles for all 16 players on the current Celtics roster. We'll profile at least one player each day leading up to the season opener.

Tony Allen

Tony Allen defends Kobe Bryant during the 2008 NBA FInals. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

Born: Jan. 11, 1982
Height: 6 feet 4 inches ... Weight: 213
College: Oklahoma State
Years pro: 4
Acquired: Drafted No.25 by Boston in 2004
2008/2009 salary: $2.5 million
Signed through: 2009-2010
Last year's numbers: 6.6 ppg, 1.5 apg, 2.2 rpg in 18 minutes

Strengths: Allen is an athletic two-guard who can flat out defend. With James Posey gone to New Orleans, Allen is one of the only players on the team who can go against the Kobe Bryants and LeBron Jameses of the world. But Allen can also score the ball a little, as evidenced by his 32-point outburst Thursday in a preseason game against the Nets. TA also had two 20-point games during the regular season last year.

Weaknesses:Consistency. The scoring outburts have been infrequent with Allen. Part of that is related to the freak knee injury he suffered in Jan. of 2007. Because of, or possibly in addition to the health factor is Allen's mental condition. His play seems directly correlated to his confidence, which is on display in the locker room before every game. It's really almost as simple as, "You know TA is going to have a good game if he's belting out jams with his headphones on just before tip off." Or maybe it just seems that way.

What to expect: Allen's performance could be the single biggest factor in Boston's success this season. Think about that. If TA can replace the intensity and production of Posey, the Celtics won't miss a beat. If his knee, or his head, keep him grounded, the Celtics don't have many options at that big guard/small forward position. I'm going to go out on a limb and that that Allen WILL be that guy this year. And if he is, the Celtics will have found their sixth man.

Check back tomorrow for another player profile, and give us your expectations for Allen in our comments section.

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6 comments so far...

I think Allen is poised for a big year. Let us not forget the year of his injury, the kind of numbers he was putting up before he went down. I really think he will be a solid all around player this year, I think he need to work more on his ball handeling as he seems to get careless at times, but other than that will be very good.

Posted by Marc October 19, 08 06:27 AM

I actually think TA as the sixth man is going to better for Boston situationally than James Posey. Yes, Posey hit clutch three's and spread the floor, but Allen can slash and wear out defenses and so with the second unit we can run and if TA is out there with House and say Pruitt you get the added dimension.

It has been proven that when TA gets the minutes he is explosive on both ends of the floor and I think Doc will give him the solid 20 minutes that he needs to show that potential.

Posted by WheresYourPatriotism October 19, 08 09:02 AM

I am very optimistic about Tony.He has enormous talent all over the court. Giving him more minutes may help stabilize his confidence. When Paul went down 2 yrs ago Tony carried the team. He's unstoppable on offense as a slasher and shooter, and his defense-- he's being compared with Posey; does that say something?

Posted by Gene Bocknek October 20, 08 10:49 PM

The little I got to see of Tony last season pleased me greatly. To say he's inconsistent doesn't quite do for me... as was noted, before his injury his numbers were much better... now compare him with Posey is, before anything, too premature - Posey has won before on another team, playing with other big stars, and is now gone elsewhere again teaming up with a terrific new group: as if he didn't already have enough skills and game IQ, he's been down a long, successful road (hopefully he won't win in NO, unless it's against LA in the WCF)... such experience can hardly be overridden, regardless how much talent and potential Tony has. But yes, I'm with you all - with the bench "clearing up" some he'll have his minutes and the opportunity to come out big!

Posted by DietrichKaiser October 26, 08 05:42 PM

Half way through this season, let's face it . . . Tony A. is no James Posey.
He's inconsistent, has no outside shot and is a liability on offense. A great a slasher, but he doesn't fit with the C's offense (maybe if they get an offensively productive center on the 2nd Unit).

Is it too much to expect a professional athlete to have a dependable jump shot from 15 -17 feet? Are you listening Rondo? What do you guys do in practice all day?

Posted by Tim Woods January 23, 09 11:32 PM

TA: No outside shot . . . thus limited . . . not near Posey's level in terms of being a defender nor a 3-point shooter, especially in clutch time.

1/2 a season's gone by. Let's face reality. Trade Tony if we can get value for him.

Where's James.

Posted by Tim Woods January 24, 09 02:20 PM