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I thought I was done ranting about Tony Allen

May 24, 2010 - Boston, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES - epa02171475 Boston Celtics Tony Allen reacts to a call in the second quarter of the Eastern Conference final round playoff game at the TD Bank Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 24 May 2010. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 and the winner will advance to play either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

I can’t help it. I still have pent-up anger directed toward Tony Allen. I guess that’s what happens when a player spends the majority of six years inducing near-heart attacks.

Allen’s latest bad decision was his choice to sign in Memphis this offseason. Even though he presumably knew the Celtics offered a better chance to contend, Allen felt overshadowed in Boston. Behind Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Tony Allen never felt he received a chance to shine. Plus, Danny Ainge didn’t show enough interest in him, didn’t show him enough love. The Grizzlies clearly wanted Allen more during free agency, according to Allen himself.

Howdaya like him now, Memphis? Before the season, even Allen’s own coach questioned his choice to relocate to Memphis. Then Allen received a DNP-CD last night, the first of his Grizzlies career. Before that, Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote a sentence that will likely have Celtics fans nodding their heads. “Tony Allen,” Tillery wrote, “brought in to be a defensive stopper, seems to be focused more on scoring and has played a bit out of control on both ends.”

Tony Allen, out of control? Who woulda thunk it?

Even Acie Law, Allen’s teammate, expressed disappointment in Allen. “”I could do a whole lot better,” Law said as he discussed the bench’s slow start, before adding, “Tony could give us a little more.”

Allen, for his part, says he just wants to be a mentor.

“I am trying to prepare them to be good players, the best player they can be,’’ Allen told the Boston Globe, causing me to shudder at the thought of Tony Allen, mentor. “I attack them on the offensive end (editor’s note — read: turn the ball over) and the defensive end (editor’s note — read: foul three-point shooters). But everything is to get them better.’’

To be fair, Allen WAS a lot better last year. He developed a valuable role as a defensive stopper and energy man. This offseason, I even thought it might be a good idea for the Celtics to re-sign Allen, if only because the Celtics had mostly veteran minimum contracts to offer outsiders.

But even when Allen was playing well, I held my breath when he entered the game. Even when he made nice plays, I wondered when his next blunder would give me another headache. Even when he played his best, there was always the thought that everything was going to come swiftly tumbling apart. And I haven’t yet brought up his jumper, which — even a few months later — continues to give young Bostonians nightmares.

Still, Allen doesn’t know why Ainge let him leave Boston with little resistance.

“I miss those guys, but as far as [free agency], if [Ainge] wanted me, he would have did what he had to do to get me,’’ Allen told the Globe. “Obviously, it didn’t work out. Why he didn’t reach out and make me a priority, you’d have to ask him. I don’t know.”

Or you could just ask me, Tony. I bet I know why Ainge didn’t make you a priority. On second thought, you probably shouldn’t ask me. My response would probably hurt even more than that DNP-CD.

Related posts:

  1. Tony Allen signs with Memphis Grizzlies
  2. Tony Allen was tired of being overshadowed
  3. Celtics offer Ray Allen, talk to Tony Allen
  4. Ron Artest: Tony Allen not worthy of trash talk
  5. Sike: Tony Allen still hasn’t re-signed

categories Celtics Blog, Celtics Columns | Jay King | November 7, 2010

categories boston celtic, Danny Ainge, Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen

4 Responses to “I thought I was done ranting about Tony Allen”

  1. tb727 says:
    November 7, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    Good riddance. He was horrendous offensively and playing in for a contract. He’ll be injured soon enough. Prefer Marquis at his price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  2. jtshoopsblog says:
    November 7, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    Allen is not a good fit with the Grizz. They are not a mature enough team for Allen to be effective.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  3. Polo says:
    November 7, 2010 at 10:04 pm

    Toney fn Allen, over shadowed by pp and Ray, now oj and gay. He comes in games lookin to shoot, people think lebron is self centered and selfish, wat would u be willing to win a championship??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  4. Danita Roshonda Cozart says:
    November 8, 2010 at 11:51 am

    Hmmm. I was so disapointed in Tony. I mean really, WHO LEAVES A TEAM LIKE THE CELTICS?! I was hurt for weeks, but if he wanted to go, bye-bye. His loss. He was wrong if he didn’t feel appreciated and wanted. Some may have felt that way towards him but I appreciate ALL & EVERY CELTIC! Pierce and Allen are PHENOMENOL atheletes! I would truly be honored to just throw them a towel at the end of the day, much less play beside them. It was a gift to be affiliated with a team like CELTICS, and he was a selfish idiot to take off. I bet he was a lot happier green.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

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