T.A. is M.I.A
I hope good friend of the beast lair Tony Allen understands that the following is said with respect and affection, but seriously dude, you gotta step it up. First, the bad news, according to the Boston Globe
Celtics guard Tony Allen will miss the game against the Charlotte Hornets tonight with a right ankle strain. Allen, injured during the Celtics’ 100-88 loss to New York Sunday, could also miss the Celtics’ home game against Houston Wednesday.
“I re-injured it driving into the middle when I got called for traveling,” Allen said after viewing the Celtics’ pre-game shootaround at the Time Warner Cable Arena Tuesday. “I tweaked it and I should have left the game but I tried to play on it. Hopefully, it will be better tomorrow.”
And then the worse news from Mike Fine at the MetroWest Daily News
Tony Allen is a disaster with the ball. He ranks 39th in the NBA in turnovers per 48 minutes (4.1) and 300th in assists/turnovers ratio (.73).
It’s no surprise that the team is looking for answers in Stephon Marbury when our sixth man has fallen asleep at the switch. It’s not an effort thing with T.A. it’s an attitude thing. No player in the league gets more gun shy than Tony Allen when he’s injured and no player is more affected by dropping it down a gear than Tony Allen is. While the season started promising, I have noticed a distinct lack of production coming out of that spot. While his numbers are consistent with his career averages, a player with Allen’s skillset should easily be avergaing double digits in points, and more than 2.6 rebounds a game. He has all the skill to be a real player, but he’s running out of excuses why he hasn’t lived up to that potential. Color us concerned.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I’m with ya’. TA, I love you man, but you’re right-it took him so long to get his confidence back after that last knee injury. Granted-it’s only an ankle, but mentally TA is not the strongest. I also shudder sometimes when he is bringing the ball upcourt in crucial, late-game situations. Steph is a head-case, I won’t deny that. But he’s a proven PG who can also obviously play the 2 if needed, and score in bunches. If this T.A. thing is more than just a couple missed games, Austin Croshere or Fred Jones (sheesh!) are not going to bring the production Starbury would. Question is, will Steph be content with 15 minutes a night..?
January 6th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
1-800-STEPHON
January 6th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I love T.A. in his natural role as a SG, unfortunately he’s the 3rd string SG right now and we desperately need a PG.
Croshere & Marbury would be ideal additions at this point. Croshere can spread D’s with his J as can Marbury.
Question then comes back to…who to cut?
Sam I am becomes a Coach…ok.
Do you cut giddens/walker and get nothing in return?
January 7th, 2009 at 1:45 am
I think if you bring Croshere in that pretty much says goodbye to O’Bryant. Ainge won’t touch Walker. He and Giddens are both in the D-League so I don’t think they’re going anywhere
January 7th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Why are we keeping four projects on the roster anyway? That’s a third of your team that can’t be counted on.
You have to trade Baby/Scal/giddens/obryant, and move Sam to Coach to make room.
They’re going to make a trade. It just depends on when.