The Only Defender To Stop Kobe, Curry, and Durant
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Published 2023-12-16
Tony Allen was a monster. He was so confident in his defense that he said in 2015 “I’m First Team T.A.” No, not First Team All-NBA… First Team All T.A.! He named the defense team after his own initials because he’s great enough to have it NAMED after him!
But while the players rave about Tony Allen**,** the NBA, and fans seem to have forgotten about one of the best perimeter defenders of all time that probably gave your favorite player trouble. He only averaged 8.1 points, and air-balled open shots
Kobe multiple times said that Tony Allen was by far his toughest defender and for a guy who rarely gave props to any defender, this meant so much more. Kobe even said that "He’s never heard Tony ask for help”
And’s that Piece 1… Tony Allen was one of the NBA’s most FEARED on-ball defenders because his mindset was scary.
In his early NBA days with the Boston Celtics, Allen averaged his highest points output in his third season than in any other season of his career.
In the first half, Boston's defensive plan was to throw multiple bodies at Kobe… but he shot over 60 percent in the first half as the Lakers went into the half with a small lead.
But in the second half, Celtics coach Doc Rivers decided to make Tony Allen the full-time defender on Kobe. In 2008, Allen only averaged 4.3 minutes in the playoffs so this was a big leap before Allen made an All-Defensive Team, the accolades… the whole nine. But he had that tenacity and aggression you can't teach… so he bothered Kobe a TON! In the second half, Kobe shot just 5-of-14…
Because in 2013, the Grizz and OKC played again… and again, Allen was a PESK defensively limiting KD to 11 combined turnovers and a combined 15-of-48 from the floor over the last two games of the series!
And even then it wasn’t over because they would play another time when KD would be even better. Allen had a plan for each player, why he kept going first-team All-Defense in 2012 and 2013.
KD was the MVP, won another scoring title… did things offensively we hadn't seen since Michael Jordan… KD was just entering his prime.
How many 6'4” guys in the history of the NBA would be routinely willing to go toe-to-toe, mano-e-MANO with the world best's shot-maker and it works? Patrick Beverley got cooked.
During this series, KD was held to just 36 percent shooting when guarded by Tony Allen. See how he DENIES even the entry pass from getting to KD, how he's all-up in him and exerting pressure on KD without fouling him.
The instincts were second to none (0:50). It's why KD couldn't help but admit the ugly truth… Tony Allen was in his HEAD! No seriously, Durant admitted it. “I’m worrying about a guy coming from behind trying to block the shot”
Years down the line when KD was asked about his battles with Allen… KD said what we all knew to be TRUE
But a true test of Allen’s versatility came on the perimeter when the NBA allowed more freedom of movement, less hands, and saw the greatest shooter in NBA history in his prime.
In 2015, the Golden State Warriors were the NBA’s latest Cinderella story: high-energy, quick-fire offense featuring the two greatest shooters in tandem the NBA had ever seen. But after their unexpected 67-win season came a rather unexpected challenge…
They had to go head-to-head with a gritty, hard-nosed basketball team in the Memphis Grizzlies, a team who the Warriors respected, unlike the current Grizzlies who they hate (*funny edit)*
Steph through the first three games averaged just 21 points on 39 percent shooting. Klay, on the other hand, averaged only 17 with 12 combined turnovers.
Tony was on the perimeter causing a lot of havoc and the Splash brothers shot 3 of 17 from 3 in game 2. And it didn’t come from dirty defense, trying to injury someone, no, Allen was primarily guarding Klay Thompson and still denying Curry.
Throughout the series, the Warriors players when guarded by Tony Allen during the series were 0-of-7! He had Steph's number… and Klay was 0-of-5 with Allen on him too!
At this point, the Warriors didn’t have an answer for this brute-style defense. They needed to somehow mitigate Tony Allen… so, guess what they did?
Instead of worrying about his defense — which they knew they could do NOTHING about — the Warriors flipped the script. Because he wasn’t much of a shooter, the Warriors put Andrew Bogut on him and basically implemented a strategy where they’d only worry about four guys, not five. And it worked because Allen was offensively ass.
At this point…
There was no one in denial of this man’s greatness on defense. Everyone acknowledged he was the BEST, even at nearly 35 years old… putting him in rare company…
All Comments (21)
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Who's the best defender you've seen in the NBA? Twitter- @MJ2KALLDAY
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Tony Allen, not even a generation came and almost everyone forgot about him. Good call out.
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Tony Allen and Zach randolph: two monsters I never forget, never see other players like that
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TA made me appreciate his efforts on the defensive end. Didn't talk that much trash, kept his head down and went to work. Made all the best offensive players worked for that possession. Truly underappreciated.
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I forgot about T.A. But he was a beast on defense. Stud!
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So glad someone finally made this video. It's a shame the NBA leaned so hard toward big names during that time. Tony was robbed of several All-NBA Defense selections in favor of the likes of Rondo, Cris Paul, and Kobe. Yes, they were good defenders - but the ONLY reason they were selected over him was because they were great overall players that people easily recognized. That's how awards were from that time. Look at the all defensive teams from 05 to 2015. Shane Battier making only 2 All-Defensive selections despite being the defensive anchor for every team he played for in his prime. Tony Allen should have won DPOY in 2013, but they gave it to his teammate who was only 2nd Team, while Tony was 1st Team.
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bruh i remember memes on klay getting nightmares of tony allen
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Man just the fact alone that Kobe, Steph AND kd all said Tony Allen, and all he has to show for it is three 1st team all defenses shows how underrated of a defender he was. TD easily deserved multiple DPOY if that offensive trio juggernaut all said he was the best they ever played against.
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Thank you soo much for making this. He was a truly great defender that ppl don't talk about and a true example of what good defense actually is
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I knew he was defensive guy, but had no idea he was THAT good. Good video
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He was a guard without the ability to pass, dribble or shoot. Had a 14 year NBA career anyway. Incredible defensive presence.
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Thank you for making this video. This is why TA is my favorite defender of all time.
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Great job making such videos and bringing forgotten players back to light.
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If Kobe and KD say Tony Allen is the best defender, then he better be in the Hall of Fame.
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FIRST TEAM! Excellent exposé on a player that clearly doesn't get enough love, thank you! 👍👏🙏🙏
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Makes the 2010 Lakers win even more impressive. That Celtics team was the GOAT of defensive teams. KG, TA, Rondo, were elite. Ray Allen, Perkins were really good. And Pierce shit himself.
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To say Tony Allen was a nobody is CRAZY. He really was a house hold name💯
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One of your best vids. Thanks for showcases Tony Allen.
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I appreciate videos like this
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Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Zebo, Marc Gasol What a good squad that was.
