Could Tony Allen’s approach frustrate modern superstars just as well?
The NBA is an evolving landscape. Inevitably, that leads to an important question: Could what worked for past defenders like Tony Allen (who retired in 2017) work on today’s stars? Allen is revered for not only working hard but also working smart. His defensive tactics are the stuff of Any-Hot-Player-Can-Be-Stopped-if-You-Know-What-to-Do playbook folklore. But they’re also allegorical: the things Allen did to thwart would-be scorers can motivate important discussions about what stopping them looks like and what it might mean for the players doing the (defensive) stopping.
Understanding Tony Allen’s Defensive Genius
A former star with the Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen built a solid reputation as a defender. He was just as likely to disrupt ball movement as he was to steal the ball. In the 2015 playoffs, he single-handedly ensured that the 8th-seeded Grizzlies could take down the number 1 seed in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs, and reach the second round.
Many current players prioritize scoring and eye-catching plays. Como Allen, they should strive to embody the essence of defensive dedication. While most philosophers write on a particular topic, Allen—who wrote not one but five practice manuals—focused on a couple of areas that are the foundation of Tip-Top basketball philosophy and, by extension, something that resembles the way of the Yoda.
Plays of the future
In football, anticipation is of utmost importance. If a player is not able to anticipate the actions of his opponents, he will be at a constant disadvantage. In games like basketball or hockey, where the playing surface is smaller and goal-scoring opportunities occur more frequently, anticipation is also absolutely essential. But it is in football, played on the largest field with the most systematized structure, where anticipation becomes transformed into art.
Anticipation of plays
A tough guy who doesn’t cheat. A hard-nosed player who keeps his nose clean. A physical game that doesn’t get out of hand. In some circles, these days, that might seem like too much to ask for.
Concentrated, unwavering thought
In addition, he frequently tailed the superstars on the other teams, ensuring they earned every point they managed to score. For example, in the 2011 playoffs, he had the job of guarding Kevin Durant, one of the most unstoppable scorers in the game, and in Game 1 held him to a shocked and shaking 20 points.
Modern Superstars: Offense Dominates
Today’s NBA has a plethora of superstars that are not only creative but also exceptionally skilled in executing the offensive end of the game. Superstars like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Dončić thrive in today’s game because they, more than anybody else, utilize space and movement—the two principal emphases of 21st-century basketball—to realize their creative visions. On average, today’s NBA teams score about 112 points per game, nearly 17 points more than the typical NBA team scored during the early 2000s.
As a result, focusing on offense has posed problems for defenders. Today’s defensive schemes—for they hardly deserve the term “strategy”—rely on switches, hope for a static offensive posture, and use analytics to “find” plays that can get first downs without too much risk of being stopped. Offense seems to have the upper hand today.
Nevertheless, this does not eliminate the possible exasperation a defender like Allen could bring forth. Indeed, might the methods of Tony Allen frustrate today’s premier offensive players just as well if he were around in the present? His 2008-09 season in which he defended a whopping 106.5 offensive rating away from the basket certainly makes a case for yes. Allen’s relentless pursuit of the basketball, and the player holding it, could, in my mind, work just as well today if he were strapped in a contemporary NBA uniform.
Combining Old-School Defense with Modern Strategies
Also, combining Allen’s fundamentals with modern-day defensive tactics could produce some potent results. Coaches might think about fusing some of Allen’s plays into their present systems:
- Individual responsibility in a scheme where frequent role changes occur.
- Promoting a culture of safe communication
- Prioritizing on-ball pressure while maintaining team integrity
Take the recent defensive success of the Milwaukee Bucks, for example. It can be attributed to much more than just their size and skill. Individually, they have some strong defenders. And it starts at the point guard position with a player like Jrue Holiday, who can flat-out defend in a multitude of ways.
Could Tony Allen’s Approach Frustrate Modern Superstars Just as Well?
To determine if Tony Allen’s approach could potentially frustrate today’s athletes, we must measure his influence against modern-day NBA trends. The unfortunate reality for defenders, like Allen, is that many current players seem unbothered by the prospect of creating their own shots. Even when fortified by modern-day working-effort and technical-precision principles, Allen’s defensive game plan seems unlikely to significantly disrupt NBA offenses.
Nonetheless, the mental advantage that Tony could provide remained in play. His consistency in bringing not just energy but also intensity into every moment of every game was enough to disrupt the focus of even the most reliable stars. In terms of defense, the sheer concept of having a strong identity that simply dominated opponents was what the best teams were doing, and that was partly why they were good.
To wrap things up, defensive determination and discipline are still as important as they have ever been—this is something the bio of Tony Allen makes very clear. Coaches who prize this mindset will not be out of place in today’s NBA. And that is good for both passion and strategy.
Explore More on us
Discover insightful blogs on our Blogging Space, check our SoloStat Score Explanation, and learn more about NBA All-Defensive Team.