When Brian Scalabrine and James Posey went down with injuries earlier in the season, I wrote that the Atlanta and New Jersey games represented the official beginning of Tony Allen's season. If TA wanted to make a case for a new contract next summer, his time to do so would start then.
It might not be fair to describe Tony Allen’s theme song this year as the Sounds of Silence, but he certainly has a long way to go before he can declare himself fully recovered.
In the meantime, Gabe Pruitt has been biding his time, first at the end of the Celtics bench and then in the NBDL, where he played two solid games, including one game where he scored 31 points, dished 8 assists, and hit the game winner as the buzzer sounded.
Most Celtics fans are waiting to see if Gabe Pruitt has any point guard skills. While the 8 assists might suggest that he does, today I am more interested in the overall skill set of the two players.
Pruitt and Allen are roughly the same height, only Pruitt can shoot better, and, given Allen's ongoing struggle to regain his old form, probably can play better defense. Allen does weigh more than Pruitt, and thus in theory does offer the potential to guard more physical wings, if and when he ever finds his mobility.
At the current time, Posey and Scalabrine are clearly ahead of Tony Allen on the depth chart. So is Eddie House.
Now Tony Allen is injured again.
This gives Doc the perfect excuse to take Old Gabe for a test run against the Cavs.
A little second quarter action never hurt anyone.
If he does well there, my only question is will Doc move him up in the rotation on a semi-regular basis, or use him situationally and inconsistently like he does with Big Baby?
For now, my hope is Doc plays Gabe 10 or more minutes tonight.
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