Getting back to defensive stopper gets Tony Allen floor time

There were only 20 seconds remaining in the first half when Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins cold-called reserve guard Tony Allen.

Down against the Clippers on the road last weekend in Los Angeles, the Griz didn't want to give up another basket before halftime. Allen hadn't played yet, or hardly any in the previous six games, but he took the floor to run interference.

"He got a stop and he was really happy about that," reserve forward Darrell Arthur recalled. "He just goes out there and plays with so much passion. If we all go out there and play like him, we'd be great."
What's grand for the streaking Grizzlies is that Allen appears to be finally fitting in with his new team.

Allen, a free-agent acquisition from Boston, struggled early in the season with his role and playing time. But now there are strong signs that Hollins and the six-year veteran have a good understanding of each other.

Allen stays ready to live up to his reputation as someone who disrupts the opposition. Hollins, now more confident that he has the same specialist the Celtics enjoyed, has begun to utilize Allen more consistently.

The result has been Allen boldly contributing as a game-changer during a winning streak the Grizzlies will try to pad to a season-high four games tonight when they host the Charlotte Bobcats.

"As we were going along, we were trying different things, and I finally have my mind set on how we're going to play," Hollins said. "Right now, Sam (Young) is the odd man out."

Hollins said recently that his bench rotation has come together more by feel. It's safe to say he is feeling Allen's effort, enthusiasm and no-holds-barred mentality on defense more and more.

That explains why Allen has averaged 17 minutes over the past two games while playing no more than six in six of his previous seven appearances. Clearly, the Griz picked up a selfless role player when they signed Allen to a three-year, nearly $10million deal.

"Nothing can break me if I don't play or if I do," Allen said. "I'm just playing hard. That's all. Whether its three minutes or 33 minutes, I'm just trying to play hard and help the team. If it's to score, steal, rebound, pass, foul ... whatever the case may be."