The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a one-year deal with 14-year NBA veteran Tony Allen. The Pelicans are looking to replace their injured primary wing defender Solomon Hill with a better defender in Tony Allen.
Tony Allen's NBA journey
Tony Allen was drafted by the Boston Celtics 25th overall in the 2004 NBA draft. The 35-year old veteran is a one-time NBA champion with the Celtics and a six-time All-defensive team member.
Allen is able to stay in the NBA because of his defensive prowess, stopping opposing team's main offensive weapons and he even got the honor of being called the 'closest thing to a Kobe Stopper' by Kobe Bryant himself.
Tony Allen spent his first six NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics where he averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game before the Memphis Grizzlies signed him as a free agent.
He then spent the next seven seasons of his career with the Grizzlies and averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
How will Tony Allen fit with the New Orleans Pelicans?
The New Orleans Pelicans are led by All-Star forward Anthony Davis and All-Star center Demarcus Cousins. Davis is a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA team member, a two-time All-Defensive team member, a member of the 2012-2013 All-Rookie team, and the 2016-2017 All-Star Most Valuable Player.
The New Orleans Pelicans acquired Demarcus Cousins together with Omri Casspi from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and a 2017 first and second round draft pick. Cousins is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA team member, and a member of the 2010-2011 All-Rookie team.
Although they finished in the middle of the Western Conference, they were still able to produce a good defensive rating wherein they ranked 9th out of the 30 NBA teams allowing only 107.4 points per game. This defensive effort is partly due to Solomon Hill's defensive capabilities in the wing and Anthony Davis manning the paint.
Solomon Hill's injury was a big hit in the Pelicans' wing rotation but the arrival of Tony Allen would surely help them in that category and would significantly improve their perimeter defense.
Tony Allen is considered to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Allen will most likely be tasked with defending their opposing team’s main offensive weapons, and he will surely be the Pelicans’ leader in defense.
Tony Allen's addition to the Pelicans will surely help them as they move forward. This move will also help minimize the pressure on Anthony Davis defensively.
