Lavoy Allen still hopeful for starting stint despite Coach Doug Collins’ comments – NBA News
Lavoy Allen made a name for himself in the 2012 NBA Playoffs when he put up a great effort on the defensive end for the Philadelphia 76ers. Allen particularly did a great job on Kevin Garnett during the Sixers Eastern Conference
Semi Final series against the Boston Celtics.
Garnett had been dominating the paint till that point, but was somewhat curtailed by Allen. Despite his efforts however, Sixers Coach Doug Collins gave more playing time to Spencer Hawes than Allen, who was man handled by Garnett.
Allen efforts were not enough to make an impression on his coach as Collins has announced that Hawes and Kwame Brown will be starting next year for the Sixers in the front court. Although both players are skilled and capable, Allen
brought more intensity to the Sixers team last season than the other two.
Allen is still upbeat about his future with the Sixers, and feels he can make way for himself if he continues to perform. CSN Philadelphia reports that Allen was present at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in South Jersey on Saturday
afternoon for a basketball showcase, and said:
“It doesn’t bother me. You never know what can happen once training camp rolls around. You don’t know who’s going to do what. Coach says that now, but you never know what he’s thinking. He switched the line-up many times last year.”
It’s not that Allen was making heads turn last season, he just played with a lot of aggressiveness, something which the Sixers lacked in the post. Hawes also improved on his career statistics last season and is the likely candidate
for the starting position next season.
It will be interesting to see how Collins will use his players next season, particularly Hawes, Brown and Allen. They could combine for a thrilling front court rotation, causing troubles for the opposing teams. But all depends
on the commitment from the players and the strategy Collins uses to approach the game.
What we can say for now is that if the Sixers end up in another playoff series with the Boston Celtics, it would be beneficial for them to go with Allen against Garnett, instead of allowing him to feast on Hawes one more time.
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