The ‘Thief’ is expected to be fully fit by training camp for the Memphis Grizzlies….
Tony Allen, the defensive specialist from Memphis Grizzlies, had a surgery to repair a torn cartilage in his left knee during the off season. The procedure was deemed minor and the minimal recovery time has allowed the shooting
guard to be ready for the start of training camp.
The Grizzlies fans will be very happy to hear that Allen has recently started working out at the FedExForum and expects him-self to be ready for training camp starting from October 2nd.
"I'm definitely getting myself back to being that thirsty dog," Allen said. "I don't want to rush it. But I'll be back for the first game, Oct. 31, against the (Los Angeles) Clippers. I guarantee that."
Allen is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. Even though, he has limited productivity on the offensive end but on the D, there is hardly anyone better in the business. Kobe Bryant branded him as one of the toughest
defenders in the league nearly a year ago, and the player surpassed the Black Mamba in the All NBA First Defensive Team at the shooting guard slot last season.
Known for his ability to get in the passing lane, Allen has earned himself the nickname ‘thief’. Over the 8 years Allen has scored per game 7.8 points and has an average of 1.2 steals. The player has been with the Grizzlies for
the past two seasons and in both of those campaigns, he has managed career best 1.8 steals per game. Having him back fully fit for the season will certainly be a good thing for Memphis who need a bit of steel in the backcourt.
After O.J. Mayo was let go in the free agency, the Grizzlies have become thin at the two guard position. Mayo was a prolific scorer, and the backup guards have huge shoes to fill if Memphis are to be consistently successful. But
Allen is confident about the current Grizzlies line up and has high hopes for Jared Bayless and Wayne Ellington to fit right into the system.
"They both are talented. Ellington can shoot from anywhere and Bayless is a scorer. He kind of reminds me of O.J.,” Allen said. “I'm ready to go to war with whoever we have in camp."
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