National Basketball Association

Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen to try out point guard for the upcoming season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Memphis Grizzlies’ swingman Tony Allen has been playing point guard during training camp on coach David Fizdale’s orders

Tony Allen has always been known as a shooting guard who’s also dabbled as a small forward in the past couple of years. However, Allen told the Commercial Appeal at training camp that coach David Fizdale has been making him play point guard to expand his game.

Allen had to say this about the point guard position:

“I don’t want to be the primary backup point guard guy but I want some spot minutes at it…I don’t want to take away from my first-team attributes. I didn’t have any key assists. But I was getting the team in formations, putting guys in the right spot and know what plays to make when the defense reacts. It’s more about veteran savvy.”

Could he do it?

Now could Allen actually play point guard, albeit in very limited minutes and situations? I myself, believe he can. Allen has always been known for a few things: being an amazing perimeter defender, an explosive athlete, and a notoriously bad shooter.

In today’s NBA, shooting guards have to be able to space the floor, something Allen has never been able to do. Now at point guard, his strengths are highlighted and his major weakness isn’t as major when playing the point guard rather than shooting guard positions.

Allen, standing at 6’4,” makes him a good matchup for point guards in the league and his defensive abilities would cut off teams getting into their set plays if the ‘quarterback’ is being constantly pestered and harassed. His ability to be explosive and athletic works at the point guard position if you can’t shoot. Two outliers such as Derrick Rose (when healthy) and Russell Westbrook have shown you don’t need to shoot to be a good point guard.

Will he do it?

Coach Fizdale wants Tony Allen being more of a point guard. It’s a good idea in theory, but will it work in reality? He’d have to improve his handles and passing to be a passable point guard but it’s the only position that he’s a good size with his strengths being more valued and his weaknesses not being as major than if he played his natural position.
A good idea on paper. Here’s hoping we see Tony Allen shouting “First team!” as an all-NBA first team point guard.