cut him for all I care, this team is better without him

Pruitt needs an extended opportunity in order for the team to truly find out what they have in him. So short term, no, I don’t think Tony should be put back in the rotation.

Past that point — there’s a large role that needs filling and Tony can fill it.

It’s time to see what the other candidates for TA’s role can do. I like seeing Pruitt get a little burn; I’d like to see Walker get the same. If Walker can play D, he could bring a lot to the table – not least of which is the fact that he’s got the size and strength to match up with some of the bigger wing players we’ll see in the playoffs. I’d just like to see him start getting a few minutes (with a short leash) during times other than garbage time. Let’s see how he does out there playing with Rondo and KG and Ray; let’s see if he can fit into the rotation, or if he’s still too raw.

He can help this team as a defensive specialist off the bench for short stretches. Beyond that, the idea that he could ever be the sixth man on a title contender was ridiculous from the start.

Put him in a role that suits his substantial limitations – mental and physical – and he can help us.

He’ll probably play a lesser role for awhile. But unless we pick someone else, he’ll have most of his minutes back sooner or later.

Yes – but Pruitt will give it back if he doesn’t get his act together soon.

At the time he went down/out Doc was still experimenting with roatations..i really didn’t see him with a sure roll(clearcut roll) off the bench.I feel Doc has gotten better at who should play with whom right now,and TA probably should accept some garbage minutes for the time being.Maybe as time passes he can earn more important time on the floor but i like the way things are going at present.

Two things have changed since TA went down: Pruitt started getting consistent minutes as the backup point guard and Scal started getting frontcourt minutes at the expense of Powe or Davis.

The decision Doc has to make is whether he’ll continue to play the better point guard once he has another 2-guard in the mix. House has been great, of late, at getting his kinds of shots when Pruitt is at point…whether he makes them or not is usually a function of whether we’re up 10+ points. But will he be as effective at point guard, running the offense? I’d venture a no at this point. But, Doc being Doc, he’ll probably seek to get his veterans on the court, meaning Eddie and TA will get the most minutes on the 2nd unit. So, yes, TA gets his spot back (once his conditioning returns and the rust falls off), Eddie gets his PG role back, and probably the 2nd unit has a bit of a downturn because it won’t have a real point guard.

What should really happen, however, would be to continue using Pruitt at the point, with House and TA getting their minutes at the 2. On nights when House has it going, he gets the minutes. And since House usually has it going when we’re in the process of blowing a team out, then TA can probably get some time at the 3, depending on matchups. When House isn’t hitting (like against Orlando), then TA gets the majority of the minutes, probably against the better teams since House struggles against teams that game plan for him.

House is a one-trick pony and if you cover him he’ll never hurt you. TA, on the other hand, brings consistent defense, plus the ability to get into the lane and thus is the more consistent player. And since the 2nd team’s resurgence has been on the defensive end, I think TA will end up getting the most, if not all, his minutes back. Hopefully, they’ll be at the expense of House, but knowing Doc they’ll probably come at Pruitt’s expense.

I’m in no rush to see him back.

Right now Pruitt is making good progress, house playing good D and is shooting well. If Powe can lose his spot, then why shouldn’t TA? From what I’ve seen from him which isn’t much, he isn’t ready for prime time and step his game up, He disrupts that flow of the offense & is a turnover machine. I see no reason for him to get his spot back, house & Pruitt earned the right to be in the rotation with significant minutes.

I don’t necedssarily agree that Pruitt is “making good progress.” In fact, the idea of him at the point behind Rondo in the playoffs is not something I’m ready to embrace at this point. At the two? Perhaps.

As for Tony, it boils down to fitting players with definite limitations – which describes everyone on our bench – into roles they can handle. When Doc asks Tony to do more than he’s capable, then it becomes the coach’s fault.

I am not saying Pruitt is a great player or anything, but I just watched a few recorded games I had kept where he saw a few minutes alongside Eddie House. This allows Eddie House to ‘get to a spot’ where he can make a squared up shot attempt instead of playing PG. Just Gabe’s bringing the ball upcourt against moderate pressure and ability to not only beat the pressure but push the ball and make the right pass……Sorry Tony, Nick is right.

Add in a much better looking jump shot, decent team and perimeter defense. I see a lot less Tony Allen in our future.

With Scal hurt, this becomes sort of a moot point.

Anyway, I’m not ready to give up on TA just yet. He plays great defense and he’s got a little bit of length. He’s not always in control of his body on offense, but he can get to the basket and I think he’s got some value. I’m not sold that he’ll ever be a championship team’s 6th man, but for the second or third guy off the bench you could do a lot worse.

I root for TA but time after time he just doesn’t show consistency night in night out.

My opinion is to check to trade winds to move him. How about Hakim Warrick for TA and our 2nd Round pick??

Monies are agreeable and Warrick is that length guy we have been talking about along with energy.

He’s going to have to sustain a solid out put to win fans confidence back.

Couldnt agree more Wahz, but I think most are waiting for the real Tony to show up.

That consistency thing is a serious drag on Tony Allen.

I wish him well, I just think there are better and more reliable options available on our bench. We have all been teased by ‘Super Tony’ before. I dont want to be a downer but……..caution is in order.