It was announced by Danny Ainge in the Boston Herald that both Tony Allen and Eddie House have re-signed with the Celtics.
They both are said to have re-upped for 2 years for around $2 million each, with Eddie House getting a bit more at approximately 1/2 of the Mid Level Exception ($5.6 mil. is the MLE).
That does a lot to stabilize the team and answer some open questions for this coming season. Danny has mentioned that he thinks this could be Tony Allen’s break out season. It would be special if he did just that with the team that brought him into the league and has endured the uneven ride that has been Tony’s career. This will be Tony’s 5th year in the league.
If healthy, 6′ 4″, 26 year old Tony Allen can be a difference maker at both ends of the court. A good locker room guy, and in spite of his ‘trials’ and challenges, Tony can often be seen bobbing around the locker room with his head phones on his head and a smile on his face. Usually an upbeat guy, Tony has often stated the perfunctory “I’ll do what ever the coach asks me to do to help this team, even if it is just to go get the Gatorade.” But on the Celtics, that statement is more genuinely meant than on many teams.
Like Rajon Rondo was before his national exposure recently, Tony is probably a bit of a mystery to non-Celtic fans. The talent upside is pretty high, the bumps in the road have been many, and if he fulfills even part of his potential, he will help alleviate the loss of Posey at both ends of the floor.
Tony is a great man defender, has been learning to play better team defense, and has demonstrated quick hands leading to some big steals. He can play tough tough defense on taller opponents, including players like Lebron, when motivated. Though he has a solid build, he is quick enough to stay with other speedy 6’4″ NBA types. He has even been used at point guard, in addition to his more natural off guard and small forward positions. So Tony is versatile.
Offensively, he is more versatile than Posey and can create his own shot in many circumstances, something that James Posey could rarely do. Tony is a slasher and finds daylight where there is often none. His erratic jump shooting, including his three point shooting has shown flashes. When he is off, his shot looks terrible, but his results are sometimes better than his shot release would indicate.
Celtics Rent a House for 2 more Years
6′ 1″, 30 year old, combo guard Eddie House is known for one of the deadliest quick releases in the league. What has been a bonus is his development as an all around player this past season. He is a pest on defense and can really get after it. Who can forget the play where he ran pell mell, dove, slid a mile and tipped a loose ball to save it to James Posey before sliding out of bounds? It is not unusual to see Eddie get a steal here and there at important times in games.
While Eddie’s distribution and ball handling skills are open to debate, they are often offset with the other things he does. Of course, his main value is his long time ability to hit the open three to keep teams from collapsing the middle. He is another guy who doesn’t make waves and appreciates the chance to play for a team like the Celtics.
Both Eddie and Tony have a mental toughness to their games that fits well with the Celtics.
This brings the signings to 12. If 2nd round draftees Giddens and Walker are expected to sign, that leaves one spot open. If 2nd year man Gabe Pruitt is expected to fill the other back-up point guard spot, they will most likely look for another big or a long small forward to complete the roster.
