Pretty impressive and this isn't just a knee jerk reaction from tonight's game, which I had the pleasure of attending. His mechanics haven't changed all that much, he just appears to have a much smoother release, less of a jerk to it than in the past.
For those who weren't there, Tony was the first guy out of the locker room after half time firing away jumpers a good few minutes before anyone else came back on the floor. His shot looked silky smooth and I swear he must have drained nearly 20 in a row at one point from just off the top of the key.
Hes looking a lot better... he seems to take 2 steps forward, one step back, so hes progressing, even if he is inconsistant.
the shot does look very smooth, and even off the dribble tonight it always looked like it was going in... none of the erratic shots he used to throw up (more often anyway).
I vividly remember conversations on this board about his shot during his first two years and into last season. The overwhelming opinion was that he couldn't become a good shooter, that it really couldn't be learned. The thought was with work he could improve and become a serviceable shooter, but nothing more.
The way that ball is releasing for him right now, especially the three balls from the corner.....I think TA is going to prove many of us wrong from our prognosis a couple years back. Perhaps the wrecked knee made him realize that if he wants to make a good living in this league for a long time, he better learn to shoot the ball well.
Had he not become a decent shooter in the league, his stellar defense and driving ability would've made him employable for a long time, but the shot is definitely $$$$ in the bank for him. Totally different situation, but as GREAT of a defender as Bruce Bowen has been the past five/six years for the Spurs, I highly doubt he'd have the role he's had had he not learned to draig the three.
I've loved watching Allen come along this season. His vertical is already far more impressive then it was at the start of the year. When he threw it down last game it was clear that TA is almost back. I'm glad Danny kept him around to see if he would make a come back.
Tony's jay was looking better last year already, and it's nice that I don't cringe every time he releases a jumper...so...that's good, I guess.
__________________ "Paul Pierce is the (expletive) truth. Quote me on that and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth."
- Shaquille O'Neal
"Kirilenko's eyes started to tear in the locker room as he talked in a shaky voice about his frustrations and inability to stop Pierce. He played just four minutes in the final quarter because of his inept defense, but his small consolation was that none of his teammates could do any better."
- Salt Lake Tribune
"I think he is at a point in his career where he gets very distracted by having a hand in his face."
- Portland forward Buck Williams on Larry Bird, before Larry Legend dropped 49 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in a double overtime win
Tony Allen's improved shot
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