Note: Over the next couple of weeks we will recap the Sixers season by evaluating each member of the roster.
Lavoy AllenPosition: CenterStatus: Restricted free agent with qualifying offer of 962,195
Signature game of 2012Coming off the bench for big men Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Allen scored 12 points with eight rebounds along with three offensive rebounds in 31 minutes. But more than that, Allen was coach Doug Collins answer for Celtics center Kevin Garnett when the Sixers went to a four-guard lineup.
From May 15, 2012:
We didnt have to double team as much, Brand said about Allens defensive effort. They look at him and think, Who is this rookie? But hes as strong as an ox down there and Im just proud of the way hes playing.
With Allen as the anchor of a four-guard lineup, the Sixers offense finally found a rhythm. Moreover, Allen was a plus-21 in his 30 minutes of court time. Most of that was spent guarding the 17-year veteran Kevin Garnett.
Game 1, he got a lot of jump shots, a lot of open jump shots, Allen said about guarding Garnett. This game, he tried a lot in the post, so I tried to push him off the block to make him post out a little farther away.
Allen in 2011-12Allen was clearly the Sixers most pleasant surprise of the postseason. To think, when the season started Allen was often on the inactive list after a training camp where some didnt know if hed even make the team. In fact, he didnt get any action until the seventh game of the season and sat out of 13 of the first 15 games of 2011-12. Meanwhile, Allen had six DNP-CDs during the final month of the season and then there were three more games where he played eight minutes or fewer.
If anyone thought Allen would start the first playoff game of the season and then be on the floor for the final quarter to guard Garnett in a Sixers-Celtics playoff game, they were probably in an asylum. But there he was. Allen started 15 games during the regular season and had a high-scoring game of 15 points against the Bulls on Feb. 1. Still, given Allens easygoing nature, it took Collins some time to figure out what he had in the kid from Pennsbury High and Temple U.
As it seems now, Allen just might be the biggest steal from last summers draft.
Glimpse into the futureAfter turning heads during the postseason, look for the Sixers to keep Allen in the fold for 2012-13. Better yet, it seems as if Allen is in line for more time as part of Collins rotation. Initially put off by Allens easy-going demeanor, Collins came around on the rookie second-rounder. Mostly that was because Allen has been ready for whatever Collins has thrown at him. Early in the season Collins thought Allens body-fat index was getting a bit too high so he lost 10 pounds in just a couple of weeks. Collins also told Allen that if he decided to dedicate himself to basketball for the next 10 years, he could retire a very wealthy man long before he hits the age of 35.
Its going to be tough, but he can do it, Collins said. Hes been willing to do whatever weve asked.
On Lavoy Allen You wouldnt know hes breathing. He doesnt really show much emotion, or talk or anything. Whether he scores 50 or scores nothing, hes still even keel. I dont even think he realizes what hes doing.
-Evan Turner
Lavoy he just goes along with it. I told you my goal in life is to have just one Lavoy Allen dayjust one. Just give me one. Just not give a bleep about anything. Just one day.-Doug Collins
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.