Extension is unlikely for Allen</p> Celtics guard Tony Allen is not expected to get a contract extension before the Oct. 31 deadline, according to an NBA source.</p> Allen is eligible for the extension because he was drafted in 2004. The 6-foot-4-inch, 213-pounder showed promise by averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals last season, but missed the last 48 games because of left knee ACL surgery. He is making $1.8 million this season, the last year of his contract, and will be a restricted free agent next summer. The source said a combination of Allen's knee injury and the lack of 2004 class members getting extensions are the main reasons he isn't expected to be rewarded now.</p> "I know what I'm capable of doing," said Allen, who averaged 4.8 points in the preseason. "I'm in a great situation over here and the ball is just not in my court. It's in the organization's court."</p> Sitting above Allen's stall in the Celtics' locker room is a picture of him soaring for a dunk in a game. The fourth-year Celtic acknowledged frustration with not being able to regain his explosiveness since the surgery.</p> When asked how close he was to being the old Allen, he said: "Well, that's a tough question because some days I feel good and some days I feel like, 'Ah, man, am I going to make it?' So it's like, when am I going to be able to wake up and have a good 10 days consecutively and say, 'Hey, I'm going to go up there and do this and do that . . .'</p> "Ups and downs, man. Good days and bad days. I can't really tell."</p> <h3>Cavalier approach</h3> Unbeknownst to him, Kevin Garnett earned a triple-double in the preseason finale last night.</p> The 10-time NBA All-Star collected 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists in 32 minutes during the Celtics' 114-89 victory over the Cavaliers at TD Banknorth Garden.</p> The Celtics finished the preseason 4-3 and open the regular season Friday against Washington.</p> Ray Allen added 20 points and seven Celtics scored in double figures.</p> "I don't tend to think of my stats, where I'm going or any of that," Garnett said. "I'm just going."</p> Boston's leading scorer in the preseason was Paul Pierce at 18.4 points per game, while Ray Allen averaged 16.7 points and Garnett averaged 15.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.</p> The reigning Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers finished 1-6 in the preseason.</p> "The season starts next Wednesday, so we need to either get it together or keep getting blown out some more," said Cavaliers star LeBron James, who had 17 points.</p> "Yup, that's as simple as it is. Either get it together or get blown out."</p> <h3>No fines? Dandy</h3> After an investigation, an NBA official said yesterday the league won't punish any Celtics for physical actions that took place against the Knicks last Monday in Madison Square Garden. Pierce put his hand on Knicks guard Jamal Crawford's chin after Celtics guard Ray Allen was fouled hard by Crawford. Tony Allen also seemed to shove Knicks guard Nate Robinson.</p> Pierce said he's not worried about the NBA's investigation. "Did I seem worried? Of course not, man. That's why we didn't discuss it."</p> <h3>Mixing and matching</h3> Celtics coach Doc Rivers said before the game he wanted to try several different big and small lineups. Most of the experiments were small, including using power forward Garnett at center and swingman James Posey at power forward, a small backcourt of Rajon Rondo and Eddie House, and there was another with Garnett at center and rookie Glen Davis at power forward.</p> Rivers said he wants to have a rotation of 8-9 players in the regular season. He added that three players who could be in that rotation are at the power forward spot in Davis, Brian Scalabrine, and Leon Powe based on matchups and coach's intuition.</p> "I'm glad [Rivers is] considering me," Davis said. "I'm just going to keep working hard every day. That's my main focus."</p> <h3>Rest and relaxation</h3> The Celtics are expected to be off today and will resume practice tomorrow at TD Banknorth Garden with a private practice for season ticket-holders . . . Ex-Celtic John Thompson, now an analyst for TNT, interviewed Pierce, Ray Allen, and Garnett last Tuesday in New York. The interview will air during the network's NBA preview show Tuesday at 7 p.m.</p> </p>
Tony shouldn't get an extension. He's gotta show he can really play just as good or better than he did before the injury before he can earn some more money.</p>
Yeah, I think this is probably the smart way to go. As peg said, we can't throw money at him if we have no clue how he's going to recover. I'm optimistic about it, Tony is optimistic about it, and I think the organization is fairly optimistic about his recovery, but you can never be too sure.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GM3)</div><div class='quotemain'> That really sucks for him. One moment cost him millions of dollars.</p></div> Well now he'll just have to come out and show that he can do it again. I don't beleive he would have gotten an extension anyway even if he was healthy, until he was able to show that he could do it for a second time.OT: What in the world is Kidd doing to Jefferson?</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (employee #5)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GM3)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> That really sucks for him. One moment cost him millions of dollars.</p> </div></p> Well now he'll just have to come out and show that he can do it again. I don't beleive he would have gotten an extension anyway even if he was healthy, until he was able to show that he could do it for a second time. OT: What in the world is Kidd doing to Jefferson?</p> </div></p> It was two seasons ago agaisnt the Bulls. It was game winning layup. Kidd was so happy to beat Skiles he strangled RJ.</p> </p> </p> </p>
