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2 days ago
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"I don't see him being effective" - Tony Allen reveals what his defensive strategy would be if he was defending SGA today
"I don't see him being effective" - Tony Allen reveals what his defensive strategy would be if he was defending SGA today originally appeared on Basketball Network. It has been an unforgettable season for Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With the regular season and Western Conference Most Valuable Player trophy already in his possession, the 6'6" guard is in the hunt for the biggest prize of them all: the Larry O'Brien trophy. Advertisement And with OKC winning game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals to tie the series up at 1-1 heading to Indianapolis, the Thunder are looking to take the lead in the series in Game 3. The Indiana Pacers haven't found any answers so far for SGA, who is averaging 36.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game. Former defensive powerhouse Tony Allen has certainly taken notice of SGA's exceptional talent. On his appearance on "The OGs" podcast, he offered a few tips on how he would defend the talented Canadian if he were still playing today. SGA is getting too many easy shots going to his left Shai led the NBA in scoring in the regular season, winning the scoring title by averaging 32.7 points per game. This means that he is at the top of every scouting report, and opposing defenses prioritize stopping him. However, even with all that attention, SGA has still been able to produce at an incredibly high level. Advertisement One of the keys to his success is his versatility on the court. He can score from anywhere on the floor, whether it's attacking the rim, knocking down mid-range jumpers or hitting three-point shots. This makes him a nightmare for defenders, as they must be prepared for anything when guarding him. However, Tony Allen believes he can slow down the shifty guard by sending him to his right. "If I had to start with Shai, I'm definitely sending him to his right hand. Because a lot of his shots, he just makes look easy going left. I mean, it looks like a rhythm shot after he bumps you off. Right-hand shooter—it's just, he's right there in the space," TA assessed. "Now, I would like to see that going to the right hand. And not only that, since they're letting us be physical now, you know, let's get our bigs up a little more and just give me enough time to push through the screen. I can be physical now—they letting us play. Let me get through the screen, square him back up, but stay on his hand—on his left hand. Let's force him that way. But be willing to brace that bump, because you know he about to bump," the six-time All-Defensive Team member continued. Advertisement Related: "Lot of teammates don't be as close as us three are after basketball" - Gary Payton on why he keeps close ties with his old SuperSonics teammates Be mindful of SGA's strength SGA has a wiry physique, but according to "The Grindfather," don't let that fool anyone; the man has the strength to shrug off physical play and get to the basket. Simply put, elite scorers like him have seen every defensive coverage and strategy there is. So, the key to slowing down his offensive production is not just about pure physicality, but also about smart and calculated defense. "See, a lot of times, you stay too connected to him and he just gets your ass up off him. And he's strong—a lot of people don't realize how strong he is as a 6'6" guard, point guard. Like, once he pushes you off, that's the separation right there," Allen shared. "If you can brace that, be able to gather your upper body up and brace that—and still be willing to contest for a 48-minute game—I don't see him being effective." Advertisement While some may interpret this as an OG just mouthing off, it's clear that Allen is speaking from experience and knowledge. He understands the intricacies of defending premier players like James Harden, Steph Curry and even the late Kobe Bryant, so the tactics he regularly used on those MVPs might just work on the current MVP. Related: "To put it mildly, every night you had to go against a legend" - Dominique Wilkins makes a case he should be in the GOAT debate This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Star Sends Parting Message After National Championship Run
Just three and a half weeks ago, the Florida Gators captured their third national championship with a win over the Houston Cougars. A big part of their title run was guard Alijah Martin, who averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. It was a major turnaround for a team that struggled mightily on defense just a year earlier. According to KenPom, Florida ranked 12th in offensive efficiency but 94th in defensive efficiency during the 2023-24 season. Advertisement Head coach Todd Golden made it a priority to address that weakness heading into 2024-25, and the addition of Martin, who transferred from Florida Atlantic, proved to do wonders for the 39-year-old coach. With Martin's leadership and impact on the defensive end, the Gators shot up to second in the nation in defensive efficiency and finished the season as national champions. Now former Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15)© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images After five years at the college basketball level, Martin has moved on and is now preparing for the 2025 NBA Draft. On Thursday, he took to social media to express his gratitude to Florida fans. "Thank You Gator Nation 🫶🏽🐊," the 6-foot-2 guard wrote. Despite Martin's small size as an off-ball guard, he is still viewed as a late second-round pick. He uses his strength to his advantage and, as previously highlighted, prides himself on the defensive end. Advertisement In a recent episode of "The OGs" podcast, Martin shared a few NBA players he compares himself to. "I'd say my comparison, I'd say early in the league, probably like Davion Mitchell," Martin said. "Towards the breaking point, Lu Dort, and then when I'm at my peak, probably, like, Jrue Holiday. But then I also have an offensive game like Donovan Mitchell or Damian Lillard that I can get to for real." Related: Florida Reveals Availability Plan For 7-Foot-9 College Basketball Player
