2 days ago
"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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
