by Marcel Mutoni / @ marcel_mutoni
After two feisty games that left the Memphis Grizzlies-OKC Thunder first round series all even, the media had the gall to suggest that Tony Allen was keeping Kevin Durant under wraps.
KD is averaging 34.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists so far in the series, while shooting just 47.2 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from 3-point range.
An annoyed Durant admitted that Allen has made life harder than usual, but in no way is he being shut down.
Per the The Oklahoman:
“He’s good,” Durant said. “He’s good at dodging screens. He’s physical. But everybody plays the same way with me.”
Later in his six-minute interview session, Durant was asked why he doesn’t post up more. His response fell somewhere between agitated and defensive.
“Being a taller guy, when these shorter guys guard you, it’s a little tougher because they’re lower to the ground,” Durant said. “They’re quicker. But nobody’s just going to let me sit in the post. They’re going to put two guys on me, one on the backside and one sitting in my lap. So I just got to move around more.”
“It’s not like I’m just getting totally locked down,” he continued. “But he’s making it tough. It’s the playoffs. Every possession’s going to be tough no matter who we’re playing. But it’s not like I’m just non-existent. I don’t know what you guys have been watching. But he’s making me work, just like everybody else would.”
Tony Allen has played extraordinary defense on the leading MVP candidate through two contests, holding Kevin Durant to a measly 36 percent shooting (while other Memphis defenders have been lit up to the tune of 56 percent.) Allen is the Grizz’s best shot at slowing down Durant, and he certainly won’t back down as the series progresses.
Durant and Allen’s war will resume Thursday night in Game 3.
