Tony Allen explains how he would shut down Anthony Edwards

Originally posted on Basketball Network
By Yakshpat Bhargava | Last updated Dec 5, 2024 1:09 PM ET

Anthony Edwards has taken his scoring abilities to new heights in the 2024-25 season, averaging a career-best 26.7 points on a stellar 42.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc through the first 20 games. Already a dominant force when attacking the rim, "Ant-Man's" newfound sharpshooting makes him an even more unstoppable offensive force. However, if you ask 42-year-old Tony Allen, he remains certain that he would have no issues containing the two-time All-Star.

Allen boasts about being containing Edwards

While the 2008 NBA Champion has never won a DPOY honor, his defensive credentials speak for themselves. With a career defensive rating of 101.7 and six All-NBA Defensive Team selections—three of them First Team honors—Allen had a relentless presence on the perimeter. Not only did he have the ability to guard the rim, but his ability not to let scorers create space to knock mid-rangers and put constant pressure to cause turnovers was exceptional.

Recognizing this during a "Playback Livestream," Tony confidently claimed how he could stop Edwards from dominating in games by neutralizing his dominant left-hand drives.

"I'm strong… I'm sending his a-- to the right the whole time," Allen said. "My best defense is going to beat his little a--."

Perkins gave his seal of approval to Allen's claim

"The Grindfather's" confidence is not without merit. Kobe Bryant once famously admitted that Allen was the "toughest defender" he ever faced. This acknowledgment alone adds weight to Allen's claim that he could stop any player on the court.

"He was the only one that wasn't crying for help."

Kobe says Tony Allen (by far) was the toughest defender for him. Respect. pic.twitter.com/q1FPdCT1wC
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 9, 2018

If that wasn't enough, his former teammate, Kendrick Perkins, who was also present during the livestream, emphasized that Edwards likely wouldn't want to face a tenacious defender like Allen.

"Ant-Man ain't want no smoke with killa bro," Perkins said.

That being said, the NBA has changed significantly since Allen's era. Back then, defenders had more leeway to use tactics like "arm-bars" or subtle nudges to disrupt scorers' offensive rhythm. However, in today's game, minimal contact often results in foul calls, which heavily favors the ones going for a bucket.

As a result, fast and versatile guards like Edwards thrive, making it exceptionally difficult to defend him without drawing fouls.

This article first appeared on Basketball Network and was syndicated with permission.

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