Last season, the Detroit Pistons' first visit to TD Banknorth Garden ended with Chauncey Billups pump-faking the Celtics' Tony Allen into a foul, whereupon Billups went to the line and sank two free throws.
The Pistons won, 87-85, in what was considered the first big test of the season for the rebuilt, championship-starved Celtics. And Allen had some 'splainin' to do when it was over. Here we are, one year later. The Celtics are defending NBA champions. Tony Allen is a year older, a year wiser and still very much a Celtic. And the Pistons have recently restacked their deck, the result being that the talented Mr. Billups is now a member of the Denver Nuggets.
``I think I only played four seconds that game,'' Allen said before last night's game vs. Detroit. ``But Chauncey did his thing, and I learned from that play.
``It was a good thing I was put in that situation. Because when that situation happens again, I understand and I'm ready for it.''
Allen actually played more than four seconds in last year's game - but not much more. He logged 4:34, almost all of it in the first half, and had just come back in when he fouled Billups.
``Things happen for a reason,'' said Allen. ``I'm still here. As far as Chauncey moving on, I guess that's what it is.''
Going into last night's game, Allen had appeared in all 12 games this season, averaging 18.6 minutes a contest. His biggest game of the season was Nov. 9 in Detroit, when Allen scored 23 points in 28 minutes to lead the C's to an 88-76 victory over the Pistons.
That effort spoiled the home debut of Allen Iverson, who came to Detroit in the Billups trade.
