Tony Allen has many positive qualities on the basketball floor, most notably his defense and status as "The Grindfather" for the Memphis Grizzlies.
But Allen has very limited offensive skills. The 11-year veteran remains a very important member of the Grizzlies, but it's probably for the best that he's taking on a more minor role at the offensive end.
Allen showed why during a single possession of Friday's game against the Los Angels Lakers at Staples Center. With a little over five minutes remaining in the second quarter, Allen stole a pass from Ed Davis and had what seemed like a clear path for an easy two points. That's when everything went terribly wrong.
Allen botched a lay-up with no defender in a position to challenge, then had a shot blocked by Jeremy Lin, another shot blocked by Jordan Hill and a fourth and final miss that doesn't count as a shot attempt because teammate Kosta Koufos negated it with offensive interference on the rebound. Allen missed those four shots in a span of 11 seconds.
On the plus side, Allen padded his stats with three offensive rebounds.
Game day
Ohio Governor John Kasich said he's fine with Ohio State playing for the national football playoff title during inauguration events.
After a formal swearing-in at midnight Jan. 11, Kasich will appear at a ceremonial inauguration, public address and celebration on Jan. 12.
That evening, he'll host an inaugural ball at Columbus' downtown Hilton while Ohio State takes on the University of Oregon.
The governor, an Ohio State graduate, said in a tweet early Friday after Ohio State won the Sugar Bowl to advance to the championship that his gala "will be more of a game watching party. I don't mind."
Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is planning a low-key inaugural on game day. He's eschewing parties and will instead watch the game with a small group of family and friends at his official residence.
Sore losers
Florida State had won 29 games in a row before falling to Oregon in Thursday's Rose Bowl game. According to Seminoles linebacker Anthony Valdes, the one loss was one too many for some people to handle.
Valdes claims that people keyed some of the Florida State players' cars and slashed their tires after the game.
"People actually keyd our cars and slashed our tires," Valdes wrote on Twitter. "Smh go 29-0 but lose one game and people don't know how to act.
"Shout out to all the true respectful fans love Y'all."
SPORTS QUIZ
Tony Allen played his final two seasons of college basketball at this university.
SPORTS ANSWER
Oklahoma State
Sports on 01/04/2015