After an injury-marred 2008-09 season, Tony Allen is on the mend.
The Celtics' backup point guard, who played in just 46 games last season, is recovering from offseason ankle surgery but will be limited in practice until he is at 100 percent, according to Boston.com.
Although Allen was on the practice court on Wednesday, head coach Doc Rivers is proceeding with caution as the regular season approaches, and Allen understands that he has no choice but to get healthy if he hopes to make any kind of impact this year.
"My foot is alright, it's cool," Allen told Boston.com. "It's day-to-day, I feel. Some days are better than others. All I have to work on right now is my confidence. I have to get healthy, man, that's all I am focused on. I ain't focused on nothing else. I ain't focused on nothing but that and what I can do to help the team. That's all I am focused on right now."
Boston acquired Marquis Daniels to fill the void left by the injured Allen, and when the time comes, Allen may have to battle him for minutes. And if that's the case, Allen is ready to help the team in any way he can.
"If I gotta sit up here and pass out Gatorade and towels to get another championship, that's what I will do," he said. "There are guys on our team that don't have rings like Shelden Williams and Marquis Daniels and that's what we need to do. Focus on getting another championship. If I say anything different it will blow up. I am willing to do anything it takes to get the title."
And how will Allen know when he's at 100 percent again?
"Whenever I dunk on Kendrick Perkins," he said. "If I can catch him on a lob or something, then I know I am back to 100 percent."
