Allen's previous coach would have taken a different approach.
"There are times when players are going into stuff, and it just happens," said the Celtics' Doc Rivers, who coached Allen from 2004-10. "I tell them to play cards and enjoy it. They're grown men. At some point, if they get into a fight over a card game, then that's silly, and then you have to do something about it."
Word out of Memphis is that Allen and Mayo became increasingly antagonistic because Mayo owed Allen money from a card game, "Boo-Ray," and wasn't cooperative about settling his debt. Mayo berated Allen in front of his teammates, and Allen attacked him.
It's an upsetting story, and it's certainly not one isolated incident — it was also a game of "Boo-Ray" that led to Gilbert Arenas' gun incident last season. Gambling in the NBA is a pervasive issue, and it's one that's done a number on the chemistry of several teams in recent years.
But that doesn't mean a team-wide ban is the answer.
"They're grown men," Rivers said. "If you cancel the card game on the plane and they really want to play, then they'll just play in their rooms. I'm not going to babysit adults."
Rivers has it right.
At a certain point, people have to be trusted to make decisions for themselves. All of these athletes — Allen, Arenas or anyone else — are over 18 years old and have multimillion-dollar contracts. They make their own big-boy money and should be allowed to make their own big-boy life choices.
The gambling itself isn't the problem — the violence is. Murder is bad, but adults can still own guns. Obesity is bad, but adults can still eat whatever they choose. Ke$ha is downright terrible, but adults are allowed to have their own musical tastes.
If you try to nip a problem in the bud, you can go too far. It's a delicate balance, but this is America, and grown adults deserve their freedoms.
Tony Allen left the Celtics because he was overshadowed, but now he's found a new situation that's overbearing. Which is worse?
If Allen had stayed in Boston, he'd have gotten the treatment he deserves.
Did Lionel Hollins make the right decision in banning gambling on plane trips? Share your thoughts below.
