First-year player Tony Allen, who recently was inserted into Boston's starting lineup, is chosen to play in the rookie game during the NBA's All-Star weekend.

01:00 AM EST on Friday, January 28, 2005

BY CAROLYN THORNTON
Journal Sports Writer

Doc Rivers knows that giving a young player like Tony Allen extensive playing time means he is going to have to put up with occasional mental lapses and bouts of inconsistency.

But the Celtics coach also knows there can be an extremely positive side to giving him more minutes.

When Rivers looks at the progress the rookie has made just 42 games into his NBA career, he sees a bright future ahead not only for the 6-foot-4 guard, but for the Boston Celtics.

"I'm ecstatic about our young guys," said Rivers, also referring to the recent play of rookie Al Jefferson and second-year

players Kendrick Perkins and Marcus Banks. "I think they've been amazing. . . . So in that aspect, I couldn't be happier as a coach because you look at where we want to go in the future, and we have some guys that I think are going to be part of our core. And I like that a lot."

Vowing to increase Allen's role, Rivers made good on his promise this week beginning with last Saturday's game at Atlanta when he replaced Jiri Welsch with Allen in the starting rotation.

Allen, who turned 23 earlier this month, has remained on Boston's front line ever since, and through three games has averaged 12 points on 71.4-percent shooting from the field, as well as 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1 steal in 22 minutes.

"I just think Tony Allen was a better fit," Rivers said of his decision to start Allen. "We needed one guy in our starting lineup that was a stopper. I think Tony Allen is probably our best defensive player at the one, two and three positions. I think he gives us great energy. I think he has the ability to make unbelievable plays with his athleticism. He's able to rebound. He's physical, and I think he's a better fit.

"I thought that about a month ago, if you want me to be honest," Rivers added. "I was waiting for him just to be a little bit more consistent. Once I felt he got there, I put him in the starting lineup."

Rivers isn't the only one who has been impressed by Allen. The Celtics announced yesterday that he has been selected by the league's assistant coaches to play in the 2005 got milk? Rookie Challenge on Feb. 18 during All-Star weekend at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

"I am honored to be considered one of the top rookies this season," said Allen. "This is a great start to my career, and I know I have a lot more to accomplish."

While he acknowledges that he still needs to work on his outside shot and his ballhandling skills, Allen feels he has shown the greatest improvement in his focus.

In the past, he says that was one area he never gave much thought to, as he was always able to bail himself out of tough situations thanks to his natural gifted ability. Now that he is in the NBA, he realizes he can't afford to lose his concentration.

"There were times when I knew I could have played harder or made a better decision and was not really worried about the situation that was at hand," said Allen, who was named the 2004 Big 12 Player of the Year in his final season at Oklahoma State. "Once it got real critical, I would probably pick up the intensity. I learned at this level that you've got to keep that intensity up all the time."

Besides, he added: "I got tired of the veteran guys and the coaches always telling me to focus."

Even before Allen, the 25th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, earned a starting position, he was productive off the bench for Boston, averaging 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.3 minutes overall this season.

The Chicago native has consistently ranked among the top rookies in the league in a number of categories. He is fifth in free-throw percentage (75 percent), sixth in field-goal percentage (48.2), tied for ninth with Orlando's Dwight Howard in steals (.83) and 13th in points per game.

"Every rookie wants to come in and play big minutes," said Allen. "I was fortunate enough to get that start and be able to show my coach I can play.

"But I know it can easily be taken away," he added. "I've just got to stay hardworking, humble and within the system. I just want to take each day and grow from it."