Grayson Allen Has Lost a Step

What has happened to Grayson Allen?

I recently wrote a column about Grayson Allen’s ability to trip players. The Duke guard tripped two opponents in ACC play. He was even reprimanded for it. It was his thing.

Now, it appears that Grayson Allen has lost a step.

In Wednesday afternoon’s ACC Tournament game against NC State, Allen attempted to break out his patented move. But, he clearly did not get all of it. Cat Barber avoided the trip and pushed the ball up the court. Allen had to act.

Grayson Allen reached out and grabbed Barber. The move earned Allen a flagrant foul. It’s hard to notice a trip. It’s pretty easy to spot it when you wrap a player up.

ESPN has several angles if you need to break it all down.

Earlier in the season, one may have argued that Grayson Allen was the best tripper in the game. While his trip of Louisville’s Raymond Spalding was pretty basic, that move on Florida State’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes was pure art. It was the incredibly difficult “no-look” trip.

On Wednesday, Allen had Barber right where he wanted him. But, if you watch closely, you will notice that he takes his eyes off of the target.

Mike Krzyzewski. (Photo by Todd Melet)

Arrogance.

Grayson Allen needs to learn that you can’t do that in March. When you play dirty, you have to play dirty with purpose. Lucky for him, he was playing NC State.

Watch that Laettner stomp.

Laettner could have showboated and looked at the crowd as he stomped down on a prone player. But, he understands the fundamentals. Laettner looks down to make sure he’s on the mark. That’s why he’s one of the greatest Blue Devils of all time.

Wednesday’s non-trip by Allen is why he will never break out of Ted Cruz’s shadow. Of course, he is coached by one of the greats. You have to assume that Laettner tape was cued up in the Duke locker room before the game was even over.

Grayson Allen Has Lost a Step

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