Video: Tony Allen Slaps Camera, Not Camerman — Then Apologizes

Grizzlies off-guard, Tony Allen, can’t shoot the rock beyond maybe 15 feet and even that’s pushing it. He’s also sort of crazy, just follow his Twitter account. But he’s probably one of the toughest players in the league — over 25 percent of GM’s named him the toughest player in the NBA in their latest annual survey — and we love the way he plays defense and competes every night. That said, he became frustrated last night and slapped a court-side camera.

First, lets show you the slap, which came after Trick or Treat Tony was whistled for fouling Omer Asik:

He purportedly apologized on the court and on Twitter afterwards, and the cameraman, Bo Bradley, holds no ill-will:

While the camerman might be cool with it, and it looked like Tony just whacked the lens of the camera, which in turn hit Bradley, we’re guessing the NBA takes a long, hard look at the replay to see what went down. They’ll likely assess a fine, but the fact Bradley is OK, and cool with Tony, and Allen apologized on the court, has to count for something.

Cameramen get hit all the time in their spot under the basketball stanchion, but this time Tony wasn’t anywhere near Bradley and just slapped the camera in frustration. No excuse, but there’s no ill-will from the cameraman, so we hope Tony escapes a more severe punishment, like a suspension.

Also, this happened during the game, which is another reason to love Tony Allen — even when he’s slapping your camera.

(video via G4NBAVideos)

Will Tony Allen get fined?

Follow Spencer on Twitter at @SpencerTyrel.

Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.

Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.