#rookie-experience

#rookie-experience

"I was definitely hyped," Allen told ESPN. "I had Paul Pierce in my ear telling me, 'Get ready! You stick me every day [in practice]. You should be ready. Let's go! That's Kobe Bryant!'" The No. 25 pick in the 2004 draft was trying to soak everything in and get himself in the right frame of mind for the 54th game of his young NBA career.

Marleau noted, "Usually, when guys came in, they were put on the fourth line, third line. You kind of pay your dues a little bit. But the game's changed..."