Ex-Penn star Allen talks about living life NBA-style

Allen said it was strange to compete against former Penn backcourt mate Matt Maloney, now the starting point guard of the Houston Rockets. The Pacers were in town last week to play the Philadelphia 76ers, and Allen dropped by the Palestra to catch the Quakers' exhibition game against the USDBL All-Stars. The 1995 Penn graduate also took time to speak with Daily Pennsylvanian sports writer Srikanth Reddy about his unique career. The Daily Pennsylvanian: How is life in the NBA? Jerome Allen: I can't complain. I'm working hard, trying to make the best of my opportunity. DP: Has Pacers coach Larry Brown said anything to you about how far your career can go? JA: No. All I can do is ask for an opportunity. That's really about it. DP: Are you expecting to play more now that [Indiana point guard] Haywoode Workman is injured? JA: I've been playing. Even when he was in, I was playing. But I think now it's time to pick up, go out and play and do what I've been doing. DP: What was it like playing against [former Penn teammate and current Houston Rocket] Matt Maloney? JA: We just sat around and talked, reminisced, laughing and joking. It felt funny to play him, but we went out and played hard. DP: Were you ever in a one-on-one situation with him? JA: A little bit. That was a little weird, but we both got the job done. DP: What happened to [former Penn swingman] Ira Bowman in Pacers camp? JA: Ira played well. He did the best he could. It was a numbers game. He kind of came up short, but he did the best job he could possibly do. DP: This current Penn team is completely different from your teams, even though it's only two years removed. JA: They've got some new faces, but it's pretty much the same coaching staff, and I know they're doing the same job that they were doing when we were there. DP: Has Penn coach Fran Dunphy been keeping track of you in the pros? JA: Yeah. He told me he just got DSS [a satellite television sports package]. He started taping games of Matt and I.