Despite the NBA having turned into an offense-first league, there's never a lack of a few big-time lockdown defenders that are bound to give scorers nightmares when they approach their town.

One of the clearest examples is Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen, who has become a living omen for many of the greatest offensively-gifted players in the league.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype surveyed a few current and former NBA players and asked them “which defender did they hate to see across from them?”

Allen was one that repeatedly popped in answers from these players, being one of the ones noted in six of the 14 players polled.

Tony Allen [is tough] when he plays against me,” said Washington Wizards point guard John Wall.

“He’s strong and quick. He has good anticipation and active, quick hands,” nine-year veteran Anthony Parker noted of Allen.

“Tony Allen, Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant were the toughest,” said 11-year pro Dorell Wright. “It’s funny, I was recently talking to my wife about match-ups and who gave me a hard time. Even she was like, ‘Man, that Tony Allen though! He would guard you so good. I’d be thinking, ‘Babe can’t do nothing out there on him!’ (laughs) So yeah, T.A. for sure. He was ferocious. Tony, Ron and Kobe were the best… They were really aggressive; they’d get into you, they’d turn you and direct you where they wanted you to go.”

At 6'4″, Allen has taken on everyone from point guards to power forwards, making use of his underrated strength and wits to make the most of any situation.

If the words from these former players haven't convinced enough, maybe his accolades will as he's made one of the two All-NBA Defensive Teams in six of the last seven seasons —- a model of consistency for the Cerberus-like lockdown defender.