This team CANNOT WIN a championship without Ray Allen

[droopdog7]

Some people are posting as though having Ray would make use worse.  Or that having Ray wouldn't make us any better.  Both of these are out and out wrong. 

As many have stated, the mere presence of Ray Allen opens up the offense for everyone else, especially PP.  And while he probably can't do it consistently, Ray is still a player than can go off and win a game like PP did yesterday.  Having another option in addition to PP is a good luxery to have.

Take a look at Pietrus.  While I admire his his defense and his grit, Pietrus doesn't provide anywhere near the spark offensively as Ray can. 

Here is the bottom.  I am guessing the majority of folks don't believe the Celts can win a title with or without Ray.  We certainly are not among the favorites.  Having Ray defintely gives us a better chance so I am not really sure what all the arguing is about?  But yeah, without a healthy Ray, I think this teams chances a pretty close to zero.

[LB3533]

Anyone know how to get in touch with Ray or Danny Ainge? I'd like to offer some help with his ankle issues.

[Kane3387]

I say let him rest. We can beat Atlanta without him. This should not go past six games and we should honestly win in five. I don't think we need him to beat Philly either. We would need him against Chicago though but they looked like they quit last night.

[Kuberski33]

I say let him rest. We can beat Atlanta without him. This should not go past six games and we should honestly win in five. I don't think we need him to beat Philly either. We would need him against Chicago though but they looked like they quit last night.

Problem is I don't think rest is the issue.  Sounds like he won't play again till he's had surgery.

[droopdog7]

I say let him rest. We can beat Atlanta without him. This should not go past six games and we should honestly win in five. I don't think we need him to beat Philly either. We would need him against Chicago though but they looked like they quit last night.

Problem is I don't think rest is the issue.  Sounds like he won't play again till he's had surgery.

Not to mention that you'd like to get him in game shape and reintegrate him into the offense.

[colincb]

Just so we are all on the same page, Ray has been just about lights out in one playoff series every year he's been here.

But he has also, absolutely sucked in one series every year except last year as well.

In 2008 against Cleveland: 9.2 PPG, 32.8% FG% 16.7% 3PT%

In 2009 against Orlando: 13.1 PPG, 34.4% FG%, 19.0 3PT%, 2.1 TOPG

In 2010 against LA: 14.6 PPG, 36.7% FG%, 29.3% 3PT%
But in order to attain these bad numbers he had one outstanding game. Take that game away and his numbers fall to
11.6 PPG, 31.4% FG%, 13.3% 3PT%

When on in the playoffs Ray is amazing but in order to be on he needs to be healthy and right now he isn't. Get well Ray and hopefully come back and help.

But I still think even if he doesn't play another game this year, the C's can win it all. There's no way this team keeps shooting as poorly as they have from three.

Just so we're on the same page. we've had 12 playoff series in the last 4 years and you've come up with two bad ones and cherry-picked another to make a third.  Fine. So in  9 of 12 playoff series or 75% you feel that Ray showed up?  Or are you in the camp that Rays never done squat like thestackshow and a very few others.

Nope. I love Ray. You guys were just making all sorts of nonfactual generalizations about his playoff performances and I thought it might be a good idea to straighten out the facts.

Without Ray there is no #17 or the run in 2010. He's been amazing.

Not me. I always try to research my stats in detail before I post.  I don't trust my own eyes, never mind some one who doesn't have a single stat in their posts when they crap all over a player. Ray's not my binkie and he's 4th best player in the team as far as I'm concerned (maybe 5th when I get convinced to my satisfaction that AB is real and not just on a hot streak offensively), but there have been a lot of nonsense as to Ray not having shown up in the playoffs and making other claims that are factually wrong.

I'm not including you, but I'm sick of the disrespect to a guy who has been critical to our success and who is a HOF lock.

[nickagneta]

Oh I understand colincb. Ray should deserve all Celtics fans deep and abiding respect. other than the series I listed, Ray has been a monster for this team in the playoffs.

Last year during the two playoff series the guy had a true shooting percentage of 71%. Let me repeat that 71%. He average 19 PPG on 12 shots. That's unreal.

Also, for all those that remember that Chicago series in 2009, they all seem to remember Rondo's averaging a near triple double. people forget Ray's 51, 30, 28 and 23 point games in that series or shooting 47% from three for the series.

Ann let's not forget what he meant to the C's in the Finals in 2008. 53% from 3, 20 PPG. LA had no answer for him and had to eventually get Ron Artest to stop Ray because Kobe was needed to stop Rondo.

Sadly, a hurt Ray isn't the guy that performs at that level. And he's hurt and that saddens me because I think if healthy he would really help this team. But I still think they can win without him.

[The Walker Wiggle]

From Frank Dell'Apa at the Boston Globe:

“Our spacing is horrendous. Clearly, without Ray, they’re using both guards to just sit in the paint. And we have to do a better job of creating space. It’s tough when you have two guards they’re just not guarding. And that makes the difference for Kevin.’’

“We just need a scorer. We need to space the floor. They’re killing us with their help. They’ve just decided that without Ray on the floor, we’re going to swarm everyone and you’re going to have to find someone, and it’s hard.’’

So some fans tried to tell me that Bradley could shoot well enough to replace Ray, but in practice it's not working out that way. And the Hawks are regrettably the worst defensive team we'll be facing until the Finals. Having a pair of guards that opposing backcourts can sag off is going to be a problem.

Get well soon Ray.

Rivers jokingly said Allen’s absence could increase his contract value. “Ray should renegotiate,’’ said the coach.