Why Are We Assuming that Ray Allen Won't Start?

[BballTim]

First and foremost, if this is a question of Ray staying and starting or Ray leaving, this discussion should end now.  We're talking about the first 5-6 minutes of the game.  After that, Doc can adjust his rotations however he sees fit.  

Second of all, I think the perceived change that Bradley brought to the starting unit was only partly his doing.

Don't get me wrong.  I like Bradley and I like him a lot.  I think he has star potential.  

However, at the time he was breaking into the starting unit, other things began to happen that had nothing to do with Bradley.  

First and foremost, KG started to turn it around and have his own personal renaissance.  Second, PP finally got his butt into shape after the lockout.  

On top of this, when Ray came back, he was Ray with bone spurs, making Bradley look even better.  That should change next year.  

Might the Celtics be better with Bradley starting?  Sure.  But I don't think this nearly as dramatic of an issue as people are making it out to be.  I also think Bradley and Green could make an incredible 6th man duo off the bench, coming in midway through the 1st and bringing a huge boost of injury to run with Rondo the rest of the quarter.  

And after that, who started and who came off the bench is really inconsequential.  

  I kind of disagree for one reason.

 With Ray Allen starting we rarely get easy baskets.  When Bradley starts we do.

  With the advancing age of the three guys this offense was built around and their inability to carry us offensively night in and night out like they could a few years ago, we need those easy baskets, every one of them.  We need to get into the open court and/or into early offense.  We need to get to lose balls.  We do all of those things better as a starting unit with Bradley in place of Ray IMO.

But you're missing my point.  My point isn't that Ray's a better starter, it's simply that if offering Ray a starting spot gets him back in green, do it.  

The starting 5 really only plays together for the beginning of the game and often the end of the game.  In between there's all sorts of combinations going on that both Ray and Bradley were part of.  

Furthermore, even after Ray lost his starting spot last year, he often finished games instead of Bradley.  So if the starting 5 was so much better with Bradley, why did Doc go with Ray at the end of games?

Again, my point isn't that one is better than another, my point is that who starts and who comes off the bench is largely overrated.  What's important is that Ray comes back.  And if it takes offering him the starting spot to do it, so be it.  

  I think you are missing the point.

  If Ray only wants to come back if he is guaranteed a starting spot but the team is better with Bradley starting then BYE-BYE Ray Allen.  If Ray were 32 rather then almost 37 this wouldn't even be a discussion but he isn't.  Other then hitting spot up jumpers Ray doesn't bring a whole lot to the table anymore.  His defense has declined a whole lot.  He cannot create his own shot or shots for others and his handle is pretty bad making him a turnover waiting to happen if you run him off of his spot.  He has struggled to get open at times as well which ends up wasting valuable seconds off of the shot clock while Rondo waits to see if he can get open.

  The bottom line is what is best for the Celtic's is miles more important then what is best for Ray Allen

What is best for the Celtics is Ray Allen on this team.

If it takes offering him the starting job, they should do it.

They can still play Bradley more minutes.


Again, I am not trying to argue that Ray Allen should start. I am simply saying that if this is a choice of Ray starting or Ray leaving, let him start.  Just because Ray starts doesn't mean Bradley can't play more minutes.

And if Ray is making no such demands, then I am open to whatever Doc thinks is best.

  You may have addressed this earlier, but what if Ray's really playing poorly, or Bradley's really playing great? Do you still start Ray because that's what you promised? What does it do for the team's chemistry when a player gets to start because their agent negotiated it in the offseason? It will never end well.

[BleedGreen1989]

Yea promising roles to non-star players never ends up well

[Vermont Green]

This debate will not ever be settled so we can all claim we were right.

I think Ray was going to start but if in fact he wasn't even going to be able to beat out Avery Bradley for a starting spot, I am even less concerned about Ray leaving.  Jason Terry is a fine 6th man if that is all we are replacing.

I also think that we can play Pierce at 2 with Jeff Green at 3 in many situations and if you add KG at 4 and say Steisma at 5, that is a very big unit and I like big way better than small.

Bon Voyage Ray.  Thanks for all the clutch shots.  It was a great run.  We will miss your Mom too (I wonder if she will still root for the Celtics).

And please don't compare this to Damon going to the Yankees.  Comparing the Heat rivalry to the Yankees rivalry is giving the Heat way too much credit.

[thirstyboots18]

And please don't compare this to Damon going to the Yankees.  Comparing the Heat rivalry to the Yankees rivalry is giving the Heat way too much credit.

TP