Ray walking a true blessing in disguise

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ray's offensive game was a bad match for our offense...not because he was bad, but because he killed the clock and didn't let rondo attack as much. lee isn't the same kind of player, though he can shoot nearly as well as ray. and...he plays much better defense. in the same way that avery bradley was much better for our team than ray allen as the starting 2, courtney lee is also going to be much better for the team than ray allen. ray will probably put up great numbers in miami this year, but he no longer fit our team well.

[Roy H.]

I don't think Lee is better than Ray, even when factoring in defense.  However, he is younger, and should be an excellent fit on the team.

[Jon]

Let's not get carried away.  Ray is still the best shooter in the NBA and we did have to give up something for Lee rather than retaining Ray for nothing. 

[greg_kite]

I have to agree with the OP that it's a blessing.  We get Lee at a reasonable price and avoid an unreasonable contract for Ray.

$6 million for Ray for this year might be OK, but in two years paying a 40 year old $6 mil during rebuilding would be too much.  Instead we have a 26 year old who will be a key piece of a young nucleus on a very reasonable contract.

[ManUp]

Ray Allen is still better than Courtney Lee. So let's stop the Courtney is better nonsense. I do however agree that Ray leaving will end up a blessing in disguise. Doc will have one less guy to force feeds shots and Rondo one less former allstar to keep happy. I expect better ball movement and smarter rotations. No more "he's 1-10, but those are his shots" nights or "Pietrus is playing better, but he's RAY ALLEN" at the end of games.

I guess you're still bitter about Ray's departure. So I'm I, but I have to be realistic at some point about, Ray. Overall of course, Ray Allen would be considered better, because he's a hall of famer and nothing will change that. But at this stage, Lee is a better player, because he can do more than, Ray.

Ray Allen at this stage of his career is just a up shooter that comes off screen. He can't defend, jump or rebound. Ray can no longer slash, beat off the dribble, create shots and etc. 
 

I'm not bitter at all. I exaggerated a bit with the 1-10 thing, but I just feel like some games Ray clearly didn't have it and still got to put up shots. I do realize the same thing happens with Pierce, but we're better off having less guys Doc allows to do this.

[WeMadeIt17]

I won't say Courtney is better but he is much better at defense, and that will go a long way. Ray is the better shooter but as far a D goes I would rather get stops on the other end.

[KGs Knee]

I'd say, if for nothing else, it's addition by subtraction.

Doc will no longer be beholden to this "ideal" of the HOF'er that was once Ray Allen.  Doc has a hard time with hurting the pride of his vets, even if it is sometimes to the detriment of the team.

We now have far more line-up/match-up options sans Ray.  Terry/Lee/Bradley/Green give us roster flexibility few teams possess.  Doc will play whoever has the hot hand that night, or provides us with the best match-ups.  This wasn't always the case with Ray around.

[Clench123]

Seriously people?  I can't believe people are still overrating Ray's talent at this point in his career.  Up until not too long ago, Ray was an amazing basketball player and I'll always respect one of the best guard this league has ever seen in Ray Allen but how people can truely say he IS better than the young athletic and versatile Lee, especially after the atrocious performance we saw from Ray last season, is totally beyond me.

Ray leaving was truely a blessing.  We're young, athletic, and deep.  Things we haven't been in a long time.  I truely believe this is our year.

Best riddance to Ray

[MBunge]

Seriously people?  I can't believe people are still overrating Ray's talent at this point in his career. 

It somewhat depends on how he recovers from the bone spurs.  Ray might still be better than Lee next season, but there's also a cliff out there that Ray as a player could drop off at any time.

But I agree with others than Lee will allow the Celtics offense to change in a positive way that wouldn't happen with Ray here.  Also, while it may be hard to quantify, youth and athleticsm has its rewards.  Older players just get physically overwhelmed by younger guys who crank up their intensity for these short bursts.

Mike

[rayallen1934]

Seriously people?  I can't believe people are still overrating Ray's talent at this point in his career.  Up until not too long ago, Ray was an amazing basketball player and I'll always respect one of the best guard this league has ever seen in Ray Allen but how people can truely say he IS better than the young athletic and versatile Lee, especially after the atrocious performance we saw from Ray last season, is totally beyond me.

Ray leaving was truely a blessing.  We're young, athletic, and deep.  Things we haven't been in a long time.  I truely believe this is our year.

Best riddance to Ray

when was he attrocious?

When he got injured. Or do you like to rewrite history so it can be an advantage to your Homerism?

[slamtheking]

I was on the fence about bringing Ray back but I'm very pleased with how things turned out.  For the first time since 2008, I'm not worried about Ray potentially breaking down at some point in the season.  C's have a very solid 4-man backcourt rotation -- I'd say probably as good as any in the league.  Lakers and Miami are about the only teams in that discussion.

[Rtpas11]

If Ray stays we probably dont get Lee.

We are now younger and better.

Love it.

Love Ray but Terry, Lee, & possibly Delfino is far better.... Woot woot!!!!