Ray Allen

[GreenFaith1819]

Seeing how Bird, Parish, and McHale declined and Ainge's comments on how the Celtics should have traded the latter two seems to have made some people overly paranoid about having aging stars on the team who aren't in the category of life-long Celtics who you can't bear to see in another uniform (Bird, Pierce).  Ray Allen has the skill set where he might be a quality NBA starter for more than just 2-3 years more. 

Ideally, the Celtics would like to wring value out of those 2-3 years when he is very likely going to be near All-Star level and then trade his name value and last few years for draft picks or younger players.

Instead, what the Celtics need to think about is configuring their bench to fit the flaws of Allen's skill sets.  As the worst defender in the starting lineup, Allen is going to be one focus of offensive schemes.  It wouldn't be a bad idea for the Celtics to have a one-way defensive stopper who might play in the place of RA at the end of close games with a small lead (but you would keep Ray out there when trailing because you want his offense), someone who you might swap with Ray Allen on offense and defense when there are a lot of time outs and fouls and other stoppages in play in the last minutes of a tight game. 

The Celtics wanted Tony Allen to be that guy, but he wasn't.  It doesn't have to be some Posey-like super-sub who can soak up a lot of minutes at multiple positions.  It might be a better allocation of resources to find the SG equivalent of Sheldon Williams for the minimum.

I believe Tony Allen can still be that guy for Boston, the perimeter defender who can spell Ray Allen (and Pierce sometimes).

Tony Allen's biggest flaws are his health (can't do anything about that) and he doesn't hit threes well. But he can get to the bucket as a slasher and make free throws.

He doesn't defend the Kobes or Lebrons well, but who does?

I believe Boston has all tools they need to win title 18. They just need all players healthy at right time.

[xmuscularghandix]

Seeing how Bird, Parish, and McHale declined and Ainge's comments on how the Celtics should have traded the latter two seems to have made some people overly paranoid about having aging stars on the team who aren't in the category of life-long Celtics who you can't bear to see in another uniform (Bird, Pierce).  Ray Allen has the skill set where he might be a quality NBA starter for more than just 2-3 years more. 

Ideally, the Celtics would like to wring value out of those 2-3 years when he is very likely going to be near All-Star level and then trade his name value and last few years for draft picks or younger players.

Instead, what the Celtics need to think about is configuring their bench to fit the flaws of Allen's skill sets.  As the worst defender in the starting lineup, Allen is going to be one focus of offensive schemes.  It wouldn't be a bad idea for the Celtics to have a one-way defensive stopper who might play in the place of RA at the end of close games with a small lead (but you would keep Ray out there when trailing because you want his offense), someone who you might swap with Ray Allen on offense and defense when there are a lot of time outs and fouls and other stoppages in play in the last minutes of a tight game. 

The Celtics wanted Tony Allen to be that guy, but he wasn't.  It doesn't have to be some Posey-like super-sub who can soak up a lot of minutes at multiple positions.  It might be a better allocation of resources to find the SG equivalent of Sheldon Williams for the minimum.

Marquis Daniels is a very good defender. Thats what he is.

[CelticG1]

If Ray Allen finishes this year as a Celtic than he will probably remain a Celtic for the remainder of his career. He seems to love Boston and the Wellesley Country Club way too much to leave. No but seriously I think he wants to stay here to finish out his career. Unless the Celtics embarrass him with a low ball contract I think they will come to an agreement that is fair on both sides. I wouldn't be surprised either if he took a 2 year contract and after that is up, him staying for the vet min after that or something along those lines. Basically my gut is just telling me these things. He seems to be such a good fit for our team and for the city that I can't see him leaving by choice

[Bahku]

I don't think it's Ray's last year as a starter ... I think he's got at least 2 or 3 good years left in him and is enough of a threat to deserve a starting place on this team, (and most others, if he got traded). I hope the C's will honor him enough to retire him here, though in today's "money-first" league, that probably won't happen.

[guava_wrench]

I think Ray has more than this year left...

Unless he goes to another team text year. In that case, I don't think he has more than this year left.

[Fafnir]

Seeing how Bird, Parish, and McHale declined and Ainge's comments on how the Celtics should have traded the latter two seems to have made some people overly paranoid about having aging stars on the team who aren't in the category of life-long Celtics who you can't bear to see in another uniform (Bird, Pierce).  Ray Allen has the skill set where he might be a quality NBA starter for more than just 2-3 years more. 

Ideally, the Celtics would like to wring value out of those 2-3 years when he is very likely going to be near All-Star level and then trade his name value and last few years for draft picks or younger players.

Instead, what the Celtics need to think about is configuring their bench to fit the flaws of Allen's skill sets.  As the worst defender in the starting lineup, Allen is going to be one focus of offensive schemes.  It wouldn't be a bad idea for the Celtics to have a one-way defensive stopper who might play in the place of RA at the end of close games with a small lead (but you would keep Ray out there when trailing because you want his offense), someone who you might swap with Ray Allen on offense and defense when there are a lot of time outs and fouls and other stoppages in play in the last minutes of a tight game. 

The Celtics wanted Tony Allen to be that guy, but he wasn't.  It doesn't have to be some Posey-like super-sub who can soak up a lot of minutes at multiple positions.  It might be a better allocation of resources to find the SG equivalent of Sheldon Williams for the minimum.

Marquis Daniels is a very good defender. Thats what he is.

He's solid, but nothing special. Tony is actually a better "defender" but unfortunately his lack of discipline means we could never really on him.

[wdleehi]

Seeing how Bird, Parish, and McHale declined and Ainge's comments on how the Celtics should have traded the latter two seems to have made some people overly paranoid about having aging stars on the team who aren't in the category of life-long Celtics who you can't bear to see in another uniform (Bird, Pierce).  Ray Allen has the skill set where he might be a quality NBA starter for more than just 2-3 years more. 

Ideally, the Celtics would like to wring value out of those 2-3 years when he is very likely going to be near All-Star level and then trade his name value and last few years for draft picks or younger players.

Instead, what the Celtics need to think about is configuring their bench to fit the flaws of Allen's skill sets.  As the worst defender in the starting lineup, Allen is going to be one focus of offensive schemes.  It wouldn't be a bad idea for the Celtics to have a one-way defensive stopper who might play in the place of RA at the end of close games with a small lead (but you would keep Ray out there when trailing because you want his offense), someone who you might swap with Ray Allen on offense and defense when there are a lot of time outs and fouls and other stoppages in play in the last minutes of a tight game. 

The Celtics wanted Tony Allen to be that guy, but he wasn't.  It doesn't have to be some Posey-like super-sub who can soak up a lot of minutes at multiple positions.  It might be a better allocation of resources to find the SG equivalent of Sheldon Williams for the minimum.

I believe Tony Allen can still be that guy for Boston, the perimeter defender who can spell Ray Allen (and Pierce sometimes).

Tony Allen's biggest flaws are his health (can't do anything about that) and he doesn't hit threes well. But he can get to the bucket as a slasher and make free throws.

He doesn't defend the Kobes or Lebrons well, but who does?

I believe Boston has all tools they need to win title 18. They just need all players healthy at right time.

TA's biggest flaw is his inconsistancy, turnovers, boneheaded plays and be productive off the bench.


But he can be a lotto team superstar.  Like Wallace on the Bobcats.