Ray Allen ankle swelling up - should he sit until the playoffs?

[byennie]

There is a very good explanation for Ray's comment.

Ray is a notorious creature of habit, almost to the point (and maybe to the point) of having OCD. You can find many, many articles about this but here is one:

http://digg.com/newsbar/topnews/Ray_Allen_s_OCD_pre_game_Rituals

What Ray is saying, in a pretty polite way I think, is that for someone like him it is very difficult to adjust to a whole new routine with 11 games left in the year.

He's a creature of habit and is expressing concern about how a new role will affect him. That's it.

This. Ray is a highly respected player, who is articulate enough to be honest about this stuff. He's no Allen Iverson, Big Baby, LeBron, etc who put their feet in their collective mouths all the time. Ray can express some honest feelings on the matter, still be a consummate professional AND give 100% on the court. I think he's earned that kind of confidence over the last 2 decades.

His ankles are a real concern, and we need a healthy Ray in the playoffs. It's not like his shoulder suddenly starting hurting, and then switched sides.

[Celtics4ever]

He should sit until he is well or we need him.  Ideally until he is well though.

[Tai]

There's nothing wrong with his ankle.  He'd just rather sit than come off the bench

I don't think I have heard this anywhere else do you have a source?

I know your feelings on this topic because I remebered your post from another thread,

Ray and it's not even close.  He's completely useless to us with the second unit

I don't think Ray has been useless on the second unit, infact I think quite the opposite, but if you can provide a source that Ray isnt hurt and is infact unwilling to play off the bench I would really like to hear/read it.

I never said he is unwilling - he has been willing.  I just said he doesn't want to do it and I do believe his is milking his injury because of it.

"I don't think it can happen for me to ultimately be comfortable with these 11 or so games we have left because none of us are getting into routines as far as settling in and what are roles are, getting practice time, understanding rotations and chemistry," Allen said prior to the Celtics 103-79 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in which he scored 10 points in 28 minutes off the bench. "You just adapt the best way you can."

“I think my challenge is to be able to compete at a high level every year coming into the season and that means competing for a starting job every opportunity I get,” he said before last night’s game against the 76ers at TD Garden. “That’s my focus. That’s my goal.  If I felt as though I wasn’t playing up to that level, and those standards, then I think there’s going to be a point where I’d have to say it’s time for me to move on.”


Certainly doesn't sound like a guy who is eager to get the next game going or optimistic in any kind of way

AGAIN. We have no idea what you are basing your opinions on. It is fine if that is your opinion; however, when you are implying 1) that Ray Allen is not hurt, 2) that Ray Allen has a problem coming off the bench you need to back that up with some reasonable evidence. Ray has a history of ankle problems and takes an unbelievabl enumber of jump shots as part of his regular warmups. If you don't think that takes its a toll I don't know what to say. The guy has very bad ankles and you can see it in how he moves and how in how much trouble he has making his cuts, etc. We are talking about Ray Allen. Not some pampered whiner like BBD.

lol i just posted the words from his mouth that he has a problem with coming off the bench.  He just said "I don't ever want to come off the bench"  How could that be more obvious?

He also said that part of the problem was that he wasn't sure he'd ultimately be comfortable with 11 games left in the season, and that he'd have to adapt best he could. I think that's a fair concern from Ray. I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that Ray is suddenly dogging it just from these quotes.

[Senninsage]

Personally, I'd like to see him play, if at all possible, a little bit more before playoffs. Don't exactly want his last official game prior to the playoffs to have been the Miami Heat game on Tuesday.

However, they should be sure to take all the necessary precautions with his ankle. I just hope it isn't more serious than what is being let on.

[Finkelskyhook]

let him rest until the end of the regular season.

[lightspeed5]

now he's out again. like is aid, rest him until playoffs.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Well...gonna either do it now or do it later...his healing powers are great,...but he isn't 30 anymore.....