Could people please stop being apologists for Ray?

[colincb]

Every one is entitled to criticize Ray Allen all they want for whatever reason and I'm entitled to think most of the criticism is whining and way over the top.  If he sucked so bad as many of you claim, then why are you upset that he left?

Hey. I don't like Obama lots and lots. That doesn't mean if he renounces his citizenship and becomes leader of North Korea for less money I won't bash him.

So you'd bash Obama or Ray Allen if he stayed or left? 

[indeedproceed]

Ray Allen turned his back on the Celtics and their fans because...well we can only speculate, but mostly it's because he didn't want to be here anymore. I'm disappointed with that, and will likely be 'hurt' the first time he suits up for the Heat.

But he's a good guy, who left with class, and didn't leave a wake of nasty comments behind him, and didn't make a big show of it. He thought about it, reached a decision, and make it known.

I know we're fans and allowed a certain amount of irrational hystronics, I don't mind that.

But it's the personal speculation, and accusations of a egotistical overly emotional child (which it what it all amounts to) that annoy me. He didn't behave like that in Celtics green, and gave the community as much or more than anyone in the league. Objectively he's one of the good ones, and while I don't like his decision, I hate it even, I won't throw away all his goodwill to get in some cheap shots that have little grounding in reality, and I won't like it when others do it.

I don't think it's apologizing.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Great post.

This is another "it's not that he left, it's how he left" kind of thing.

Sure the Celtics tried to trade him but that's the management's job. The true consummate professional wouldn't whine about stuff like that.

He could've left for Miami all he wants. But to take out sour grapes on management, teammates, being benched and asking for more money and then taking a less money, still off the bench job on a rival team speaks to me that he took it personal, and maybe some fans thought as well, which is why they're more than upset.

[CantBeRight]

We have the right to trash him.

Who the hell in their right mind walks away from double the salary, more touches, great fans, and a great city to the RIVAL TEAM.

Ray Allen is a complete Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. living off reputation. He abandoned the fans, the organization, and above all his TEAM MATES and FRIENDS to go join more Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.s in south beach.

Im pretty sure every Celtic fan noticed how bad he was struggling(and don't give me that bone spurs bullshiet) in the postseason and in their heart knew Ray was done, he wasn't coming back, and the team is better off without him.

The people defending him are just nostalgic of 2008 and need to realize he is no longer a Celtic and betrayed you to go to the enemy. He is the enemy now.

 Profanity is not acceptable, even if the filter catches it.  Please don't do it again.

[Scottie]

Maybe he just went to where he thought he had the best possible chance of winning a championship.

We usually laud players who take less money to win.....not with Ray it seems. Yes, I know, it's not like we aren't a chance to win in Boston, but the smart money has got to be on Miami to repeat at this stage. So I don't hold it against him for leaving for less money if he thinks he's got a better shot at another ring. (Something that many here seem to be reluctant to concede).

The thing is, if he was so cheesed off and had an axe to grind with Boston, he could have easily stayed for the next three years for a lot more money than he is getting, mailed it in and stuck it to the organisation from within (not that I believe this to be in Ray's nature).

[Eja117]

Every one is entitled to criticize Ray Allen all they want for whatever reason and I'm entitled to think most of the criticism is whining and way over the top.  If he sucked so bad as many of you claim, then why are you upset that he left?

Hey. I don't like Obama lots and lots. That doesn't mean if he renounces his citizenship and becomes leader of North Korea for less money I won't bash him.

So you'd bash Obama or Ray Allen if he stayed or left? 

criticism where criticism is due, right?

[Interceptor]

But he's a good guy, who left with class, and didn't leave a wake of nasty comments behind him, and didn't make a big show of it. He thought about it, reached a decision, and make it known.

He is publicly a good guy. If it's wrong to suggest that he's tipped his hand or betrayed his true intentions by accepting 30 pieces of silver with a Player Option for 30 more next year, it's also wrong to assume that he's Captain America when people aren't looking.

I know we're fans and allowed a certain amount of irrational hystronics, I don't mind that.

But it's the personal speculation, and accusations of a egotistical overly emotional child (which it what it all amounts to) that annoy me. He didn't behave like that in Celtics green, and gave the community as much or more than anyone in the league. Objectively he's one of the good ones, and while I don't like his decision, I hate it even, I won't throw away all his goodwill to get in some cheap shots that have little grounding in reality, and I won't like it when others do it.

I don't think it's apologizing.

What I'd like to know, is why when something 1) looks like a duck, 2) walks like a duck, but 3) barks like a dog, we can't put two and two together and suppose that there's a ventriloquist behind the tree.

[indeedproceed]

But he's a good guy, who left with class, and didn't leave a wake of nasty comments behind him, and didn't make a big show of it. He thought about it, reached a decision, and make it known.

He is publicly a good guy. If it's wrong to suggest that he's tipped his hand or betrayed his true intentions by accepting 30 pieces of silver with a Player Option for 30 more next year, it's also wrong to assume that he's Captain America when people aren't looking.

No. I didn't say he's Captain America. I said he's a classy, professional, and considerate guy. Actions, words, testimonials from teammates, coaches..

In 2011, he won the NBA Cares award!

Ray Allen has been honored with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January. He’s being recognized for his outstanding efforts in support of U.S. soldiers overseas and his commitment to supporting community-based programs for local youth and families. For those of you familiar with Ray’s philanthropic bent it will come as no surprise that he is receiving this honor.

Here’s more from the NBA’s press release about the award:

    Allen tipped off the month by taking time to chat via video link to members of the 3rd Battalion 126 Aviation Regiment Unit currently stationed in Kuwait. Having come from a military family, Allen appreciates the sacrifices made by U.S. soldiers and spent the time thanking the men and women for their bravery and answering their questions. Later in the month Allen provided 20 tickets to active-duty military soldiers and their families through the Celtics Seats for Soldiers program. Prior to tip-off, Ray came out and met with 100 military soldiers and their families.

    Allen also took time in January to join Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick for Project 351, a day that was focused on Massachusetts’ commitment toward the next generation of leaders, role models, and learners. Each city and town in Massachusetts selected one eighth grader that spent a day of service joined by the governor and Ray Allen. Ray worked with eighth graders from across the state to pack apples and gift bags for the elderly. In addition, he spent time speaking to the youth and encouraging them to remain dedicated to their goals. Allen also filmed a PSA for Project 351 and purchased tickets for a Celtics game for the children and their mentors.

    “It’s crucial to support today’s youth because they are the next generation of leaders,” said Allen. “Building technology labs and just taking the time to speak with them goes a long way. I had a lot of people that helped me growing up and I want to do the same for our youth today.”

    In an effort to educate fans about some of the extraordinary African-American leaders, Allen also recently taped multiple vignettes in which he talked about Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Harriet Tubman, and W.E.B. Dubois, among others. The vignettes are airing in arena throughout February. In January, The Ray of Hope Foundation announced that it would create a new computer lab in a local Boston community center. Earlier this season, Allen participated in the creation of the Raytheon computer lab in a Boston school and saw the impact it had on the students.

    As an NBA Cares Community Assist Award recipient, Allen will receive the David Robinson Plaque with the inscription, “Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece.” In addition, the NBA will donate $5,000 to the charitable foundation of his choice.

    The league presents the NBA Cares Community Assist Award monthly throughout the season and once following each offseason to recognize players for their year-round charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players have for giving back to their communities.

And you're intimating that this is all a 'public face'?

I mean, literally where are you getting this?

I know we're fans and allowed a certain amount of irrational hystronics, I don't mind that.

But it's the personal speculation, and accusations of a egotistical overly emotional child (which it what it all amounts to) that annoy me. He didn't behave like that in Celtics green, and gave the community as much or more than anyone in the league. Objectively he's one of the good ones, and while I don't like his decision, I hate it even, I won't throw away all his goodwill to get in some cheap shots that have little grounding in reality, and I won't like it when others do it.

I don't think it's apologizing.

What I'd like to know, is why when something 1) looks like a duck, 2) walks like a duck, but 3) barks like a dog, we can't put two and two together and suppose that there's a ventriloquist behind the tree.

I think I disagree with you here, but your vague metaphor doesn't give me really anything to work with. Is the dog walking like a duck, or is the ventriloquist barking like a tree?

[Interceptor]

And you're intimating that this is all a 'public face'?

Are you asserting that it's not? Where is your hidden camera footage, wiretaps, and brain scans? Allen was only born 2,500mi and 22 years from John Edwards.

I think I disagree with you here, but your vague metaphor doesn't give me really anything to work with. Is the dog walking like a duck, or is the ventriloquist barking like a tree?

I'm not sure where I was going with it, but wanted to put it to words just in case it was genius. I think that there is no dog.

[indeedproceed]

And you're intimating that this is all a 'public face'?

Are you asserting that it's not? Where is your hidden camera footage, wiretaps, and brain scans? Allen was only born 2,500mi and 22 years from John Edwards.

Ha, yes. I'm asserting that Ray Allen is in fact a good guy, in private and in public. I'm basing that on the wealth of examples that are available to anyone with access to the google search engine.

I can't prove that in private he's also a good guy, anymore than I can prove that we all aren't part of some mescalin-induced fever dream Nicholas Cage is sleeping off somewhere in a cave in Mexico. You're either going to buy it based on the evidence available, or you're not.

[RyNye]

If a girlfriend broke up with you for a bum that treated her bad even though you treated her better would you say "Oh well. We had 5 good years. I don't mind. You did what you thought was best for you"?  Of course not.

Actually, yes, that is what you do, if you are a mature, well-adjusted adult. You have the right to be angry and sad, but all the trash-talking and parading is pointless and immature.

EDIT:

My point is this: freedom of speech works both ways. You have the right to complain, but I also have the right to call you out for complaining.

[Roy H.]

And you're intimating that this is all a 'public face'?

Are you asserting that it's not? Where is your hidden camera footage, wiretaps, and brain scans? Allen was only born 2,500mi and 22 years from John Edwards.

Ha, yes. I'm asserting that Ray Allen is in fact a good guy, in private and in public. I'm basing that on the wealth of examples that are available to anyone with access to the google search engine. 

Yeah, but what about that time he screwed the gym owner out of 8 workout sessions?

When NBA players complain about "having a target" on them in public, it doesn't always generate a lot of sympathy. But when a Celtics player is harassed for working out at a New England gym with a free pass, it makes you think about the unexpected difficulties of being a professional athlete. Ray Allen had an unsettling experience recently at WOW Fitness in Cromwell, Conn., according to the Hartford Courant. Allen, who usually goes through offseason workouts at his alma mater, the University of Connecticut, was given a guest pass to WOW Fitness a few weeks ago. When the pass expired, employees extended a courtesy and allowed Allen to continue working out for free, even though he offered to pay for a membership on several occasions. At one point, an employee even suggested that he could connect with the owner for a promotional deal to increase business at the gym. Although Allen never agreed to any deal, he thought it was a good idea because he has close ties to the community. But any thought of working with WOW Fitness ended when the owner of the facility, Lou Soteriou, confronted Allen after a workout. According to what Allen told the Courant, Soteriou was upset that Allen had used the gym about eight times without paying. "He said, 'Why don't you just buy a membership like everybody else? I have a business here to run. I don't give any free handouts. I have a business to run here,' " Allen told the Courant. "He was yelling at me like I was one of his kids or something, but once he said that, he walked out of the office, just walked away from me. I said, 'I'll never come in your gym again.' He was like, 'Don't come back.' " Soteriou should file his actions under, "Very bad business decision." Undoubtedly, any number of gyms around Connecticut would be happy to have Allen as a customer, especially if he brings along some of his new teammates from the Celtics.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2007/08/19/pivotal_season_for_center/?page=4

(One of those random stories that for whatever reason has stuck with me), probably just because it's so silly.

[Chris]

I have no idea what kind of guy Ray is in private.  And I don't are.  I will never judge someone based on their decision of what they think is best for themselves and their family, when it comes to pro sports.  Everyone has their reasons. If he felt it was the rigth move for him, then great.  I hope we knock them out of the playoffs.

[angryguy77]

Every one is entitled to criticize Ray Allen all they want for whatever reason and I'm entitled to think most of the criticism is whining and way over the top.  If he sucked so bad as many of you claim, then why are you upset that he left?

Hey. I don't like Obama lots and lots. That doesn't mean if he renounces his citizenship and becomes leader of North Korea for less money I won't bash him.

He would fit in better over there

[Eja117]

If a girlfriend broke up with you for a bum that treated her bad even though you treated her better would you say "Oh well. We had 5 good years. I don't mind. You did what you thought was best for you"?  Of course not.

Actually, yes, that is what you do, if you are a mature, well-adjusted adult. You have the right to be angry and sad, but all the trash-talking and parading is pointless and immature.

EDIT:

My point is this: freedom of speech works both ways. You have the right to complain, but I also have the right to call you out for complaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8ZosnRqVcg