Why Ray Allen is amazing.

[celticsclay]

I know a lot of us are feeling down after last nights game, especially with how it ended and Pierce's poor play. However, I wanted to point out something I haven't seen discussed a whole lot on here aside from the game threads. Ray Allen looks completely rejuvinated. This probably will get some heat cause of the fact he only took 3 shots last night, but overall Ray Allen has been shooting amazingly since the all star break. In fact his numbers for the year are up to 46.5% from the field and 16 points a game. This is pretty crazy for being the third scoring option on a team and a guard. Ill admit his 3p % is still a little low at 35%, but this is at least partly attributed to pressing really heavy before the all star break when he shot about 30% for the month. So far in March he is at a 45% clip. Finally this month he has had a couple of nice slams, which is always a good touch on Rays game.

Additionally, this is a bounce back a lot of us were not sure he had. Ray is about to turn 35. I love Ray and will continue to root for him in his resurgence.

[FatjohnReturns]

I love Ray. Really glad we didnt trade him.

[Who]

I don't think Ray has improved. I think he's just having a hot shooting streak and that once it ends we'll be left with the same player as before.

[CelticG1]

I don't think Ray has improved. I think he's just having a hot shooting streak and that once it ends we'll be left with the same player as before.

I think he is just shooting better more like last year. It's not like he is shooting at an incredible clip. I think his best shooting percentages of his career were last year. Since he has been starting to shoot better he looks more normal to me. It's not really a big surprise to me and I don't think it looks like a "hot" streak. He definitely goes through relative hot and cold streaks but I don't think anything that drastic. It's also better for him to be playing great this part of the year rather than the first half

[Who]

I don't think Ray has improved. I think he's just having a hot shooting streak and that once it ends we'll be left with the same player as before.

I think he is just shooting better more like last year. It's not like he is shooting at an incredible clip. I think his best shooting percentages of his career were last year. Since he has been starting to shoot better he looks more normal to me. It's not really a big surprise to me and I don't think it looks like a "hot" streak. He definitely goes through relative hot and cold streaks but I don't think anything that drastic. It's also better for him to be playing great this part of the year rather than the first half

Ray Allen has a TS% of 67% since the All-Star break -- that is unsustainable.

I would be optimistic about his improved performance if he was showing (1) an improved ability to create his own shot (2) better defense (3) more playmaking ability (4) more rebounding.

None of those things are happening. Ray is just shooting the ball at a much better clip and he's not going to be able to keep it up.

[ScoobyDoo]

TP, I love Ray as well. He's a lunch pale guy with his approach, total class and professionalism. You could make an argument that at 35 and of the big three, he has played the ebst all season. I'd then put KG in there and then Pierce.

Perhpas Ray is a Reggie Miller. He may prove to be that NBA anomaly, wherein he can play at a realtively consistent level for another 2-3 years at the off guard spot ( even if in a role off the bench).

That is a rarity for off guards.

It wouldn't suprise me to see Ray averaging 12-15 a game, with some bigger nights mixed in, for the next 2-3 years in whatever role he plsys.

[Greenbean]

I don't think Ray has improved. I think he's just having a hot shooting streak and that once it ends we'll be left with the same player as before.

I think he is just shooting better more like last year. It's not like he is shooting at an incredible clip. I think his best shooting percentages of his career were last year. Since he has been starting to shoot better he looks more normal to me. It's not really a big surprise to me and I don't think it looks like a "hot" streak. He definitely goes through relative hot and cold streaks but I don't think anything that drastic. It's also better for him to be playing great this part of the year rather than the first half

Ray Allen has a TS% of 67% since the All-Star break -- that is unsustainable.

I would be optimistic about his improved performance if he was showing (1) an improved ability to create his own shot (2) better defense (3) more playmaking ability (4) more rebounding.

None of those things are happening. Ray is just shooting the ball at a much better clip and he's not going to be able to keep it up.

You are right about everything you said. I just think that is what we have gotten from Ray from day one. In this offense he is not asked to create his own shot really. It is also just natural for a shooter to get extremely hot and then level off.

To me Ray Allen today is the same guy we got 2.5 years ago. I still love what he brings and the spacing he provides the offense, whether he is hot or not.

Let's just hope he can sustain a hot streak sometime in late may and early June.

Edit: Unless by "same player as before" you mean the guy that shot 40% from the field and 25% from 3 for the month before the all star break, then I dont agree with you.

[LB3533]

When Ray is shooting lights out, sure he's "amazing", but when he shooting like Antoine Walker....not so "amazing".

[CelticG1]

I don't think Ray has improved. I think he's just having a hot shooting streak and that once it ends we'll be left with the same player as before.

I think he is just shooting better more like last year. It's not like he is shooting at an incredible clip. I think his best shooting percentages of his career were last year. Since he has been starting to shoot better he looks more normal to me. It's not really a big surprise to me and I don't think it looks like a "hot" streak. He definitely goes through relative hot and cold streaks but I don't think anything that drastic. It's also better for him to be playing great this part of the year rather than the first half

Ray Allen has a TS% of 67% since the All-Star break -- that is unsustainable.

I would be optimistic about his improved performance if he was showing (1) an improved ability to create his own shot (2) better defense (3) more playmaking ability (4) more rebounding.

None of those things are happening. Ray is just shooting the ball at a much better clip and he's not going to be able to keep it up.

Yeah but I would be shocked if he ended doing a flip flop and going back to shooting terribly as he did earlier in the year like you are suggesting.

When has Ray been spectacular at any of the 4 things you are suggesting? He has been pretty consistent with us since the day he started playing with us. If you don't think he is that good a player that is one thing but I don't think his defense is declining or his rebounding either. I just don't think he those were his strengths to begin with.

[xmuscularghandix]

Ray Allen will be huge this year in the playoffs. He's basically 20pts, 4reb, and 4ast. With percentages of .450 from the field, .406 from beyond the arc, and .900 from the line. This is also over 77 games... Ray is a legend.

[mmbaby]

We need Ray. One of our few scorers now. Sure glad he wasn't traded.