Ray had no legs tonight

[jluce]

Ray went absolutely nuts Sunday night after a game 1 in which he sat most of the night. He was certainly well rested for game 2 and he went absolutely bananas.

Ray had some great looks at the rim tonight...wide open shots that he usually drops in. But I noticed he didn't have his legs...I think it has to do with the fact that he shot the hell out of it the other night...only a day off in which he is traveling, and get this...not only does he run 55 miles a night coming off screen after screen, his job on defense is to guard Kobe f'n Bryant.

What we saw tonight was a 34 year old basketball player that had no legs. (I don't mean that as a shot to his age as he's in phenomenal shape, but it happens, even to 24 year olds)

Add on top of this that Pierce was in foul trouble and Ray was really starting to press w/o PP out there.

Here's hoping for a nice night of rest for Ray.

I see him bouncing back next game with a solid 17 point performance. The real key is keeping Pierce out of foul trouble, it affects the whole team obviously, including Ray. You won't see Ray pressing out there game 4 with Pierce out on the floor with him.

But again, I think tonight may have been a combination of his constant running off screens, while still having to guard Kobe, and PP out for extended periods, all this after a short day of rest and travel across the entire country. He had no legs.

Ray ray will bounce back.

[BigBaby]

he shot his wad for the series in game 2

[3ptAndOne]

Ray had some poor shooting games before, but this was probably the worst shooting game of his career. He had many good look from distance, but his shots were either short or off to the side. He also had some very makeable shots close to the basket that he usually makes, but he just rushes them or going up weak. He may be a tired with the huge minutes played and a short turnaround between games.
 
I know Ray isn’t a post player, but the Celtics should try posting him up a couple of times when he is guarded by Fisher. Many times during these games Ray had great post position. I think he can just catch the ball and turn around for an easy bank shot. He can’t just run off screen all game long and shoot jump shots when they are not falling.

[jluce]

Ray had some poor shooting games before, but this was probably the worst shooting game of his career. He had many good look from distance, but his shots were either short or off to the side. He also had some very makeable shots close to the basket that he usually makes, but he just rushes them or going up weak. He may be a tired with the huge minutes played and a short turnaround between games.
  
I know Ray isn’t a post player, but the Celtics should try posting him up a couple of times when he is guarded by Fisher. Many times during these games Ray had great post position. I think he can just catch the ball and turn around for an easy bank shot. He can’t just run off screen all game long and shoot jump shots when they are not falling.

Agreed. I'd also like to see him pump fake it time to time and shoot a mid range jumper or try to get to the basket. The thing is though Ray has such a quick release that I think he believes he can get off any shot he wants. And that hurt him tonight as some of his shots were too rushed as you mentioned and some of his shots were off line...He had a shot blocked by Gasol and I think one tipped by Artest. A pump fake would have worked great in those spots.

[LB3533]

Ray couldn't buy layups either.

He probably was tired and pressed after a few misses in a row.

[BirdLegend33]

Also remember Artest gave him a cheap shot and in the post game interview, he said that did effect him. We can't let them take out our guys. If it continues to happen, they need to go after Kobe or Gasol.

[Bankshot]

I'm actually surprised he had no legs, with his conditioning.  Maybe the quick turnaround hurt him.  He cost us the game though.

[Drucci]

Ray usually struggles shooting when he has 2 days or fewer or rest... hopefully he will be better for game 4 without the travel, but we can't afford to have him disappear like that in that crucial game.

[Bankshot]

Ray usually struggles shooting when he has 2 days or fewer or rest... hopefully he will be better for game 4 without the travel, but we can't afford to have him disappear like that in that crucial game.

If you know that, how come Doc doesn't?  Rondo kept feeding Ray when KG was the one that was hot.  And Doc kept Ray in the game even though Tony was playing really well.

[FLCeltsFan]

Ray took a very hard knee to the thigh early in the game from Ron Artest.  I said at the time I hope it doesn't affect his shot because he was trying to shake it off and was wincing for several minutes afterward.  That might have affected his lift.  I wouldn't be surprised if he had a bone bruise or just a nasty bruise there. I would blame that knee to the thigh

[jluce]

Ray usually struggles shooting when he has 2 days or fewer or rest... hopefully he will be better for game 4 without the travel, but we can't afford to have him disappear like that in that crucial game.

If you know that, how come Doc doesn't?  Rondo kept feeding Ray when KG was the one that was hot.  And Doc kept Ray in the game even though Tony was playing really well.

People keep saying this, it makes no sense to me. You need a shooter out on the court. And Pierce was in foul trouble so you keep Ray out there hoping that his shot turns around. Did you really want Rondo and Tony out there w/o Paul or Ray? I guess Nate could have been an option...but playing him and Rondo is leaving you even shorter on the defensive side.

The hope is that Ray starts making shots...he's a hall of fame shooter. As cold as he gets, Doc knows he can get hot at any time.

Doc has also said a million times that just having Ray and PP on the court opens up shots for the other guys b/c no matter how cold Ray and Pierce are you have to respect their shot and guard them.

[tenn_smoothie]

Ray Ray had to know from all his pre-game shooting that he didn't quite have the rested legs tonite - so, yes, he should have been smarter about launching all those shots on a nite when he just didn't have it.

[jluce]

Ray Ray had to know from all his pre-game shooting that he didn't quite have the rested legs tonite - so, yes, he should have been smarter about launching all those shots on a nite when he just didn't have it.

Give me a break. When you are Ray Allen and you have an open shot you take it. Losing confidence and passing up on open looks is not something players of Ray's caliber do.

This seems real simple guys. He had no legs, but shooters like Ray are still capable.

Here's the thing, you have to shoot to get hot, you have to shoot to stay hot.

[Lucky17]

Ray took a very hard knee to the thigh early in the game from Ron Artest.  I said at the time I hope it doesn't affect his shot because he was trying to shake it off and was wincing for several minutes afterward.  That might have affected his lift.  I wouldn't be surprised if he had a bone bruise or just a nasty bruise there. I would blame that knee to the thigh

This.

Hearing analysts gush about Derek Fisher's defense on Ray last night makes me laugh. Ray still got the same good looks he got in Game Two, the shots just weren't falling for him.

[Spicoli]

Ray is my favorite player all-time, but it wasn't just his shooting that was off, his entire game was off. The 2-on-1 fastbreak with him and KG against Fisher was just plain brutal. KG is 7 frickin feet tall. All Ray had to do was lob the ball in the air so KG could throw it down. Instead he tries to force it, and gets a charge. That was an inexcusable play when you have a 7 footer trailing you. I also noticed how Ray was sort of jogging through screens on some ocassions. Maybe in those instances he knew the ball wasn't coming to him so he didn't run full throttle? But still, it was kinda weird seeing him jog out there on some ocassions. Ray was pressing in the first quarter and never calmed down. I'm not sure what happened.