Peter Vecsey: The Celtics turned their back on Clifford Ray

[Roy H.]

Roy, as the c's blog in house legal counsel, if Ray was unsatisfied with the terms of this settlement couldn't he have sued under OSHA and/or negligence (as there is a history of foot injuries)?

This isn't my area of expertise, but Ray have been required to file a workers' compensation claim.  I *think* that in order to be able to sue, Ray would have to prove the Celtics actions were reckless or intentional, rather than merely negligent.  Ray could have argued that the Celtics knowingly exposed him to hazardous conditions, although it's tough to say how strong that argument would have been.

If Ray had won a workers' compensation case, it's my understanding that his benefits would have been capped around $1100 per week, plus medical benefits, for up to three years.  By giving him $100,000 up front, the Celtics basically gave him 2 years of benefits, plus he retains the right to find new employment.

[GranTur]

This is a load of exaggerated BS created by a Celtics HATER. Please ignore this garbage!

[Celtics4ever]

When I saw Vecsey, I had to laugh.  He isn't a journalist but a rumor monger, one might as well get sports from the National Inquirer.  Another one that creates the news instead of reporting it.

They got rid of him and gave him a severence package that is hardly turning their back on him.

[RAcker]

I don't think I'd call a guy a charity case if he almost lost his foot due to something that happened to him on the job....

Well, what would you call him in that situation?  I mean, isn't that the definition of a charity case, giving money to somebody who can't earn it because you feel badly for their current situation?

It sucks that Ray isn't here anymore, and that he's having some foot issues, but in the NBA you have to perform physically, even as a coach.  If he couldn't do so, I can't blame the Celtics for letting him go. 

I agree completely.  It's unfortunate, but it's just part of the job description and it sounds like Danny and Doc just could not justify keeping him on with the very limited amount he could do going forward.

It's sad, but it's reality.  Vecsey should shut his hole.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Vecsey has nothing else to write about, and since the Knicks are playing well why not beat on an Atlantic division rival when they're up?

This article just makes Vecsey look foolish IMO. No interview/quotes from Clifford Ray and nothing from Doc or Danny (both of whom I'm certain would comment on the situation if asked).

I agree with the first responder....if Cliff couldn't do his job then we can't hang onto him as a charity case. Furthermore, 100k as a lump sum would provide more than "a year or so" worth of living expenses for Cliff and his family. He's also been earning a salary for the last 25 years, hasn't he?

The thing that surprises me the most is how Cliff is not part of the Comcast network of analysts/employees.

[footey]

Isn't vescey a celtics hater?

yea vescey is a moron who makes up his own trade rumors and is always wrong. He doesn't sound like he knows "the real reason" at all, he just doesn't like Boston.

Doc has never been known to be anything other than a class act by almost everyone around the NBA .

Pete Vecsey is an equal opportunity hater, not just a Celtic hater. He has written plenty of pro-Celtic stuff over the years. I know, because I have been reading him since the early 80's.

[317]

this would have never gone down like this if Red was still alive. even if Cliff cant do physical coaching any more he can still do film work, both of our guys and the opposition. even if we didn't have a spot for him we should have found something for him somewhere else.

[Chief]

I always liked Clifford Ray and Pete is obviously extrapolating to create a story but, I do think it's important that an NBA assistant coach be able to walk. 

Baby plays like a SF due to size.  Although I guess you could say Clifford helped him learn to use his body and rim to get  his shot off although I suspect BBD has had to do that his whole life. 

Perkins isn't a very good low post player.

Who are the other bigs Clifford was instrumental in helping?

Cliff is the one that made Perkins into the defensive beast in the paint he is today. Not enough? Look at Glen Davis and his game. Davis was taught foot work and positioning by Clifford Ray and that is why despite being under sized, he can hold his own in the middle at both ends of the floor. Even guys like ex Celtics Leon Powe and Al Jefferson credit Ray with helping their games immensely. If Ray had not worked with Jefferson, maybe KG is not in Boston right now. Even the great Dwight Howard was once a disciple of Ray during Ray’s tenure in Orlando. Credit Robert Parrish as well as a drinker of the Ray Kool Aid. When they were teammates in Golden State, Ray worked him hard.

http://www.bostoncelticsreport.com/2010/09/boston-celtics-clifford-ray-may-be-leaving-his-mark-on-the-team-will-stay.html/

[Who]

I always liked Clifford Ray and Pete is obviously extrapolating to create a story but, I do think it's important that an NBA assistant coach be able to walk. 

Baby plays like a SF due to size.  Although I guess you could say Clifford helped him learn to use his body and rim to get  his shot off although I suspect BBD has had to do that his whole life. 

Perkins isn't a very good low post player.

Who are the other bigs Clifford was instrumental in helping?

Cliff is the one that made Perkins into the defensive beast in the paint he is today. Not enough? Look at Glen Davis and his game. Davis was taught foot work and positioning by Clifford Ray and that is why despite being under sized, he can hold his own in the middle at both ends of the floor. Even guys like ex Celtics Leon Powe and Al Jefferson credit Ray with helping their games immensely. If Ray had not worked with Jefferson, maybe KG is not in Boston right now. Even the great Dwight Howard was once a disciple of Ray during Ray’s tenure in Orlando. Credit Robert Parrish as well as a drinker of the Ray Kool Aid. When they were teammates in Golden State, Ray worked him hard.

http://www.bostoncelticsreport.com/2010/09/boston-celtics-clifford-ray-may-be-leaving-his-mark-on-the-team-will-stay.html/

PJ Brown in New Jersey too

You can see Cliff Ray's imprint on all of them. Their footwork / positioning defensively and the economy of their movement. It's amazing to see an assistant coach have such a strong impact in developing so many players.

[Chris]

I gotta give Vescey credit on this.  At least he didn't go after an easy target like Wojo always does. 

I think this article is a bit over the top, and I think its pandering a bit...however, at least he is putting his neck out there a little with his attack columns. 

As for Clifford Ray, I supposed I feel a little bad for him...but that's life.  It sounds like he got a nice severance package.  Clearly he was at the bottom of the food chain of Celtics coaches, and his contract wasn't renewed.  He had every right in the world to go and seek other employment this summer, but he chose to wait it out.  Personally, I think it was a little naive on his part to not seek other employment when he was not given a new deal early in the summer. 

[jimmehx]

Edit: redundant post. My mistake.

I think Vescey is overstating the deviousness of the Cs here. The 100k to "just leave quietly" was just a severance package.

I still feel really badly for Ray and I hope he can get further compensation for the foot infection he sustained on the job which made him unable to work. He should be entitled.

[Fafnir]

I always liked Clifford Ray and Pete is obviously extrapolating to create a story but, I do think it's important that an NBA assistant coach be able to walk. 

Baby plays like a SF due to size.  Although I guess you could say Clifford helped him learn to use his body and rim to get  his shot off although I suspect BBD has had to do that his whole life. 

Perkins isn't a very good low post player.

Who are the other bigs Clifford was instrumental in helping?

Cliff is the one that made Perkins into the defensive beast in the paint he is today. Not enough? Look at Glen Davis and his game. Davis was taught foot work and positioning by Clifford Ray and that is why despite being under sized, he can hold his own in the middle at both ends of the floor. Even guys like ex Celtics Leon Powe and Al Jefferson credit Ray with helping their games immensely. If Ray had not worked with Jefferson, maybe KG is not in Boston right now. Even the great Dwight Howard was once a disciple of Ray during Ray’s tenure in Orlando. Credit Robert Parrish as well as a drinker of the Ray Kool Aid. When they were teammates in Golden State, Ray worked him hard.

http://www.bostoncelticsreport.com/2010/09/boston-celtics-clifford-ray-may-be-leaving-his-mark-on-the-team-will-stay.html/

PJ Brown in New Jersey too

You can see Cliff Ray's imprint on all of them. Their footwork / positioning defensively and the economy of their movement. It's amazing to see an assistant coach have such a strong impact in developing so many players.

Yeah,, he was a very good coach. Sucks that he ended up leaving.

[xmuscularghandix]

yup

not to mention the sport situation with all vets on the team now

Exactly, with Perk as one of the leagues best defensive big men, Ray's tutelage isn't really necessary anymore.

Shaq and J.O. don't need a big men coach. and Semih has Shaq, J.O., KG, and Perk as a 4 headed big man coach...

You can't just keep him here to be nice, sorry about the foot, but you can't have a guy on staff that isn't necessary.

[birdwatcher]

Vecsey writes in NY--he's probably one of the morons who wants to pay Jeter $20 mil a year out of "loyalty". Business is business guys--not always fair. And hey, I'm glad to have Lawrence Frank as our lead assistant, and if he was promised a coaching spot for one of his guys then great--I wouldn't have turned him away because I felt bad for Clifford Ray, sorry...

[gar]

I think we all felt odd about it at the time. Nice to know he was given some compensation for his untimely dismissal. I guess the real question is whether he should rightly have had other recourse due to the foot issue; however this is not clear. Glad to know the details; but hard to see anything underhanded about it. Would like to have seen him get more for his contribution; but don't know what other benefits he got.