Ray Allen's yearly slump

[Megatron]

Ray usually goes through long stretches every year where he cant throw it in the ocean, I dont think we should be worried about him.

Better for him to go through this slump now then during the playoffs like 08' in my opinion.

[Rondo_is_better]

Hasn't been his fault -- Rondo's passive play and lack of ball distribution early in the game have messed with Ray's rhythm. He needs to get good shots up early in the game in order to be effective.

[Marcus13]

Ray's game doesn't change...he is just heavily dependent on Rondo who hasn't been doing his job

[BballTim]

  It's not always Rondo. Ray hasn't been generating enough separation from his man to turn and shoot when he gets the ball.

[Cman]

Ray's game doesn't change...he is just heavily dependent on Rondo who hasn't been doing his job

I don't know... I think he does go through slumps.  As the oP mentioned, recall the '08 playoffs, particularly against Atlanta as I recall, where he just disappeared.

[Prof. Clutch]

It's usually when his legs get tired.  Hopefully he can get a little bit of rest in the last few games before the playoffs (if there's no chance we'll catch Chicago that is.)

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't think Ray Allen is a shooting slump. I think the team has gone away from him and it has affected his game. His shot is looking good. Given, some nights it's off, but I think his shooting is there.

As for Rondo, of course the crap he was playing until recently affected Ray. One of the key aspects is that Rondo is often missing Ray in transition, or waits too long to give him the ball. Not always a bad play, but when concerning Ray it affects his game.

But Rondo is not solely to blame here. Doc is to blame, Davis is to blame, etc.

[Marcus13]

I don't think Ray Allen is a shooting slump. I think the team has gone away from him and it has affected his game. His shot is looking good. Given, some nights it's off, but I think his shooting is there.

As for Rondo, of course the crap he was playing until recently affected Ray. One of the key aspects is that Rondo is often missing Ray in transition, or waits too long to give him the ball. Not always a bad play, but when concerning Ray it affects his game.

But Rondo is not solely to blame here. Doc is to blame, Davis is to blame, etc.

TP.

Im not saying he doesn't go through Hot/Cold streaks, he definitely does.  But when Ray is on a cold streak, he is more dependent on his teammates to get him going then most players are.

[SHAQATTACK]

not worried about RAY , he was checked pretty good last night in the first half.  They were focusing on him with some pretty good athletic younger guys.  

Ray is taking it easy a bit , saving his body for the playoffs to , the older guys know how to coast to the playoffs. Kg and PP let it all hang out last night though, and won't have any fuel for tonights stupid game.

Rays cool...He'll go balls to wall during playoff.

[Donoghus]

Part of it has been the way the offense has been run lately and part of it can probably be chalked up to Ray being a shooter.  Most shooters have a tendency to get streaky at times.  Then there's always the factor of good defense.

So basically, I don't think its any reason for real alarm.

[heyvik]

actually...I am really worried. If you notice, the less he shoots, the closer the games are between us and the opponents. I think that the team has gone away from Ray and that is frustrating. I remember seeing many teams fighting through the pics and getting an arm in the passing lanes which has caused tentativeness from the passer (Rondo/West). When he does get good looks Ray doesn't go right up with it, he continues the curl and dribbles too much into the lane and forces up a shot on the run - Which is NOT his game. He's gotta keep running off the pics and going right up with it....anybody agree??

If we don't get him started early, that's a good sign for our opponent and an important key to winning Banner 18.

[Marcus13]

actually...I am really worried. If you notice, the less he shoots, the closer the games are between us and the opponents. I think that the team has gone away from Ray and that is frustrating. I remember seeing many teams fighting through the pics and getting an arm in the passing lanes which has caused tentativeness from the passer (Rondo/West). When he does get good looks Ray doesn't go right up with it, he continues the curl and dribbles too much into the lane and forces up a shot on the run - Which is NOT his game. He's gotta keep running off the pics and going right up with it....anybody agree??

If we don't get him started early, that's a good sign for our opponent and an important key to winning Banner 18.

Yeah, I don't think Ray is the issue...it's how we've been missing.  One aspect of the trade that hasn't been talked about is how it has hurt Ray's game.  Perkins played a major role in setting good screens to get him open. 

Even last night he only missed one shot...but only took six.  That's on Doc and the guys to make sure the guy shooting that well is getting looks.

[heyvik]

I have to disagree with you. Until last night, Ray would come off screens and continue curling. He's gotten out of his procedure in which he would go right up and shoot. the Picker, has to do a better job of setting a solid screen. One which Ray's defender can't stick an arm in the passing lane or forced to go around the Picker. If that's the case then the Picker, should roll to the basket for pass in while in motion.

Its in Ray's head! He needs to do a better job at going right up, who knows he may just get fouled. Ray's not being aggressive enough and is getting frustrated easily.

[clover]

Your right.  Ray goes through terrible slumps, like in the first and second rounds of the playoffs his first year with the team.

He takes himself more seriously than any other player on this team (and probably many other teams as well), and so he never steps up and takes blame.  He portrays it as his being a blamed victim, which means he blames his coaches and/or teammates instead.

But such is probably part of the personality quirk of his OCDism, which makes him as good a player as he is.  So the team puts up with it (though Doc obviously doesn't play into it), he eventually comes out of it, and all is well.

[European NBA fan]

I have to disagree with you. Until last night, Ray would come off screens and continue curling. He's gotten out of his procedure in which he would go right up and shoot. the Picker, has to do a better job of setting a solid screen. One which Ray's defender can't stick an arm in the passing lane or forced to go around the Picker. If that's the case then the Picker, should roll to the basket for pass in while in motion.

Its in Ray's head! He needs to do a better job at going right up, who knows he may just get fouled. Ray's not being aggressive enough and is getting frustrated easily.

I think this is what Ray was talking about last week, when he said he didn't feel comfortable. If the offense isn't clicking with screens (both timing and precision), he loses a bit of confidence and agressiveness in his shot, and he has to force it.

Last night he really looked like he enjoyed playing for the first time in a while. That was to me a very good sign.