lets cut Ray allen some slack

[apc]

is Ray Allen no more than Edie House at this point?
(with more clutch)

[CelticSooner]

I really hope people aren't blaming Ray for the loss tonight. You want to blame something, blame this team's inability to rebound.

[jpd985]

I really hope people aren't blaming Ray for the loss tonight. You want to blame something, blame this team's inability to rebound.

I don't see people blaming Ray (rightfully so) but instead blaming the horrid rebounding and free throw shooting,

[Senninsage]

The Ray hate is lazy IMO.

It's easy to blame him.  Reality is, Ray Allen is a very valuable piece of this team.

Once that three point shot went up late, well we all knew it was going it.

I like Bradley and I love what he's been doing lately, but it's only a matter of time before defenses start paying more attention to him. People have been sticking to Ray like white on RIce for over a decade, and well, look at his numbers.

The thing is, if you play bad early game, a huge shot or two late game Isn't often enough to make up for it. Sometimes your buzzer beater mightve tied the game but if you played better at the start you wouldntve needed it anyway.

That's a very unfair criticism of Ray, because a lot happened tonight on both ends of the court that were not directly his fault. If Ray's shot had won us the game, would people be saying what they are saying now? i don't think so. I really don't. Ray's ability to hit big, late game pressure shots against any opponent isn't something you can simply teach. The Celtics were also only down by 3 points in that first quarter when Ray Allen left the game, and you can argue that dropping the ball towards the end of that first quarter is what contributed greatly to this loss. A loss that is not directly attributable to Ray Allen is being blamed too much on Ray. If Ray doesn't do what he did late in this one, the Celtics don't even stand a chance at winning it.

[RajonRondo9Dime]

The Ray hate is lazy IMO.

It's easy to blame him.  Reality is, Ray Allen is a very valuable piece of this team.

Once that three point shot went up late, well we all knew it was going it.

I like Bradley and I love what he's been doing lately, but it's only a matter of time before defenses start paying more attention to him. People have been sticking to Ray like white on RIce for over a decade, and well, look at his numbers.

The thing is, if you play bad early game, a huge shot or two late game Isn't often enough to make up for it. Sometimes your buzzer beater mightve tied the game but if you played better at the start you wouldntve needed it anyway.

Man this fan base always needs a scapegoat, eh?

So we can single out a few bad plays early by Ray as to why we lost..

What about rest of the game? What about the missed free throws? allowing offensive rebounds? Terrible TOs late....? Those single plays don't matter, but Ray's do?

LAZY, LAZY, LAZY.

Well we are 11-4 in games that Pietrus doesn't play, so I'm gonna start flooding the boards with anti Pietrus rhetoric as well.

[jdz101]

but the guy has just come back from an ankle injury after missing the most games of his career in boston.

I'll cut him slack and agree with you for now. However using injuries as an excuse for poor play doesn't really fly. Doc doesn't play guys unless they're 100%. We should all know this by now. Ray had an ankle sprain, not a serious injury.

However you can definitely excuse him for not being in game rhythm and knocking off the rust in his first game back. Tomorrow, no excuses.

[cman88]

Ray rarely has 2 bad games in a row...I expect him to have a solid game tomorrow night

[RJ87]

I def think Ray is a valuable piece of this team, but tonight only strengthened my belief that he should come off of the bench.

The defensive intensity we've been seeing over this stretch wasn't there to start the game and we found ourselves in a hole. Bradley brings a defensive dimension and energy that Ray just doesn't at this point. Does that take away from what Ray brings to the table? Absolutely not. No reason why AB can't start the game with his defense and energy, while Ray gets the minutes in the 4th qtr because of ability to hit big, clutch shots.

[syfy9]

I like players who play great defense.

[xmuscularghandix]

Ray Allen isn't a bad player, no one is saying that. But there are things that he is not good at... some of those things are pivotal to winning games and getting off to quick starts.

Ray Allen is a 6'6" Eddie House with a 99 Clutch Rating. Use him that way. Let the young guys run around, do their thing, and play the bulk of the minutes.

There comes a time where you have to take a step back. It'd be easier on everybody if Ray went to Doc privately and volunteered his starting job to AB. Sam Mitchell did it for the rookie Kevin Garnett...

[LooseCannon]

is Ray Allen no more than Edie House at this point?
(with more clutch)

Do you want to see Ray Allen as a combo guard off the bench playing some time at the point?

[clover]

I def think Ray is a valuable piece of this team, but tonight only strengthened my belief that he should come off of the bench.

The defensive intensity we've been seeing over this stretch wasn't there to start the game and we found ourselves in a hole. Bradley brings a defensive dimension and energy that Ray just doesn't at this point. Does that take away from what Ray brings to the table? Absolutely not. No reason why AB can't start the game with his defense and energy, while Ray gets the minutes in the 4th qtr because of ability to hit big, clutch shots.

Agreed.

[Eeyore III]

I'm not blaming Ray for anything.  He's had a great career and he always gives it his all.

However, Ray Allen 2012 = James Posey 2008.  I would NOT keep Ray after this season.  Time to turn the page.

[scaryjerry]

I think we are all in agreement Ray is a great guy, a good player and someone we all like and  is still valuable......but its borderline ridiculous he hasnt gone to doc himself and asked to try coming off the bench...the spurs for example bringing Manu Ginobli off the bench works great and hes been as vital to them over the years as anyone.
we all think Ray is selfless but idk I remember all the bickering Rip Hamilton, fellow Uconn shooter throwing hissys and refusing to come off the bench in the past few years and if ray is saying he would be willing to come off the bench...then stop talking and do it

[green7]

Ray rarely has 2 bad games in a row...I expect him to have a solid game tomorrow night

off a back to back? you wish