I'm tired of the anti Ray talk. I'm tired of the unrealistic expectations of a 21 year old kid.
Ray Allen's impact on this team is huge. Forget the LARGE number of huge shots he has hit over these past 5 years (and it's a very large number) the spacing, playing decoy, ect. ect. ect.
We need him. It literally bothers me to hear the negative talk about him. He has done nothing but help this franchise win. Even playing incredible defense in the playoffs over the years.
If Ray was playing tonight, we win, IMO. We didn't hit a single 3 pointer tonight. Bradley is going to be a fine player, but this stage is just flat out too big for him right now..
Walter Ray Allen, please get well soon.
Ray Allen didnt show up at all in the 2008 series vs the Hawks, and has historically not shown up in the playoffs except for a few games in his Celtic career.
I dont get why you think Ray will all of the sudden be some huge scorer for the entire playoffs, he is a streak shooter, its a coin flip if hes going to have it for a series, and judging by how neither KG or PP had it for the first half, I wouldnt expect Ray after missing all this time to have it either.
In 2008, Ray averaged 16 PPG 40% from three.
In 2009, Ray averaged 18 PPG and 35% from three. Also had that 51 point game, and the game winner over Noah against Chi.
In 2010 Ray averaged 16 PPG and 39% from three. Oh, and a finals record for threes in a game.
In 2011 Ray averaged 19 PPG and 57% from three. Also had a game winner against the Knicks.
This is a very basic outline and I'm missing a lot more important details, like defense, other big games, big shots, ect ect.....
But I think this absolutely destroys your theory that he "historically doesn't show up for playoff games, except for a couple."
Like mentioned in this thread, the room for error for this team is so very small. Without Ray? Might as well forfeit.