The media's coverage of Ray's injury

[the TRUTH]

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here, but it's extremely frustrating how the media that covers this team is completely in the dark when it comes to key injuries (KG, Shaq and now Ray). Ray was supposed to be fine weeks ago, and then it's just passed off as no big deal that he still isn't back when we need him most. If you rewind 2-3 weeks ago, there was no indication whatsoever that he wouldn't be available for the playoffs. And now, we still have no idea when he'll actually play. Are we going to be strung along from game to game? Is he out for the duration of playoffs? Unfortunately, after the coverage we got of the KG and Shaq injuries, nothing would surprise me at this point.

[clover]

Actually I didn't see or hear it directly, but I read here weeks ago that Jackie M. had said it sounded like he was going to need surgery.

[TheReaLPuba]

Ray at best would be good for 10-15 min a game and he'd really only be a spot up shooter IMO.

I think if he has to have surgery he should just have it.

If he does play he'll just be a liability on defense.

He can't cut or plant his foot he's basically playing on one leg.

[the TRUTH]

Actually I didn't see or hear it directly, but I read here weeks ago that Jackie M. had said it sounded like he was going to need surgery.

I'm with you there, but it was still expected that he'd be ready to play come playoff time, and would have surgery after the season.

[Chris]

I find it interesting that no one in the media will breach the idea that perhaps Ray could be putting himself above the team a bit.

This is a guy who was nearly traded for the second year in a row.  He then lost his starting job because of an injury.  And then he shut it down for an injury that he already has played through the pain of.

He also is going to be a free agent this summer, and it is likely that he will both be moving on, and likely looking for the last contract of his career.

Is it that far out of the realm of possibility that he just said "you guys haven't been loyal to me this year, so I am no longer playing through pain for you"?

If this were nearly any other player in the league, this story would have already been written, and fans would be all over him.  But because of Ray's public persona, and how well liked he is by the media, no one will go near it.

[the TRUTH]

I find it interesting that no one in the media will breach the idea that perhaps Ray could be putting himself above the team a bit.

This is a guy who was nearly traded for the second year in a row.  He then lost his starting job because of an injury.  And then he shut it down for an injury that he already has played through the pain of.

He also is going to be a free agent this summer, and it is likely that he will both be moving on, and likely looking for the last contract of his career.

Is it that far out of the realm of possibility that he just said "you guys haven't been loyal to me this year, so I am no longer playing through pain for you"?

If this were nearly any other player in the league, this story would have already been written, and fans would be all over him.  But because of Ray's public persona, and how well liked he is by the media, no one will go near it.

You make some interesting points here, and I can definitely see Ray getting more of a free pass than other players would. None of us knows the extent of the pain Ray is in. But the fact that he was at least close to playing, I can't help but think that Pierce and Rondo would be playing if they were in the same situation.

[Chris]

I find it interesting that no one in the media will breach the idea that perhaps Ray could be putting himself above the team a bit.

This is a guy who was nearly traded for the second year in a row.  He then lost his starting job because of an injury.  And then he shut it down for an injury that he already has played through the pain of.

He also is going to be a free agent this summer, and it is likely that he will both be moving on, and likely looking for the last contract of his career.

Is it that far out of the realm of possibility that he just said "you guys haven't been loyal to me this year, so I am no longer playing through pain for you"?

If this were nearly any other player in the league, this story would have already been written, and fans would be all over him.  But because of Ray's public persona, and how well liked he is by the media, no one will go near it.

You make some interesting points here, and I can definitely see Ray getting more of a free pass than other players would. None of us knows the extent of the pain Ray is in. But the fact that he was at least close to playing, I can't help but think that Pierce would be playing if he were in the same situation.

And let me be clear that I am not accusing Ray of anything.  I have no idea how bad the injury is.  My point is, if that was Rondo, Lebron, Pierce, Kobe, Garnett, etc., there would have already been a couple hit pieces about this possibility.  The fact that there haven't been any tells me much more about the lack of integrity of the people covering this team, than the actual injury situation.

[CelticG1]

I find it interesting that no one in the media will breach the idea that perhaps Ray could be putting himself above the team a bit.

This is a guy who was nearly traded for the second year in a row.  He then lost his starting job because of an injury.  And then he shut it down for an injury that he already has played through the pain of.

He also is going to be a free agent this summer, and it is likely that he will both be moving on, and likely looking for the last contract of his career.

Is it that far out of the realm of possibility that he just said "you guys haven't been loyal to me this year, so I am no longer playing through pain for you"?

If this were nearly any other player in the league, this story would have already been written, and fans would be all over him.  But because of Ray's public persona, and how well liked he is by the media, no one will go near it.

I know some fans certainly think this.

Makes you wonder if they never switched him and bradley up if he would still be.playing.

And if he continued to be injured it wouldn't look as bad to ask him to come off the bench when/if he came back

[pearljammer10]

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here, but it's extremely frustrating how the media that covers this team is completely in the dark when it comes to key injuries (KG, Shaq and now Ray). Ray was supposed to be fine weeks ago, and then it's just passed off as no big deal that he still isn't back when we need him most. If you rewind 2-3 weeks ago, there was no indication whatsoever that he wouldn't be available for the playoffs. And now, we still have no idea when he'll actually play. Are we going to be strung along from game to game? Is he out for the duration of playoffs? Unfortunately, after the coverage we got of the KG and Shaq injuries, nothing would surprise me at this point.

I dont know if this is the media as much as Celtics management keeping things quiet and not releasing much information. This has happened many times in the last few years; Garnetts injuries, Rondo, JO, Wilcox... It seems that our medical staff and management doesnt like to release information on injuries to the media and the public and keeps us waiting til whenever they are actually ready, or they are out for a good long time.

[Lucky17]

Prescient words, Chris. Have you read Jackie Mac's column?

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/7874196/2012-nba-playoffs-rajon-rondo-makes-bad-situation-worse

Discussion of Allen's bone spurs and KG managing pain.

[Chris]

Prescient words, Chris. Have you read Jackie Mac's column?

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/7874196/2012-nba-playoffs-rajon-rondo-makes-bad-situation-worse

Discussion of Allen's bone spurs and KG managing pain.

I will give Jackie a pass, because I don't think she would be throwing other players under the bus like say, Wojo would (I know he is not a local guy, but this is the playoffs, and he loves taking guys to task...when the wind is blowing in the right direction).

But I think this sums it up, from Jackie:

But if Allen doesn't go, he should not be scrutinized.

[droopdog7]

I'm going on the assumption that Ray isn't playing for the Celts again.  Just like Shaq and KG, I am not seeing any reason for optimism in this case.  That is, if he can't play now (because of his condition), I don't see how it is supposed to get better.

[Boris Badenov]

I find it interesting that no one in the media will breach the idea that perhaps Ray could be putting himself above the team a bit.

This is a guy who was nearly traded for the second year in a row.  He then lost his starting job because of an injury.  And then he shut it down for an injury that he already has played through the pain of.

He also is going to be a free agent this summer, and it is likely that he will both be moving on, and likely looking for the last contract of his career.

Is it that far out of the realm of possibility that he just said "you guys haven't been loyal to me this year, so I am no longer playing through pain for you"?

If this were nearly any other player in the league, this story would have already been written, and fans would be all over him.  But because of Ray's public persona, and how well liked he is by the media, no one will go near it.

I don't get this argument at all.

Both his public persona and how well-liked he is have everything to do with how Ray has conducted himself for the last 15 years.

So now, he gets the benefit of the doubt, based on a reputation he developed himself through hard work and classy behavior.

Why would we be puzzled? Shouldn't he get a break, compared to someone who's conducted himself differently?

[Boris Badenov]

And let me be clear that I am not accusing Ray of anything.  I have no idea how bad the injury is.  My point is, if that was Rondo, Lebron, Pierce, Kobe, Garnett, etc., there would have already been a couple hit pieces about this possibility.  The fact that there haven't been any tells me much more about the lack of integrity of the people covering this team, than the actual injury situation.

You lump a few people in there, but I think they would be viewed very differently.

There is no way Garnett would be suspected of dogging it. He has always left it all on the floor, even for mediocre teams. He is the ultimate competitor. If he says he can't go, I don't see anyone questioning it.

It's hard to say about the other guys, because we can't imagine them getting benched - they are all still elite players. I think Kobe would get the benefit of the doubt. Pierce might too. Rondo, hard to tell. We know he plays through pain. We also know he can be difficult.

Lebron would get crucified.

[Roy H.]

I find it interesting that no one in the media will breach the idea that perhaps Ray could be putting himself above the team a bit.

This is a guy who was nearly traded for the second year in a row.  He then lost his starting job because of an injury.  And then he shut it down for an injury that he already has played through the pain of.

He also is going to be a free agent this summer, and it is likely that he will both be moving on, and likely looking for the last contract of his career.

Is it that far out of the realm of possibility that he just said "you guys haven't been loyal to me this year, so I am no longer playing through pain for you"?

If this were nearly any other player in the league, this story would have already been written, and fans would be all over him.  But because of Ray's public persona, and how well liked he is by the media, no one will go near it.

It could be, but I see Ray as more competitive than that.  He's generally classy, but he's also stubborn and obsessive compulsive.  He strikes me as a guy who would play through the pain, try to win a championship, and give Danny the middle finger on the way out the door.  I don't see him as a guy who would take playoff games off, though.