Idea: Stop acting as if Ray is gone just because of his injury and...

[RR9]

(Subject cont: so-so playoff performance.)
Anyway, onto my post:
Ray got injured and is now back trying to help the team.  He's obviously a lot less effective when he's hurt, but he's still a threat due to his incredible (one of the highest IMO) bball IQ and scoring savvy.  You all need to stop assuming ray is gone and just throwing him off the team because he's not raining 3s every game.  yeah, bradley's playing well and that can only be good news for us but it also doesn't mean we just dump Ray.  He's 36 but still one of the players in the best shape in the NBA. 

I personally would love to have ray back (and still come off the bench probably) because right now starting bradley means more effective defense.  However, with ray leading the bench, we have a much better balance of scoring between the starting and bench units.  just because ray's not dwade doesn't mean we can't use him anymore for a cheaper contract next year.  you guys can't call yourselves true celtics fans if you just want to keep dumping players who aren't "all stars" and then trying to go for "all stars" like josh smith.  he's good but right now C's fans are overhyping him because of the connection to rondo.  anyway, back to ray: he's still a vet and provides plenty of leadership.  derek fisher is very ineffective on either end of the floor yet OKC signed him.  why? because he can still lead and has that IQ/bball experience that can still come in handy, ESPECIALLY for the playoffs.  fisher's numbers are what these playoffs?  7.6pts, 0.8 asts, and 1.8 reb on 24.2 min.

ray's numbers: 12.7/4.2/1.8 on 30.5 min.  it's completely reasonable for ray (and/or KG) to come back for $3-4M/year.  I'd love for them to come back for that.

[LarBrd33]

Ray had 17 in the last game.  He's still a major decoy even when he isn't shooting. 

[LarBrd33]

as far as them coming back next season... Dunno.  It's weird, because everyone seems to suggest this is their last season together.  Piece basically said that in the pre-game interview that aired... that they realize this is the last chance they have together.  Ray apparently was actually traded around the deadline, but the deal fell through... I'm not sure if Pierce is suggesting that Ray wants out or if everyone expects KG to retire.

Seems to me given the real lack of quality unrestricted free agents in this upcoming free agent class... our best option is to just bring KG and Ray back anyway.  It's either that or throw a bunch of money at Chris Kaman.

[Smokeeye123]

as far as them coming back next season... Dunno.  It's weird, because everyone seems to suggest this is their last season together.  Piece basically said that in the pre-game interview that aired... that they realize this is the last chance they have together.  Ray apparently was actually traded around the deadline, but the deal fell through... I'm not sure if Pierce is suggesting that Ray wants out or if everyone expects KG to retire.

Seems to me given the real lack of quality unrestricted free agents in this upcoming free agent class... our best option is to just bring KG and Ray back anyway.  It's either that or throw a bunch of money at Chris Kaman.

I think Ray is gone, but he is easier to replace than KG in my opinion.

[SHAQATTACK]

May come down to how far they go , how they feel , and how DA & Doc feel , a meeting of the minds.  No telling.

[CelticsFanNC]

  Personally I think Ray might be gone because someone is going to offer him more money to start then the Celtics will to be a 6th man.  He might take less money to stay in a situation that he feels comfortable but the Celtic's wont get into a bidding war for his services and probably shouldn't.

[Chris]

Ray is gone because he wants to start, and that does not seem to be in the C's plans.  Has nothing to do with his injury, or his playoff performance, it has to do with a guy who has been a starter his whole career, and knows he can still start in the NBA for a contender. 

We all know Ray is classy, blah blah blah, but he is also ultra competitive, and has an ego like any star athlete.  It kills him to come off the bench, and when other teams like the Bulls and Clippers come calling offering him a starting spot next year, Danny will have to really overpay him to convince him to come off the bench...and I don't think Danny will be prepared to do that.

[Fafnir]

Ray is gone because he wants to start, and that does not seem to be in the C's plans.  Has nothing to do with his injury, or his playoff performance, it has to do with a guy who has been a starter his whole career, and knows he can still start in the NBA for a contender. 

We all know Ray is classy, blah blah blah, but he is also ultra competitive, and has an ego like any star athlete.  It kills him to come off the bench, and when other teams like the Bulls and Clippers come calling offering him a starting spot next year, Danny will have to really overpay him to convince him to come off the bench...and I don't think Danny will be prepared to do that.

Which is too bad if it happens, but given PP's and Ray's lack of athleticism I don't like the combo they provide anymore.

I'll be sad to see him in another uniform.

[Chris]

Ray is gone because he wants to start, and that does not seem to be in the C's plans.  Has nothing to do with his injury, or his playoff performance, it has to do with a guy who has been a starter his whole career, and knows he can still start in the NBA for a contender. 

We all know Ray is classy, blah blah blah, but he is also ultra competitive, and has an ego like any star athlete.  It kills him to come off the bench, and when other teams like the Bulls and Clippers come calling offering him a starting spot next year, Danny will have to really overpay him to convince him to come off the bench...and I don't think Danny will be prepared to do that.

Which is too bad if it happens, but given PP's and Ray's lack of athleticism I don't like the combo they provide anymore.

I'll be sad to see him in another uniform.

Yeah, I think it will be a mutually beneficial decision.  Pierce and Ray together is just too much jogging up the court when you have a PG like Rondo.  They need to inject some youth into the wing rotation this summer, and Ray is the obvious guy to go, particularly since Danny does need to start the transition.

I also think Ray can be more valuable on a team that already has the youth and athleticism, but is missing the shooter/savvy veteran, which is the case on both the Bulls and Clippers IMO. 

It's too bad from a sentimental standpoint, but from a basketball standpoint, it just makes sense.

[Fafnir]

Ray is gone because he wants to start, and that does not seem to be in the C's plans.  Has nothing to do with his injury, or his playoff performance, it has to do with a guy who has been a starter his whole career, and knows he can still start in the NBA for a contender. 

We all know Ray is classy, blah blah blah, but he is also ultra competitive, and has an ego like any star athlete.  It kills him to come off the bench, and when other teams like the Bulls and Clippers come calling offering him a starting spot next year, Danny will have to really overpay him to convince him to come off the bench...and I don't think Danny will be prepared to do that.

Which is too bad if it happens, but given PP's and Ray's lack of athleticism I don't like the combo they provide anymore.

I'll be sad to see him in another uniform.

Yeah, I think it will be a mutually beneficial decision.  Pierce and Ray together is just too much jogging up the court when you have a PG like Rondo.  They need to inject some youth into the wing rotation this summer, and Ray is the obvious guy to go, particularly since Danny does need to start the transition.

I also think Ray can be more valuable on a team that already has the youth and athleticism, but is missing the shooter/savvy veteran, which is the case on both the Bulls and Clippers IMO. 

It's too bad from a sentimental standpoint, but from a basketball standpoint, it just makes sense.

I'm still hoping that Ray stays if KG does and embraces a bench gunner role if Danny pays him a lot of short term $$.

[Kane3387]

Ray might have to take that one year deal if it's offered. This run might be enough to go into year 6 of our three year plan and match up contracts with Pierce's contract. If bass opts in which seems likely now then why not bring Ray and KG back for another year. Seeing as the Bulls likely won't contend and the Magic and Hawks likely blow it up it might be a two horse race next year between Boston and Miami. NY and Indiana could be close behind us also.

Not sure Ray will be offered more money then we can offer next year and on one year deals KG and Ray could override trades. If we make it to the finals and considering the FA crop I can see it happening. Plus it only helps our young players to be around the Big 3.

[pearljammer10]

Feels weird to say but id rather have pietrus in the game over Ray at this point. Ray looks lost and confused to me, I honestly think he is somewhat mad that he is coming off the bench.

[CelticHooligan3]

Feels weird to say but id rather have pietrus in the game over Ray at this point. Ray looks lost and confused to me, I honestly think he is somewhat mad that he is coming off the bench.

This. When you see he's shooting 12-20 from the line this year for the playoffs you know something is up.

Im not saying he's missing on purpose but i certainly think his concentration is lacking.

Those numbers are so un-ray like it's sad really. But definatley makes you wonder where his mindset is at.

[Fafnir]

Feels weird to say but id rather have pietrus in the game over Ray at this point. Ray looks lost and confused to me, I honestly think he is somewhat mad that he is coming off the bench.

This. When you see he's shooting 12-20 from the line this year for the playoffs you know something is up.

Im not saying he's missing on purpose but i certainly think his concentration is lacking.

Those numbers are so un-ray like it's sad really. But definatley makes you wonder where his mindset is at.

His ankles hurt and his form is such he elevates on his toes and uses those ankles every time as he releases.

I don't know if it was Reggie Miller or another retired SG (Legler?) but he was talking about how each time you go on your toes bones spurs like that hurt sharply. He said it was easier to shoot jump shots because you elevate and then shoot and the sharp pain happens before your release and earlier in the motion.

[CelticHooligan3]

Feels weird to say but id rather have pietrus in the game over Ray at this point. Ray looks lost and confused to me, I honestly think he is somewhat mad that he is coming off the bench.

This. When you see he's shooting 12-20 from the line this year for the playoffs you know something is up.

Im not saying he's missing on purpose but i certainly think his concentration is lacking.

Those numbers are so un-ray like it's sad really. But definatley makes you wonder where his mindset is at.

His ankles hurt and his form is such he elevates on his toes and uses those ankles every time as he releases.

I don't know if it was Reggie Miller or another retired SG (Legler?) but he was talking about how each time you go on your toes bones spurs like that hurt sharply. He said it was easier to shoot jump shots because you elevate and then shoot and the sharp pain happens before your release and earlier in the motion.

Well if he's as injured and ineffective as you say he is then he should do the professional thing and voluntarily sit himself. No sense in being in the game if your gonna brick free throws that should be gimmes due to injury. And he only made one bucket yesterday too i think.

Im not saying i don't appreciate all his past contributions to this city and team. But i just am of the mindset that the team as a whole takes precedent over any one individual player. And if he's gonna continue to be this ineffective he should do the right thing and give the more healthy guys on the bench the opportunity to show their wares.