Yet another great article from Jackie MacMullan

[ctrey]

I swear is just the best person covering this team. There are many great reporters working the Celtics but she is just so dialed in.

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/8039253/boston-celtics-good-hands-doc-rivers

I particularly like the parts regarding Bradley and how he brought him along.

Sad to see that Ray is most likely gone but I think we really need to move on at that position. Hopefully we can sign and trade him.

[mctyson]

She clearly has the "pulse" of the team and I think it is because she has developed a great relationship with Doc.

Reading that article, you definitely fell more positive about our future.

I cannot wait to watch a Rondo-Bradley backcourt for the next few years.

[Senninsage]

I don't care what anyone says. The Celtics need Ray Allen, especially when he's healthy. How in god's name could you not want a guy like Ray Allen to play for this team, especially if he's coming off the bench with Bradley starting in front of him?

Do people see Ray's performance in the Heat Series, while guarding Wade? Did people see some of the plays he made? Some of the shots he hit? This guy was on a bad ankle, which made it tougher for him to do his usual later in the games, because the ankle had become tougher to manage by then. You don't want to give a healthy Ray Allen a chance?

Please, please tell me what better options there are over having a Ray Allen on your team, or coming off your bench? You won't find more reliable free throw shooters in pressure situations, or more reliable three point shooters, especially when the guy is healthy. The guy really knows how to move without the ball. Any writer saying it's time for the Celtics to part ways with Ray, doesn't know what the hell they're talking about, regardless of how nicely written the article is.

[Mr October]

While it is tough to stomach the idea of Ray Allen leaving, the C's should be fine without him. Dooling and Pietrus might come back for short money, and a Rondo, Bradley, Dooling, Pietrus guard rotation is pretty solid.

The C's need more speed, and Ray was the first of the big three to get out played by his backup (even if just for half a season). Jackie really made it clear that Allen is ready to move on.

The trick is that I doubt any contender out there can offer more money and playing time to him. So who knows.

[Senninsage]

Outplayed by his backup? Outplayed by his backup? For one, it wasn't even half a season, it was even less than that, as Ray was a big part of the post all-star game push for the Celtics. Also, Bradley's emergence happened while Ray was injured... not while Ray was healthy.

Although, you saw the signs from earlier in the season, but then Ray was also easily one of this team's best players early in the season, and people would do well not to forget it. In fact, early on, he was the team's leading scorer easily.

[clover]

I don't care what anyone says. The Celtics need Ray Allen, especially when he's healthy. How in god's name could you not want a guy like Ray Allen to play for this team, especially if he's coming off the bench with Bradley starting in front of him?

Do people see Ray's performance in the Heat Series, while guarding Wade? Did people see some of the plays he made? Some of the shots he hit? This guy was on a bad ankle, which made it tougher for him to do his usual later in the games, because the ankle had become tougher to manage by then. You don't want to give a healthy Ray Allen a chance?

Please, please tell me what better options there are over having a Ray Allen on your team, or coming off your bench? You won't find more reliable free throw shooters in pressure situations, or more reliable three point shooters, especially when the guy is healthy. The guy really knows how to move without the ball. Any writer saying it's time for the Celtics to part ways with Ray, doesn't know what the hell they're talking about, regardless of how nicely written the article is.

The Celtics would have less likely needed to double-team Wade if Ray weren't the guy guarding him--and they could have thus worked harder to shut down James.  Thankfully, we should have Bradley covering Wade next year.

[Lucky17]

Allen's situation is markedly different. He disagreed with the decision to have Bradley supplant him in the starting lineup. His shot opportunities dropped markedly, and his soured relationship with Rondo was evident. Allen was also stung by Boston's attempt to deal him to Memphis for O.J. Mayo.

There will be no hometown discount taken by the NBA's all-time 3-point king. All indications are the time has come for Allen and the Celtics to part ways.

If Jackie is writing this, then I guess I have to start believing it's a possibility. Guys like Chris Mannix who aren't with the team as often I can more easily dismiss.

I still think that Boston can offer Ray the best combination of money, minutes, and a chance at a title. However, I understand that the money issue could well be the critical factor, and Ray may not get the kind of offer from Ainge that he believes he should. Would Ray accept a more lucrative deal with another, lesser team out of spite? I have a hard time believing that, but I also don't know how personal relationships might come into play here.

[LooseCannon]

The Celtics would have less likely needed to double-team Wade if Ray weren't the guy guarding him--and they could have thus worked harder to shut down James.  Thankfully, we should have Bradley covering Wade next year.

Well, until Wade does a typical dirty play to try and rip Bradley's arm out of its socket.  So, the Celtics could use some insurance behind Bradley.

[hpantazo]

I don't care what anyone says. The Celtics need Ray Allen, especially when he's healthy. How in god's name could you not want a guy like Ray Allen to play for this team, especially if he's coming off the bench with Bradley starting in front of him?

Do people see Ray's performance in the Heat Series, while guarding Wade? Did people see some of the plays he made? Some of the shots he hit? This guy was on a bad ankle, which made it tougher for him to do his usual later in the games, because the ankle had become tougher to manage by then. You don't want to give a healthy Ray Allen a chance?

Please, please tell me what better options there are over having a Ray Allen on your team, or coming off your bench? You won't find more reliable free throw shooters in pressure situations, or more reliable three point shooters, especially when the guy is healthy. The guy really knows how to move without the ball. Any writer saying it's time for the Celtics to part ways with Ray, doesn't know what the hell they're talking about, regardless of how nicely written the article is.

Maybe because Ray doesn't want to come off the bench for Bradley or run up and down the floor with Rondo to get yelled at instead of getting shots. It's time for Ray to move on.

[Mr October]

Outplayed by his backup? Outplayed by his backup? For one, it wasn't even half a season, it was even less than that, as Ray was a big part of the post all-star game push for the Celtics. Also, Bradley's emergence happened while Ray was injured... not while Ray was healthy.

Although, you saw the signs from earlier in the season, but then Ray was also easily one of this team's best players early in the season, and people would do well not to forget it. In fact, early on, he was the team's leading scorer easily.

Yes injuries were part of the equation. And Ray could bounce back at 100%. During the 2nd half of the season the team looked better with Bradley on the floor. The Celtics needed more speed. The team defense spiked up as a result.

Trust me I want Ray back. But he would be the easiest loss of the big 3 to cover.

[2short]

Start of season it was rondo & ray that kept the celtics from being killed most games.  His play went down with injury but to me he is going to be a good commodity for too many teams and I don't think we can resign him for the $ amount that ainge will have in mind.  Ray can start for most teams in the nba, put him on the clippers to spread the floor hmm nice picture huh?
In a perfect world he'll resign with the celtics and agree to come off the bench.  Bradley and Rondo together gives us the best defensive backcourt in the league easily.

[wahz]

one thing I'm sure of is that Jackie knows what she is talking about. So Ray is gone. I think its as simple as having 25 mill to use on Bass, KG, Green, Pietrus and a couple other small contracts. We'll need to get KG and Green for around 13-15 total to have even 3-5 left over at most. Its a lot to ask but we really need for KG to come back and well below his actual value for us to get a quality free agent

[st.jimmy222]

The Celtics would have less likely needed to double-team Wade if Ray weren't the guy guarding him--and they could have thus worked harder to shut down James.  Thankfully, we should have Bradley covering Wade next year.

Well, until Wade does a typical dirty play to try and rip Bradley's arm out of its socket.  So, the Celtics could use some insurance behind Bradley.

HA! yah for sureXD

[Melanie5]

I couldn't agree any more.

[Mr October]

one thing I'm sure of is that Jackie knows what she is talking about. So Ray is gone. I think its as simple as having 25 mill to use on Bass, KG, Green, Pietrus and a couple other small contracts. We'll need to get KG and Green for around 13-15 total to have even 3-5 left over at most. Its a lot to ask but we really need for KG to come back and well below his actual value for us to get a quality free agent

If the C's dont renounce their free agents they can circumvent the cap with bird rights (3 years or longer) and limited bird rights (players who are coming off of 1 or 2 year contracts with the team). Then they can still use the MLE on a new player.