Source: Ray Allen Likely Signs With Miami

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

It isn't "stealing our player" or disloyalty. He is a free agent.

The C's have made it fairly clear Ray Allen is not the long term plan and Ray wants more than a one year contract (with The C's expirings does more than a year make any sense?). At that point the man is free to do as he pleases and the claim of loyalty would go both ways. The C's have tried to trade Ray so it isn't like they have made it a sticking point that RA retires a Celtic.

And Ray isn't a lifelong Celtic or anything. Of course I appreciate all his contributions to the team, love watching him play, etc. but I in no way hold it against the guy for wanting to go to a good team in the twilight of his career. And to say The Heat are "stealing our guy" when they are simply trying to go out and find the right piece for their puzzle? You think they wouldn't be interested in Ray Allen if he was a free agent  coming off a contract with Houston or Phoenix?

[JOMVP]

I really wouldnt understand Ray Allen's logic on this one. He would potentially take less money, and less minutes to go to the Heat. If this is true, then it kind of speaks to the comptetiveness of Ray that he wants to coast to another title. Does one extra ring really mean that much when you didn't contribute that much?

He would mean more to the Celtics squad this year then the Heat team. Specially to that fanbase who don't have a clue about basketball and what to appreciate.

[Celts Fan 92]

A lor dissapointed but thanks for the last 5 years Ray Allen u hit a lot of big shots nd had a lot of great moments wit us

[mctyson]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted. 

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

Please. He is a 16-year NBA veteran and has played on 3 teams. Spare the psychoanalysis.  


If he really wants to go to Miami, he will be leaving $$ and the chance to start on the table.  This directly contradicts everything he has said he wants at this point in his career.  The guy has already won a ring.  He doesn't need to validate his career.

I am thinking this is a way to get Boston or Chicago to pony-up more dough so they keep him away from Miami.

T

[mctyson]

If he does bolt, the Bradley/Allen matchup will be fun to watch next year.

You are going to see this regardless of Ray's decision, which is why he is most likely leaving.

[Roy H.]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted.  

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

Please. He is a 16-year NBA veteran and has played on 3 teams. Spare the psychoanalysis.  


If he really wants to go to Miami, he will be leaving $$ and the chance to start on the table.  This directly contradicts everything he has said he wants at this point in his career.  The guy has already won a ring.  He doesn't need to validate his career.

I am thinking this is a way to get Boston or Chicago to pony-up more dough so they keep him away from Miami.

T

So, you tell me to spare the psychoanalysis, and then engage in the same thing?  You deduce his goal to be money; why is that more legitimate than thinking that he'd prefer security?

Professional athletes are people.  They're driven by the same motivations as everyone else.  One of them is money.  Another is the desire to feel appreciated and wanted.  We've heard numerous professional athletes cite this reasoning in the past.

So, please, spare me your chastising.  You don't have the monopoly on viable opinions.

[P2]

Leave the man alone! If you had a chance to get another ring, you would all probably do the same! Hate to see him go, but it's a business, folks! I will lose some of my respect for him though.

[green7]

good we don't need him anyway it wasn't till he was out of the starting line up this past season that the team actually played great.

[GreenFaith1819]

The general consensus around the league last season, at the trade deadline, was that BOS was going to blow it up. Danny reportedly inquired about trade scenarios with just about everyone, including kicking the tires on KG, Paul, Rondo and Ray.

We all know how that ended...with BOS's improbable run to the ECF Finals, and Lebron needing a Herculean effort in Game 6 to put us away.

That game was Lebron James' BEST effort EVER.

My thing is this - regardless of the rumors out there, and the hearsay around the league - until Walter Ray Allen is definitely gone, I'm looking forward to more of this in Green:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edq_qAAQZik&feature=fvwrel

My gut feeling is: Why MIA? I always thought loyalty was key for Ray Allen?

(I know - "How can one be loyal when a team tries to trade you?") But IF this is the case, then Paul and Rondo should be hurt, too.

And I can't understand the rumors about his pride being hurt with AB starting, either....didn't he volunteer his spot for AB's development?

I respect the media for doing their jobs, but there are still so many things up in the air right now that I just can't believe someone's gone until they are in fact gone.

And finally - didn't Danny Ainge reportedly state, right after our loss to MIA, that he wanted Paul, Ray and KG back to mentor the youngsters?

Even IF this stuff is true, and Ray Allen ends up in MIA, I'd still love the guy as a player and class act.

But until then, I'm looking forward to the return of the Core Four next season. As great a team that MIA has, DWade is older, and BOS still has one more run in them, if things fall into place.

I believe Ray Allen should be a part of that.

[Chris]

My gut feeling is: Why MIA? I always thought loyalty was key for Ray Allen?

(I know - "How can one be loyal when a team tries to trade you?") But IF this is the case, then Paul and Rondo should be hurt, too.

You answered your own question.  Loyalty goes two ways.  The C's have tried to trade Ray (at least) twice now, and he also lost his starting spot.  Clearly the C's did not feel too much loyalty to him that they would pass up on deals they thought could help, just to make him happy.  So, why should he pass up on an opportunity to go someplace he might want to go, out of any loyalty to them?

Ray is free to go wherever he wants, and he won't be breaking any loyalty, because that has already been broken.  And frankly, it should be.  It is time for him to move on, and if he is moving on, the loyalty is to do what is right for himself, and his family.

As for why Miami?  It is a heck of a nice city to retire to, and since Ray is likely looking for his final stop in the NBA, that will be a big consideration.  I doubt he wants to uproot his family two more times.  So, if he is leaving Boston, where he goes will likely be where he wants to settle down with his family in.  And he could do much worse than Miami.

[Celtics18]

As of right now, I'm assuming that Ray Allen will be a Celtic next year.  I'm not ready to jump to any conclusions based on fake tweets, but if Ray does end up in Miami next season, he will lose a lot of my respect and a lot of the good will that he has garnered from this Celtics fan over the course of the past five years.

Don't do it, Ray.  If they are the only ones who really want you, then retire.

[GreenFaith1819]

My gut feeling is: Why MIA? I always thought loyalty was key for Ray Allen?

(I know - "How can one be loyal when a team tries to trade you?") But IF this is the case, then Paul and Rondo should be hurt, too.

You answered your own question.  Loyalty goes two ways.  The C's have tried to trade Ray (at least) twice now, and he also lost his starting spot.  Clearly the C's did not feel too much loyalty to him that they would pass up on deals they thought could help, just to make him happy.  So, why should he pass up on an opportunity to go someplace he might want to go, out of any loyalty to them?

Ray is free to go wherever he wants, and he won't be breaking any loyalty, because that has already been broken.  And frankly, it should be.  It is time for him to move on, and if he is moving on, the loyalty is to do what is right for himself, and his family.

As for why Miami?  It is a heck of a nice city to retire to, and since Ray is likely looking for his final stop in the NBA, that will be a big consideration.  I doubt he wants to uproot his family two more times.  So, if he is leaving Boston, where he goes will likely be where he wants to settle down with his family in.  And he could do much worse than Miami.

For the first underlined portion - is it TRUE that he lost his starting spot? I thought he volunteered it, and/or was injured?

for the second underlined - For me, I cannot say whether it is time for a player to move on or not - especially when he filled a need for BOS.

As great a player as I believe AB will be, he is not the deep threat that Ray Allen is right now.

Perhaps Ray Allen's game is - in fact - just as a shooter at this stage in his career.

But he is a DEADLY one - one that warrants attention from every opponent.

If this is the end, then I hope BOS has a remedy for losing that threat.

[cman88]

So if pp and kg decide to stay and contend...and ray jumps ship to miami for LESS money and role...how does that not irk some people?

Its an easy way out...even nash said he'd rather beat miami to win than join them. I will lose respect for ray..not for leaving but because he'd rather take the wasy way.

He could easily start for the bulls or clippers who still can contend AND he'd play a major role

[snowball]

Guys Ray Allen is not going to sign for anything less
than $5 mil per year. This Miami talk isn't even worth
discussion without a higher offer than $3. Clippers, Bulls,
Magic and others all are prepared to offer $5 million for
Ray.
he will NOT be a Celtic.
Ray is too proud (rightfully so) to come off the bench.

[Finkelskyhook]

I'm waiting for steven i smith to weigh in on this.

If steven tells us Ray is going to Miami, he's not.

If steven says he's not going to Miami, he is.