Why Are We Assuming that Ray Allen Won't Start?

[Mencius]

Defense.



I think when all are healthy, AB starts. Ray plays more minutes.

If both are healthy, I think Ray starts, AB plays more minutes.  ha ha ha   One of us us bound to be right...

I could see AB starting but Ray finishing games (and getting more minutes).  We seem to get off to much better starts with AB starting.  I just hope we get Ray back to even have this option available.

[thirstyboots18]

Good points, Bud...why didn't I think of that?  

[Mencius]

Good points, Bud...why didn't I think of that?  

Haha.  Any time I can repeat you I'm in good company.

[clover]

"We like our starting lineup."

--Doc Rivers on the Mike Lupica show, where he also said how much they'd like Ray back, that they're trying to build their bench and give KG, Paul and Ray more rest, and he thinks Ray will be back unless someone  makes such a financial offer that he's pulled away.

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/8122714/2012-nba-free-agency-boston-celtics-say-ray-allen-brandon-bass-highest-priority-sign

[KGs Knee]

I honestly don't know what direction Doc will go in if Ray comes back.  I could see it going either way (Bradley or Allen starting).

I do know that I WANT Bradley to be the starter though.  The starting line-up just looked better.  Looked better than it has at any point over the last year and a half.

[green7]

because it would be stupid

[LarBrd33]

because our 2nd year 6'2 180 pound shooting guard appears to be an aggressive defender (against other undersized guards) and he had a 1 month stretch of very believable offensive ability (in between shooting 36%) during the tail end of a lockout shortened season when opposing teams didn't have time to properly scout or practice.  

Clearly he's the best option over a guy who continues to shoot lights out, spread the floor (for our offensively-challenged point guard who can't consistently score on his own), and post averages of 46% FG, 45% 3P and 91% from the line.  

[kp4000]

If Ray wanted to return, he would of made a verbal comment already. Just as KG, did last Saturday. Just my opinion.

[Celtics18]

because our 2nd year 6'2 180 pound shooting guard appears to be an aggressive defender (against other undersized guards) and he had a 1 month stretch of very believable offensive ability (in between shooting 36%) during the tail end of a lockout shortened season when opposing teams didn't have time to properly scout or practice.  

Clearly he's the best option over a guy who continues to shoot lights out, spread the floor, and post averages of 46% FG, 45% 3P and 91% from the line.  

I guess we can put you in the start Ray camp, then?

[LarBrd33]

because our 2nd year 6'2 180 pound shooting guard appears to be an aggressive defender (against other undersized guards) and he had a 1 month stretch of very believable offensive ability (in between shooting 36%) during the tail end of a lockout shortened season when opposing teams didn't have time to properly scout or practice.  

Clearly he's the best option over a guy who continues to shoot lights out, spread the floor, and post averages of 46% FG, 45% 3P and 91% from the line.  

I guess we can put you in the start Ray camp, then?

No.  I'm in the start Avery Bradley camp and bring Ray off the bench (but DEFINITELY bring Ray back).  

I just don't know if that lasts.  I haven't seen enough from Bradley to be convinced he's a golden god.  I could see it working... but i could also see Bradley struggle scoring and get exposed defensively due to his size... and then having Ray move back into the starting spot.  I don't expect it... I just can see it happening.

[Eris]

I keep seeing posts that are based unequivically on the assumption that Avery Bradley will be the starter and that Ray will come off the bench.  Things like "he may go here or there because he can start" or "Ray won't come back because he wants to be a starter".

The only time Ray didn't start was when he was hurt and when he was being eased back in to full minutes.  Does anyone actually have any statements from Doc that would confirm that Bradley is the starter going into next year?  Are people just making a prediction that Bradley will beat out Ray?

For the record, I think if Ray is recovered, he should and will start.  Bradley will be perfect as a bench combo gaurd.

Personally, I'm assuming that if both are back and healthy that Allen will start. Ray was just fine early in the season. He fell off due to injury.  Fix his ankles and he's still a quality starter.

[Celtics18]

because our 2nd year 6'2 180 pound shooting guard appears to be an aggressive defender (against other undersized guards) and he had a 1 month stretch of very believable offensive ability (in between shooting 36%) during the tail end of a lockout shortened season when opposing teams didn't have time to properly scout or practice.  

Clearly he's the best option over a guy who continues to shoot lights out, spread the floor, and post averages of 46% FG, 45% 3P and 91% from the line.  

I guess we can put you in the start Ray camp, then?

No.  I'm in the start Avery Bradley camp and bring Ray off the bench (but DEFINITELY bring Ray back).  

I just don't know if that lasts.  I haven't seen enough from Bradley to be convinced he's a golden god.  I could see it working... but i could also see Bradley struggle scoring and get exposed defensively due to his size... and then having Ray move back into the starting spot.  I don't expect it... I just can see it happening.

Wow! I agree.

[kp4000]

I keep seeing posts that are based unequivically on the assumption that Avery Bradley will be the starter and that Ray will come off the bench.  Things like "he may go here or there because he can start" or "Ray won't come back because he wants to be a starter".

The only time Ray didn't start was when he was hurt and when he was being eased back in to full minutes.  Does anyone actually have any statements from Doc that would confirm that Bradley is the starter going into next year?  Are people just making a prediction that Bradley will beat out Ray?

For the record, I think if Ray is recovered, he should and will start.  Bradley will be perfect as a bench combo gaurd.

Personally, I'm assuming that if both are back and healthy that Allen will start. Ray was just fine early in the season. He fell off due to injury.  Fix his ankles and he's still a quality starter.

Next season will be 82 games. Avery Bradley will likely be healthy and starting in the beginning of the season. But he still has to prove himself as a starter at least within the first 30 games.

[rayallen1934]

nobody brings up the fact that when Rondo , Pierce and even KG sucked balls, Ray Allen was playing great


too bad its a team game...or maybe it isn't, and it was all Ray's fault

[LarBrd33]

because our 2nd year 6'2 180 pound shooting guard appears to be an aggressive defender (against other undersized guards) and he had a 1 month stretch of very believable offensive ability (in between shooting 36%) during the tail end of a lockout shortened season when opposing teams didn't have time to properly scout or practice. 

Clearly he's the best option over a guy who continues to shoot lights out, spread the floor, and post averages of 46% FG, 45% 3P and 91% from the line.   

I guess we can put you in the start Ray camp, then?

No.  I'm in the start Avery Bradley camp and bring Ray off the bench (but DEFINITELY bring Ray back). 

I just don't know if that lasts.  I haven't seen enough from Bradley to be convinced he's a golden god.  I could see it working... but i could also see Bradley struggle scoring and get exposed defensively due to his size... and then having Ray move back into the starting spot.  I don't expect it... I just can see it happening.

Wow! I agree.

Lol JK.  You're still my secondary nemesis after BBallTim.  All is still right in the world of Celticsblog.