I guess we now have to wait some days before Ray Allen decides

[esel1000]

I really don't know why Danny and Doc just come out and publicly tell Ray he can start here.  It's obviously important to him and it's really overrated in the grand scheme of things.  

The really important issue here is rotation balance (not yanking all the starters for bench players who can't score at the same time) and there's other ways to achieve that besides bringing Ray off the bench.  

Rather, I'd suggest giving him the KG treatment  Yank him at the midway point with KG.  Bring in Bradley and Green.  Let Rondo run a little more.  Then at the end of the 1st, you could even let Rondo come out and bring back Ray, letting Bradley run a little point for the last couple of minutes to give Rondo a breather.  

The rest of the game, simply maintain a balance of young and old.  

when we started ray it felt like we were constantly playing catch up since we started so slowly. With Rondo and Bradley starting we got off to much faster starts before allowing Ray to come in and maintain the score. It was better that way and better for the team. I don't want him starting tbh, on a younger starting lineup where he would be a complimentary piece like the clippers fine but not here... I really would be disappointed in Ray if he cant even handle being a 6th man for the benefit of his team

[BudweiserCeltic]

Why are you guys so focused on Ray having a problem coming off the bench, and not so much on Ray having a problem on DA practically trying to trade him on every opportunity he had for the last 2 or 3 years?

If coming off the bench was such a big problem for him, he wouldn't even be visiting Miami for a pay cut.

He's merely looking for job security, and by that I mean a combination of money and years and probably a trade kicker to make it difficult to move him.

Would starting for a team be a factor in his decision? Sure, but I very much doubt it's the main thing motivating him while exploring his options.

[BballTim]

I really don't know why Danny and Doc just come out and publicly tell Ray he can start here.   

  What happens next year if Ray's playing poorly and Bradley's playing great?

[the_Bird]

I really don't know why Danny and Doc just come out and publicly tell Ray he can start here.   

  What happens next year if Ray's playing poorly and Bradley's playing great?

Doesn't strike me as good practice for a coach/GM to *promise* a starting role for any player.  Seems like Ray didn't like having to come off the bench last year, but maybe looking around at the other options he has (like Miami) shows him that a move to the bench at this stage of his career is inevitable, if he's going to play for an elite team. 

The team simply was better with Avery Bradley causing havoc on the defensive side (and doing OK with his shooting), than with Ray Allen getting the bulk of the 2-guard minutes.  No disrespect to Ray Allen, but AB proved himself to be a gamechanger defensively.

[Jon]

I really don't know why Danny and Doc just come out and publicly tell Ray he can start here.  It's obviously important to him and it's really overrated in the grand scheme of things.  

The really important issue here is rotation balance (not yanking all the starters for bench players who can't score at the same time) and there's other ways to achieve that besides bringing Ray off the bench.  

And to BballTim, I'd say it's really not that big of deal.  Just because Ray starts, doesn't mean that he can't play backup minutes.  If Bradley starts to play better, let him play 35 minutes per game and play Ray 20.  Plenty of teams play their 6th men more than some of their starters.  It really isn't that big of a deal.  

Rather, I'd suggest giving him the KG treatment  Yank him at the midway point with KG.  Bring in Bradley and Green.  Let Rondo run a little more.  Then at the end of the 1st, you could even let Rondo come out and bring back Ray, letting Bradley run a little point for the last couple of minutes to give Rondo a breather.  

The rest of the game, simply maintain a balance of young and old.  

when we started ray it felt like we were constantly playing catch up since we started so slowly. With Rondo and Bradley starting we got off to much faster starts before allowing Ray to come in and maintain the score. It was better that way and better for the team. I don't want him starting tbh, on a younger starting lineup where he would be a complimentary piece like the clippers fine but not here... I really would be disappointed in Ray if he cant even handle being a 6th man for the benefit of his team

I really don't think there was that much of a benefit.  

I think a lot of the perceived benefit was KG and Pierce playing better for a stretch and the fact that Ray was playing worse because of bone spurs.  

Furthermore, I don't see what bringing Bradley and Green off the bench couldn't be turned into a benefit that exceeds whatever perceived drop off Ray has.  Bringing them in with potentially JJJ to run and gun the last half of the first quarter could also be a big weapon.

And my even larger point is this: if it's the difference between Ray staying and starting or Ray leaving, just let him start.  Even if we're better off with Bradley starting and Ray coming off the bench, we're certainly not a better team without Ray.  

[Mencius]

Remember people; it would seem that it is ray AND someone else or just someone else.

This is, of course, the key point in this discussion.  Clearly we need a vet two.  Can't go with just Bradley.  Have Ray in hand, then don't necessarily need to use the MLE on a 2 guard.  Gives us lots of flexibility.  Don't get Ray, and it's a must to use the MLE on a 2.  Really gums up the works.  I'd even go 2 years, 13M to ensure we get him.  That ought to put the salary enough beyond the MLE to make it a stupid decision to go elsewhere (while only being an extra 500K per year beyond what is already being discussed).

[droopdog7]

Remember people; it would seem that it is ray AND someone else or just someone else.

[mctyson]

I really don't know why Danny and Doc just come out and publicly tell Ray he can start here.  It's obviously important to him and it's really overrated in the grand scheme of things.  

1) Doc mentioned that they had been discussing bringing Ray off the bench for 2 seasons.

1b) We didn't have anyone good enough to justify making the move in part #1.

2) Ray gets hurt.

3) Avery Bradley starts.

4) We go 20-8 with AB as our starting SG, and have the best record in the NBA during that stretch.

5) Ray accepts his role on the bench.


To move AB back to the reserve role would be counterproductive at this point.  We finally were able to execute on a plan that Doc/Danny had been trying to implement for 2 seasons.  Ray is 37 years old.  As good as he is and as great as he has been, nearly all players his age have to move to a reserve role at some point. 

Further, we went 20-8 with AB starting next to Rondo.  They are a great pair, and arguably the best defensive backcourt in the NBA.  We need them together as much as possible.  The only way that happens is if AB starts.

[kp4000]

  Is anyone else getting a little tired of the Ray drama?

Not really, FA has been open a whole two days.

These things take time to shake out.

It didn't take too long for the KG thing to shake out.  

  Or Jeff Green, apparently. We've got a barrel full of FAs that want to come back to Boston if at all possible and Ray, who may eventually grace the team with his presense, assuming he can get over the indignity of not being handed a starting position even though the team was playing great ball with Avery starting.

I find it a bit disturbing that, Ray would visit the Miami Heat, LA Clippers and etc. With his career accomplishments and stature, they(Teams) should visit him. Visiting the Clippers and Grizzles, are one thing, but to actually give your hated rival Miami, consideration. That's troubling and should be to the Celtics front-office and players.

I can understand the Clippers and Grizzles, because they're thin at the starting 2guard position and Ray could likely start. If Ray Allen has an issue with Rondo or an issue coming off the bench at this point in his career, then why consider Miami, where he's 100% likely to back-up, Wade.

So Ray Allen, first ballot hall of famer, would rather back D.Wade, the rival, instead of backing up Avery Bradley? I got love for Ray, but not cool what you're doing. But his anger for Ainge and Rondo is strong we probably don't know.

[snively]

Remember people; it would seem that it is ray AND someone else or just someone else.

Pretty much, though no Ray could free up potential cash to overpay Bass a bit.

You say that like it's a good thing!

[Change]

Ray is drama queen. I can't believe Ray Allen is actually meeting with Miami. Celtics went above and beyond with their offer doubling Miami's offer. Makes me appreciate KG more with the way he handled the free agency.

[snively]

Ray is a great player and all, but my biggest concern would be losing him for nothing.  We've committed to bringing back the gang and adding to it - if Ray leaves for nothing that strategy is compromised.

[celticinorlando]

well...this gives danny time to go get someone else...concentrate on green and bass...

[colincb]

Don't be happy to see Ray go.  It's easy to see why Danny's nervous about the SG position. Barring an unlikely sign+trade scenario for Ray who would have to be agree to the destination, it's either:

Ray Allen + $5 million MLE to be used on any position

or

A vet-min scrub (i.e., RH/SP/MD quality) + $5 million MLE to be used if possible on a SG.

Some seem to think that we could head into the season making a run at the crown depending on AB (NBA career 3FG% of 33%) coming off 2 surgeries on both shoulders, EM, who may not make the roster, and MP who is really more a defensive player than offensive one for his career.  Since we've reached out to the other major free agent SGs available, it appears Danny has figured out that this is a problem.

The problem with getting a replacement for Ray is that there's a good chance that we won't get any decent SG with the $5 million MLE.  Both Mayo and Crawford opted out to make more money than that. Terry, who is every NBA team's second choice (and mine) to Ray Allen, probably ends back in Dallas if DWill stays with the Nets (which seems likely).

Ray's leaving probably screws us big time, especially if he leaves to the Heat.

[CelticSooner]

Ray is a great player and all, but my biggest concern would be losing him for nothing.  We've committed to bringing back the gang and adding to it - if Ray leaves for nothing that strategy is compromised.

I doesn't sound like he will make his mind up until at least early next week. That could potential cost the C's a chance to find a suitable replacement. I hope Ainge has his ducks in a row just in case.