Don't care what anyone thinks. I want Ray to succeed wherever he is.

[17wasEZ]

Ray shows up like 3-4 hours before every game, is always working hard on his game, always keeping himself in shape, always being a professional for his team, always conducting himself with class, always giving it 100% out on the court even while hurt, and everybody on this forum knows full well that the Celtics haven't been treating Ray very well for the past 2 seasons or so.

Ray did not deserve the bad treatment he got from the Celtics. There's such a thing as principle and pride, and every single player on the Boston Celtics has that pride. If KG was being treated that badly, don't expect to see KG stick around. If Pierce was being treated like that, don't expect him to stick around, either. This isn't a simple matter of being in trade talks, because rondo and pierce have certainly been in trade talks, but they were never in trade talks while simultaneously being heavily undervalued on their current team at the same time.

Ray was more or less traded at the trade deadline for O.J. Mayo from the Grizzlies. The Celtics pulled the trade trigger. They didn't just talk about it, they did it. We all know this.

Celtics weren't fighting to keep Ray Allen when they had him. I'm just as p---ed off as anybody, because I consider myself a true fan of Ray Allen. I was a bucks fan because of Ray. I was a Supersonics fan because of Ray. I became a Celtic fan because of Ray. Only other player I've been such a huge fan of was Michael Jordan.

People think Ray is leaving because he wants an easy ring? Far from it. Ray is leaving because of his pride. He believes he still has a lot of game left in him, and he believes he gave the Boston Celtics everything he had and never cheated the game of basketball, as Garnett is known for saying. Ray Allen is leaving the Celtics because he believes, deep down, that the Celtics no longer believes in him, or even wants to, and slowly, but surely his relevance on the team is falling. Many people on this very forum have been saying this same thing for months.

Ray Allen was one of the Celtic's best players easily at the early part of the season, arguably #1 with the way he was performing. KG wasn't himself, Pierce came back a bit out of shape, and was out of rhythm as a result of his injury.

Ray, the numbers prove, was a major part of our post all-star game push. He hurt his ankle in that huge game against the Clippers that we won, and he continued to play like 4 games afterwards. Bradley blossomed this season, but we were winning again with Ray getting the start. He hit big shot after big shot for us this season. I agreed with Ray going to the bench, because I thought it was actually helping the team. It's all in how you handle things, though, and the Celtics never made it clear enough that they wanted Ray back. Considering what Ray has been through, perhaps a no trade clause and $12 million wasn't good enough.

Maybe he wanted to see a strong enough sign that they really believed in him in Boston, and was serious about him having a major role on the team going forward. Ray, for better or worse, as much as people hate the Heat, the Heat seem to be more eager and more hungry for Ray's services, and are more prepared to make him a big part of their team than the Celtics are. Ray was convinced that this is a team that values his contributions. It wasn't about money, it was about respect and having a sense that the team you're playing for REALLY values your services. The management had burned too many bridges with Ray.

I still want to see the Celtics win a championship. I still want them to succeed. I will not cheer against the Celtics, but I will also not cheer against Ray on the Heat. I, too, want to see him prove his worth and value, no matter where he goes, even if it's the Heat. A big part of me wants him to prove that the Celtics should have appreciated what they had when they had it, and not when they were about to lose it. I want Ray Allen to succeed wherever he goes, and I would love to see him win another championship. If the Celtics and Heat play, I will be torn. I will just watch as a neutral fan that respects both teams.

I don't hate everybody on the Heat. I've always, for example, respected Bosh, and now I have someone else on the team that I really respect, Ray Allen. I'm angry with Ray for leaving, but I understand and don't blame him for making a decision that he feels is best for him as a competitor.

For you to say that if the Celtics and Heat play:

 "I will be torn.' 'I will just watch as a neutral fan that respects both teams."

That tells me you are not a true Celtic fan.  How could you be neutral?  I like Ray too, but I hope he doesn't win a title with the Heat UNLESS they are playing against the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

[Celtics18]

Senninsage,

I respect the fact that you are a huge Ray Allen fan, but, unfortunately, your allegiances are going to be in direct opposition to each other, and I predict that it will be hard for you to keep both.

My advice; Let Ray go.  He let you go.  

[GreenFaith1819]

At this point in his career, and I stress at this point, Walter can be replaced by any number of lower priced, obviously less thin skinned NBA spot up shooters.  Things you will not miss will be the borderline horrible defense, the " where was that pass going" question you ask every game from him, and the obligatory drive to the hoop that ends in a miss or blocked reverse lay up attempt.  I will not thank him for the memories or his long hours of practice and prep for which he was handsomly rewared.   I will not wish him luck, nor will I dwell on what might have been.  He owes me nothing just as I owe him nothing. So take your talent ( singular) to South Beach and enjoy sitting at the kiddie table.  Alpha Michael Foxtrot.

For me, personally, I shuddered more when Paul had the ball in his hands, over the last couple of yrs, than Ray.

[GreenFaith1819]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i19lSd7pAiE

No matter how we all may feel right now.....


Let's not EVER forget.

Just ONE example of Big Game Ray was in THAT clip. we lose THAT game, we would've been tied 2-2 vs LA - with ONE MORE game to play in LA (which we LOST, due to Perk being out.

In the midst of the anger and hatred and venom on the board right now - let's not forget.

[BudweiserCeltic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i19lSd7pAiE

No matter how we all may feel right now.....


Let's not EVER forget.

Just ONE example of Big Game Ray was in THAT clip. we lose THAT game, we would've been tied 2-2 vs LA - with ONE MORE game to play in LA (which we LOST, due to Perk being out.

In the midst of the anger and hatred and venom on the board right now - let's not forget.

That's the problem with me, I can't forget. He ruined those memories. I can't see them with the same fondness I once did.

[BballTim]

At this point in his career, and I stress at this point, Walter can be replaced by any number of lower priced, obviously less thin skinned NBA spot up shooters.  Things you will not miss will be the borderline horrible defense, the " where was that pass going" question you ask every game from him, and the obligatory drive to the hoop that ends in a miss or blocked reverse lay up attempt.  I will not thank him for the memories or his long hours of practice and prep for which he was handsomly rewared.   I will not wish him luck, nor will I dwell on what might have been.  He owes me nothing just as I owe him nothing. So take your talent ( singular) to South Beach and enjoy sitting at the kiddie table.  Alpha Michael Foxtrot.

For me, personally, I shuddered more when Paul had the ball in his hands, over the last couple of yrs, than Ray.

  Ray running the break was fairly disastrous.

[InfiniteMH]

I hope Ray likes hurricanes.

I don't know why I can't stop laughing at this.

I'm going to hell, and you're coming with me.

[ScottHow]

That's the kind of stance I'd take if he went anywhere else but the Lakers or HEAT. I just can't root for anyone on those two teams.

[Jon]

I just don't understand why he went to Miami, and that has nothing to do with my aversion to the Heat. 

If he had gone to the Clippers or even the Bulls (had they been healthy and gearing up for contending next year) I would've understood.  He would've been going into a situation where he would clearly be the starting SG and have a big role.

Now, I'm not so sure.  I don't see Miami being a great location for him.  He now clearly becomes a role player, quite likely won't start, and gets paid half of what Boston offered while having to disrupt his family. 

I just don't see the sense in the decision. 

It isn't hard to see why. They are the talk of the league, they are the champions, and Ray has a lot of pride as a competitor.
 

stop RIGHT There.....how does joining the "champion" to be a mere role-player really give you any indication that Ray is a competitor?

a real competitor would rather BEAT that team than join them for an easier ride.

Exactly. 

It's not so much I have a problem with him leaving, I could understand (to an extent) why he didn't want to come back here. 

However, Miami doesn't really seem to address any of these issues.  They took him out to dinner.  Great.  Maybe he feels wanted now. 

But I don't see how he starts there and I certainly don't see how he has a bigger role there.  If anything, he'll have a lesser role.  In Boston, none of the stars have ever cared about numbers and shots. 

He won't find that in Miami.  LeBron and Wade will dominate the ball.  He may have some big games, but they'll be as a glorified Eddie House/Mike Miller/James Jones/Shane Battier. 

Again, I could see him wanting to go to Chicago (if Rose was healthy) or the Clippers, where he could be the missing piece that slides into the starting role and taking them into the promised land. 

But all he's done is sign up to

a) come off the bench

b) be a weakside jump shooter

c) ride Wade and LeBron's coattails as a role player

and he's done all that for half the money Boston offered. 

It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me, particularly when he's such a "competitor." 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

[WsAllDay]

he can be successful as long as he's not playing the C's and if he is he's the enemy its that simple!

[byennie]

I think people need to buck up and realize that this is Ray's LIFE. If he's happier finishing his career in Miami, then why shouldn't he choose that? He doesn't owe us anything. He doesn't need the difference in $$, he's made plenty in his career and I would bet he has managed his fortune just fine. For the C's, he was going to be the 4th guard, playing with a point guard that he clashes with.

Yeah it sucks that it had to be Miami, but frankly the CELTICS moved on when they gave the starting job to Bradley AND signed Terry.

I would have rather he signed with us, but all the traitor rage is immature and misguided, IMO.

[dark_lord]

i respect ray, but am disappointed.  i dont wish him well. i root for the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back

[CoachCowens]

I think people need to buck up and realize that this is Ray's LIFE. If he's happier finishing his career in Miami, then why shouldn't he choose that? He doesn't owe us anything. He doesn't need the difference in $$, he's made plenty in his career and I would bet he has managed his fortune just fine. For the C's, he was going to be the 4th guard, playing with a point guard that he clashes with.

Yeah it sucks that it had to be Miami, but frankly the CELTICS moved on when they gave the starting job to Bradley AND signed Terry.

I would have rather he signed with us, but all the traitor rage is immature and misguided, IMO.

It's immature and misguided to condescend.

[BballTim]

I think people need to buck up and realize that this is Ray's LIFE. If he's happier finishing his career in Miami, then why shouldn't he choose that? He doesn't owe us anything. He doesn't need the difference in $$, he's made plenty in his career and I would bet he has managed his fortune just fine. For the C's, he was going to be the 4th guard, playing with a point guard that he clashes with.

Yeah it sucks that it had to be Miami, but frankly the CELTICS moved on when they gave the starting job to Bradley AND signed Terry.

I would have rather he signed with us, but all the traitor rage is immature and misguided, IMO.

  Isn't closely following sports at all immature?