Why did Doc tell us that Ray requested relegation to bench?

[Ogaju]

It is now coming out that Ray did not like the relegation.

Am I the only one that believes that teams should be candid with fans.

Perhaps the `shock of Ray's decision to leave would have been ameliorated if the fans had not been led to believe that Ray requested to come off the bench.

[jambr380]

It's not a bad question, but it is all water under the bridge and Ray is the enemy now. He can say whatever he wants as to why he wanted to leave Boston, but it's really because he freaked out and left his friends and teammates to chase a ring with strangers. Good Riddance, Ray - your legacy in the NBA will never be associated with a definitive team.

[Roy H.]

Here's how I remember it:

1.  Team is playing better without Ray;

2.  Subject of Ray being benched comes up;

3.  Ray at first makes a strange quote, something along the lines of "If it will make the team's offense better, then yeah, I'll go to the bench".

4.  Fans start clamoring very loudly for Bradley to start;

5.  Doc indicates that Ray is fine with coming off the bench.

My thought at the time was that Ray never wanted to come off the bench -- thus, the "if it helps the *offense*" line -- and wasn't particularly happy about being benched, but he tried to be a good soldier.

EDIT:  Here's Ray's quote at the time:

For his part, Allen says he would graciously accept such a move if coach Doc Rivers sees fit.

“If it makes us better offensively, I have no problem with it,” Allen said.

I always thought that was strange, and wondered if it suggested that the benching wasn't as willing as was being reported.  The flip side is perhaps Ray was suggesting that the entire offense would be better if he was the 6th man, but that's never how I read it.

[eugen]

Is hard to find the real truth. As a matter of fact, using Ray Vc Miami Heat, Cs played much better and almost were close to NBA Finals Vs OKC

[Celtics Fan]

Ok so I'm lost where is this coming from? Ray wanted to come off the bench?

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Ok so I'm lost where is this coming from? Ray wanted to come off the bench?

No, from what I remember he was WILLING to if need be... we needed it and Doc made the change (Doc actually wanted to do it the season before). I think the only reason Doc didn't do it sooner, Ray's ego... then when Ray said publicly that he would be fine with it (after that 10-1 stretch when he came back), Doc decided that "maybe" he could handle it (again something he wanted to do long ago). Turns out, he couldn't.  Doc's gut was right the previous season and he didn't make the switch, last season he did it and it backfired this off-season FA.

Some people put up a front for a good public reputation but are different behind closed doors, from what Doc has said makes Ray look just like that... his quotes show the Ray we don't get to interact with. What Doc said is scathing to me but he also said it won't change their friendship... hmm, I don't know about that after what Doc has said (the jealousy stuff).

[ScottHow]

Doc was probably just trying to make Ray look good so he didn't have the media blowing it up in the locker room.

[jacksmedulaoblongata]

Doc was probably just trying to make Ray look good so he didn't have the media blowing it up in the locker room.

this

[Celtics Fan]

Gonna miss Ray. He look so depress in that game 7 press conference. His face was cried out, you know why? Because he knew he was leaving. I watched the game 7 press conference a million times and my wife said he gone. I said no way.

[lightspeed5]

Here's how I remember it:

1.  Team is playing better without Ray;

2.  Subject of Ray being benched comes up;

3.  Ray at first makes a strange quote, something along the lines of "If it will make the team's offense better, then yeah, I'll go to the bench".

4.  Fans start clamoring very loudly for Bradley to start;

5.  Doc indicates that Ray is fine with coming off the bench.

My thought at the time was that Ray never wanted to come off the bench -- thus, the "if it helps the *offense*" line -- and wasn't particularly happy about being benched, but he tried to be a good soldier.

EDIT:  Here's Ray's quote at the time:

For his part, Allen says he would graciously accept such a move if coach Doc Rivers sees fit.

“If it makes us better offensively, I have no problem with it,” Allen said.

I always thought that was strange, and wondered if it suggested that the benching wasn't as willing as was being reported.  The flip side is perhaps Ray was suggesting that the entire offense would be better if he was the 6th man, but that's never how I read it.

that #3 quote by ray.... very telling and thats when things start going south.

the fact that he wasnt ok with being benched is huge. it means he has an ego and he couldnt accept the fact that someone played better than him. thats not what the "big 3" was originally about. it was about sacrifice, and he couldnt sacrifice without his ego  at the end of the day.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't recall the "requested" part. I recall one game when the team was playing well towards the end of the game, and Ray told Doc to keep the team on the floor, but that's about all I remember of anything about "requesting" to be on the bench.

[Celtics Fan]

Here's how I remember it:

1.  Team is playing better without Ray;

2.  Subject of Ray being benched comes up;

3.  Ray at first makes a strange quote, something along the lines of "If it will make the team's offense better, then yeah, I'll go to the bench".

4.  Fans start clamoring very loudly for Bradley to start;

5.  Doc indicates that Ray is fine with coming off the bench.

My thought at the time was that Ray never wanted to come off the bench -- thus, the "if it helps the *offense*" line -- and wasn't particularly happy about being benched, but he tried to be a good soldier.

EDIT:  Here's Ray's quote at the time:

For his part, Allen says he would graciously accept such a move if coach Doc Rivers sees fit.

“If it makes us better offensively, I have no problem with it,” Allen said.

I always thought that was strange, and wondered if it suggested that the benching wasn't as willing as was being reported.  The flip side is perhaps Ray was suggesting that the entire offense would be better if he was the 6th man, but that's never how I read it.

that #3 quote by ray.... very telling and thats when things start going south.

the fact that he wasnt ok with being benched is huge. it means he has an ego and he couldnt accept the fact that someone played better than him. thats not what the "big 3" was originally about. it was about sacrifice, and he couldnt sacrifice without his ego  at the end of the day.

Come on man u are better than that burning his jersey you are stooping down to low class. Burning the man jersey classless where are you from Cleveland get out of here.

[RJ87]

Its called media spin. They didn't want it to look like Ray was being demoted and wanted it to appear that Ray was the gracious vet who stepped aside for the young whipper snapper.

[Celtics Fan]

Boston Be civil lets thank Ray for what he done for us that what The Team is going to do. So it's only right we do it too. I was p---ed but now I'm over it the show must go on. The quest hasn't changed. When he comes to the Garden cheer him but F'd the cHeat!!

[Celtics Fan]

Boston Be civil lets thank Ray for what he done for us that what The Team is going to do. So it's only right we do it too. I was p---ed but now I'm over it the show must go on. The quest hasn't changed. When he comes to the Garden cheer him but F'd the cHeat!!

Then once the tip off is done..... Ray you know what time it is.