I just told my girlfriend that Ray left the Celtics. She went "awww... Why?"... Then I told her the team he went to was the Heat... And she looked legitimately shocked. "What!?... Really?!".
I explained: "Well... They tried to trade him a few months ago"... Her immediate reaction: "Ooh. That makes sense. Pride is Pride"
Pretty simple, really. I didn't even need to get into the drama with Rondo, the fact they benched him for an unproven 2nd year undersized guard, the fact this was the second time they tried to trade his expiring contract, the fact they gave 15 million to another shooting guard when our clear need was size... None of that was necessary. As an outsider to
Hardcore sports fandom, she immediately got it. Pride is pride.
If you want to cut to the chase..
People had no problem with possibly trading Ray. People had no problem with Bradley starting in front of him. People had no problem dumping on Ray when he would have bad games while playing with bad ankles. People had no problem if the Celtics didnt resign him (once Terry, an upgrade I might add was signed).
People are only upset because he went to the Heat. What was the ONLY other team looking at Ray Allen? Memphis! Guess who started to inquire late about Ray Allen..........THE LAKERS! (according to some reports/reporters on twitter)
You're 37, you still think you have some years left.....do you really want to go to Memphis and play out your last years? So what...you could get stomped by the Thunder, Lakers, Spurs or Clippers in the 2nd round?
Celtics fans would have had no problem if that was his fate. Ray may be everything negative people say about him. That doesnt mean he didnt have reason to leave Boston. He saw FIRST HAND...how Bradley was now starting over him. He saw the Celtics SIGNED Jason Terry who automatically takes mins from him. He KNEW the Celtics were going to give a player who has proven far less in his career and in a Celtics jersey, Jeff Green, between 8-10 million dollars. Basically 3 million more than he would get.
So he said screw it. Im 37, I can still play. I want to try and win a ring. And I wouldnt mind playing golf doing it.
I have no problem with people wanting Ray gone. But save the LOYALTY stuff. The Celtics tried to get rid of him. Yes, they did with Pierce and KG. But in Ray's view they were always viewed higher than him anyway. Even though he's been a good soldier about everything. Not even mentioning his spats with Rondo.
He's a 37 year old spot up SG now. WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL PEOPLE!?!?
It hurts he signs with a rival. But move on. We upgraded. Ray WAS classy as a Celtic. He felt it was best to move on and find peace. Wish him well and hope our team beats his team. Thats all