Ray did a good job screwing the team over

[jgod213]

We don't, and probably won't, ever know everything that was done & said between Ray and other celtic players/management.  What we do know is that Ray was shopped for Monta Ellis, OJ Mayo, and probably several more players as well.  In the end, i think that his uncertain future here, mixed with his playoff struggles, family stuff, changing role, and other behind-the-scenes things ultimately lead him to the decision that it was time for something new.

We as fans (and the media) like to simplify arguements with things like "Ray wanted to screw the celtics" or "ray and rondo don't like eachother," but in the end i think it's probably a combination of a lot more than that.

Also, i believe that one of the things he will miss the most and hates to leave behind are us fans - he will learn more about that once he steps on the floor in Miami.  The comments he made after that game 6 loss tells the story.  

But ultimately he doesn't owe us fans anything.  He helped bring us a banner, and for that i will stand and cheer my ass off (be it at the game or at home) the very first time he enters the game at the Garden.  He earned that.

From then-after, i will boo him mercilessly.  I think that Ray Allen deserves this and i think he wouldn't want it any other way.

Thank you #20, and may you never see another ring.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

If we get LEE ray won't be missed.

This.

He's not a better shooter, especially off screen than Ray is, but he'll fill in a hole. Especially defensively.

OT:

I was just listening to yesterday's Mike and Mike. Michael Smith said "the Celtics SHOULD BOO Ray Allen when he returns to the Garden." Love it.

[Interceptor]

It's not a "fact" when you use language like "screwing the team over".

That's why I said that it was "basically" a matter of fact. I didn't insert that modifier because I get paid by the word. Once you get past the hyperbole, it's essentially true.

Ray didn't screw anybody, because he never did anything underhanded.  He told the team he was exploring his options, and he did so.  That's not a screw job, that's an open market decision.  It's no different than a guy who works at Staples deciding to leave to a job at Kinko's, because it's closer to home and he prefers the employee discount.

Sure, as long as Staples gives you a counter-offer with exactly what you were asking for in the first place, at double the money, at which point you raise your demands even further to the point of making it impossible for Staples to accept, and then walk. Am I properly torturing this analogy?

A screw job to someone's face, telegraphed in advance and within the bounds of the rules, is still a screw job. It's called "Lawful Evil".

[Roy H.]

It's not a "fact" when you use language like "screwing the team over".

That's why I said that it was "basically" a matter of fact. I didn't insert that modifier because I get paid by the word. Once you get past the hyperbole, it's essentially true.

Um, sure.  "Basically a fact" means "not a fact".  I'm not sure what your point is, but I do appreciate the sneakiness. 

Ray made a personal decision.  The Celtics had no right to expect him to come back, as he never made a commitment to them.  That's not a screw job or "lawful evil" at all.  It's a free agent making a free agent decision.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm sorry - those of us who may think that IF we get Lee he will be a "White Horse", will be in for a rude awakening.

Sure - he's younger. sure - he's a "good" shooter. He's probably a better scorer than Ray (at least I hope).

I just haven't seen a lot of him to know - yet.

He will probably be a better defender, even though he will need to be taught the Celtics system of defense.

That won't happen overnight.

But he certainly won't replace Ray Allen's shooting - no one will. I certainly hope we get him, but for the time being our spacing just shrank a bit.

With that being said I pretty much share Roy's sentiment.

[fairweatherfan]

All of this depends on whether Ray can stay healthy.  Healthy Ray is still a dangerous player, especially in a complementary role like Miami will ask him to play.  Injured Ray is a liability on D, tends to be inconsistent even with open looks, and loses what little ability to drive and create shots he has left.

If Ray can't hold up over an 82-game season and multiple playoff series anymore, it's not a major loss for us.  If he can, that's a big weapon taken out of our arsenal.  Unfortunately for Ray and Miami, foot and ankle injuries tend to get worse over time, and hurt shooters more than any other skill set. 

Only time will tell, though.

[AshyLarry]

I'm just saying, it could be worse. Dwight Howard legitimately ruined a franchise and put them down on their knees, praying that he comes back, then a short time later begging for a good player in return for him.

Ray's a role player at this point, and no matter how much I loved him on the C's, he's replaceable when it comes down to it. His clutch shooting down the stretch will be what's missed most. But whatever, screw him.

We just have to beat Miami in los playoffs to make some people shut up. (generally speaking)

[GreenFaith1819]

Those of us talking about Ray being a role player - isn't that what Courtney Lee will probably be for BOS (provided we can get him)?

The pecking order will probably be: Rondo-Paul-KG as far as offense. Bass probably after that.

That leaves Courtney Lee - 5th option.

All of this is just speculation and guessing on my part, but again Courtney Lee won't awe us with his offensive abilities. He's good, and I hope we can get him, but there will have to be some adjustments made.

[RockinRyA]

Those of us talking about Ray being a role player - isn't that what Courtney Lee will probably be for BOS (provided we can get him)?

The pecking order will probably be: Rondo-Paul-KG as far as offense. Bass probably after that.

That leaves Courtney Lee - 5th option.

All of this is just speculation and guessing on my part, but again Courtney Lee won't awe us with his offensive abilities. He's good, and I hope we can get him, but there will have to be some adjustments made.

ray hasnt been aweing me for a while now either. heck he even missed a whole lot of open shot prior to his injury

[ScottHow]

You can tell that Wyc is still p---ed about Ray's decision to leave:

http://www.csnne.com/pages/celticsvideo?PID=uvXM2-_LhkoYtAcbzae9XKMqMTZZYUKgBrmCHM

Thanks for the the post. He sounded pretty irritated as he should be.

As far as Ray screwing us over...I'd venture to guess that most free agents aren't interested in setting up their former team for success.

[cltc5]

If we get LEE ray won't be missed.

This.

He's not a better shooter, especially off screen than Ray is, but he'll fill in a hole. Especially defensively.

OT:

I was just listening to yesterday's Mike and Mike. Michael Smith said "the Celtics SHOULD BOO Ray Allen when he returns to the Garden." Love it.

Well Smith is in the media which thrives on controversy.  The classy thing would be to applaud Ray like we did Perk and Baby.  Celtics will rise above it and the team can show it by being gracious then going out kicking their butt and taking another banner!

[Finkelskyhook]

It's not a "fact" when you use language like "screwing the team over".

That's why I said that it was "basically" a matter of fact. I didn't insert that modifier because I get paid by the word. Once you get past the hyperbole, it's essentially true.

Um, sure.  "Basically a fact" means "not a fact".  I'm not sure what your point is, but I do appreciate the sneakiness.  

This has a feel of Bill Clinton's famous  "Depends what the meaning of "is" is".

[ACF]

We'll be fine.

I second that notion.

[Interceptor]

Um, sure.  "Basically a fact" means "not a fact".  I'm not sure what your point is, but I do appreciate the sneakiness. 

My point, is that the thread is the truth: we were screwed over by Allen's decision. There isn't any defense of that loss, it's the way of the CBA. I said that it's "basically" a matter of fact, because there was a little bit of hyperbole in there on the part of the OP.

Ray made a personal decision.  The Celtics had no right to expect him to come back, as he never made a commitment to them.  That's not a screw job or "lawful evil" at all.  It's a free agent making a free agent decision.

Nobody said that the C's had a right to expect him back, or that it wasn't a personal decision, or any other non sequitur that might be in the pipeline, up to and including what Doc Rivers ate for breakfast. The consequences of his actions can't be uncoupled from the right to make the decision in the first place. Nobody's gonna buy that Allen didn't fully understand what would come of his choice, particularly because of the tall mountain called Three Years Twenty-Seven Million, Take That Ainge.

Allen is Boba Fett, except not as cool, and with fewer action figures.

[tonyto3690]

**** that.  We **** and moan all the time about professional athletes sticking it out for every last dime.  Ray Allen left a good amount of money to go to what he felt was a better situation for him, professionally, and now we're going to complain that he did so?

Thank you, Ray Allen, for being a professional in your five years here.  Thank you for 2008.  Thank you for coming off the bench, even though it killed your pride.  Thank you for not complaining publicly when Danny tried to trade you last year.  Thank you for not undermining the team; from all accounts, last year's locker room was as good as 2008, despite your personal frustrations.  Thank you for playing hurt last year (likely hurting your market value this summer), because even playing at 60% or 70% on bad ankles we needed you.

We'll move forward.

No.  The best decision for his family would be to take the money and stay near the doctors your son, with a dangerous disease, has.

Rays decision wasn't to go to the Clippers for a starting gig.
Rays decision wasn't to go to the Wolves for more money.

Rays decision was "I don't like you guys so I'm going to join the enemy and show you that you should have appreciated me more".

It was just a diva move based on giving the finger to Rondo, Pierce, and the Celtics.