Why are we forgetting that Ray was our worst defender?

[shaydon]

Ray's defense last year was at an all time low. He also has basically lost his dribble and would turn it over every time he put it on the floor. Its no coincidence that the team started playing its best when he got hurt.

Nostalgia takes over during the offseason, and sure we'll miss his clutch 3's, but the team made the right decision to cut ties...

[the_Bird]

I don't see how Ray Allen is possibly going to be able to keep up with Avery Bradley.  If Bradley maintains his level of play from last season (pre-injury), he should be able to absolutely abuse Ray.  Now, some of Ray's defensive issues are probably related to the ankles, but even if they heal Bradley's just going to bust them all over again.

[mctyson]

I am not forgetting this.  More minutes for Avery Bradley is exactly what I wanted next year.  Thanks Ray!

[OsirusCeltics]

Ray's defense last year was at an all time low. He also has basically lost his dribble and would turn it over every time he put it on the floor. Its no coincidence that the team started playing its best when he got hurt.

Nostalgia takes over during the offseason, and sure we'll miss his clutch 3's, but the team made the right decision to cut ties...

Exactly, this is what I have been saying. Nostalgia makes fans think this is the 2008/2009 Ray Allen
For the last two years he has been HORRIBLE on defense. It's not a coincidence when Avery Bradley came in the lineup, him and Rondo performed the fast break game to perfection with their defense

[CelticG1]

I always thought this was way overblown.

In any case has anyone ever seen jason terry play defense? He literally can't guard anyone

[droopdog7]

I don't see how Ray Allen is possibly going to be able to keep up with Avery Bradley.  If Bradley maintains his level of play from last season (pre-injury), he should be able to absolutely abuse Ray.  Now, some of Ray's defensive issues are probably related to the ankles, but even if they heal Bradley's just going to bust them all over again.

Except that Avery is only okay and getting his own shot.  If our plan to to isolate Avery against Ray, then we need to think again.

I agree that Avery may be a better overall player than Ray at this point but let's not go overboard here. 

Also, I keep hearing how Avery would positively shut down Ray.  No single defender has ever really done that to Ray so this expectataion is off as well.

Having Ray and Avery I think is better than having just Avery.

[the_Bird]

I don't see how Ray Allen is possibly going to be able to keep up with Avery Bradley.  If Bradley maintains his level of play from last season (pre-injury), he should be able to absolutely abuse Ray.  Now, some of Ray's defensive issues are probably related to the ankles, but even if they heal Bradley's just going to bust them all over again.

Except that Avery is only okay and getting his own shot.  If our plan to to isolate Avery against Ray, then we need to think again.

I agree that Avery may be a better overall player than Ray at this point but let's not go overboard here.  

Also, I keep hearing how Avery would positively shut down Ray.  No single defender has ever really done that to Ray so this expectataion is off as well.

Having Ray and Avery I think is better than having just Avery.

Well, you aren't running isos for AB, but when he cuts to the basket Ray's new teammates better be ready to help out.  

Ray Allen's offense has gotten a lot less efficient, just in terms of how long it takes him to get open.  If Miami wants to run plays for him where he's running off a half-dozen screens and eating up the shot clock and keep the ball out of LeBron/Wade's hands, go right ahead.  How many defenders are better than AB at sticking with their guy, getting through screens and staying on the shooting hand than AB?  Ray'll still get some shots off, but he's going to work for them.  

[droopdog7]

I don't see how Ray Allen is possibly going to be able to keep up with Avery Bradley.  If Bradley maintains his level of play from last season (pre-injury), he should be able to absolutely abuse Ray.  Now, some of Ray's defensive issues are probably related to the ankles, but even if they heal Bradley's just going to bust them all over again.

Except that Avery is only okay and getting his own shot.  If our plan to to isolate Avery against Ray, then we need to think again.

I agree that Avery may be a better overall player than Ray at this point but let's not go overboard here.  

Also, I keep hearing how Avery would positively shut down Ray.  No single defender has ever really done that to Ray so this expectataion is off as well.

Having Ray and Avery I think is better than having just Avery.

Well, you aren't running isos for AB, but when he cuts to the basket Ray's new teammates better be ready to help out.  

Ray Allen's offense has gotten a lot less efficient, just in terms of how long it takes him to get open.  If Miami wants to run plays for him where he's running off a half-dozen screens and eating up the shot clock and keep the ball out of LeBron/Wade's hands, go right ahead.  How many defenders are better than AB at sticking with their guy, getting through screens and staying on the shooting hand than AB?  Ray'll still get some shots off, but he's going to work for them.  

Avery isn't superman.  Ray has routinely gotten his against the likes of kobe, wade, bowen, and any other great defender you can think of.  Obviously Ray has slowed done but people talking like Avery will simply shut Ray down are being extreme.

In terms of Ray's role in Miami, what most celt fans don't seem to realize is that Ray running around like he does put's pressure on the ENTIRE defense.  It is not just about getting shots for him, but forcing the defense to work together, which can lead to openings in other places.

But I have the sneaking suspicion that Ray will be asked to stand in the corner a lot to open up lanes for wade and lebron (which is exactly what will happen).  In that case, Avery's defense would essentially be wasted on Ray.

And yeah, avery cuts to the basket.  While that's great, it is a fairly one-dimensional aspect that can easily be guarded by anyone in the NBA.  All they have to do is be weary of it and not cheat.  Being weary of it can certainly help the rest of the offense but it isn't particularly difficult to stop in and of itself.

[GreenFaith1819]

.....and why are we forgetting that Ray was our BEST Shooter?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

.....and why are we forgetting that Ray was our BEST Shooter?

Maybe because he didn't shot the ball well during the playoffs?

[GreenFaith1819]

.....and why are we forgetting that Ray was our BEST Shooter?

Maybe because he didn't shot the ball well during the playoffs?

...or maybe that was because he chose to tough it out and play through it at about 60%, being that he was injured?

His injury to his ankle threw all of his mechanics off - this has been discussed ad infinitum.

[satch]

I agree.....Ray Allen is at the point in his career that his lack of defense makes his offense a wash. I do believe his going to Miami is good for  the Heat. I also believe  his leaving the C's is good for the Celtics. Once again a wash for both teams.

[clover]

Ray's defense last year was at an all time low. He also has basically lost his dribble and would turn it over every time he put it on the floor. Its no coincidence that the team started playing its best when he got hurt.

Nostalgia takes over during the offseason, and sure we'll miss his clutch 3's, but the team made the right decision to cut ties...

Exactly, this is what I have been saying. Nostalgia makes fans think this is the 2008/2009 Ray Allen
For the last two years he has been HORRIBLE on defense. It's not a coincidence when Avery Bradley came in the lineup, him and Rondo performed the fast break game to perfection with their defense

Yep, it's no accident that at the start of the year, when KG and PP were just warming up and RA was supposedly one of their best players, they kept losing because of horrendous defense--and Danny and Doc kept reiterating that it was poor guard defense putting pressure on the defense at the basket.

[shaydon]

I always thought this was way overblown.

In any case has anyone ever seen jason terry play defense? He literally can't guard anyone

You're right, Terry isnt a great defender. The difference is Ray wanted to be a starter here, while Terry knows his role as the 6th man and isn't required to be a great 1st team defender.

If Ray was cool with being a shooter off the bench then he'd be on the team right now. He couldn't accept a demotion on the same team.

[shaydon]

Ray Allen's offense has gotten a lot less efficient, just in terms of how long it takes him to get open.  If Miami wants to run plays for him where he's running off a half-dozen screens and eating up the shot clock and keep the ball out of LeBron/Wade's hands, go right ahead.  How many defenders are better than AB at sticking with their guy, getting through screens and staying on the shooting hand than AB?  Ray'll still get some shots off, but he's going to work for them.  

well he won't necessarily be running off screens in miami. they get better dribble penetration than the C's offense, so Ray just needs to hang by the 3 point line and be ready to shoot. The Heat had 3 point shooters open all playoffs long, and it wasn't because of multiple screens.