So if its 'just a business', and you're okay with what the Celtics did regarding Ray during the '12 season (I am), how is it different if Ray wasn't okay with being treated that way and wanted to go to a new employer? Isn't that just as much 'just business'?
Nope. It was personal.
Its a double standard.
From my perspective as a fan, I'm going to admit to having a bit of a double standard on this. It's Danny Ainge's job to continuously be wheeling and dealing with the players that we come to love on the court. I think I probably dislike that aspect of the sport more than most around here. But, unfortunately, I understand that this is Ainge's job, and if he was just sitting still, saying, "I love all these guys. None of them are going anywhere, ever" that he probably wouldn't have his job for very long.
Ray Allen's job, on the other hand, is to be a basketball player. It's a very different job. His job is to put on the jersey and go out and compete and fight with his teammates. I always hope that these guys develop a relationship on the court that gives them a kind of bond that Danny Ainge, the guy in the suit doing the wheeling and dealing, can't and shouldn't have with the players.
Maybe that's naiive. I don't know, but I feel like Ray Allen turned his back on his teammates and the coaching staff. To me, it's not really about his relationship with upper management or even us fans.
He left the guys. It's as simple as that for me. And now he's no longer one of them.