Doc takes Blame for Ray leavin

[Mr October]

NBA superstars don't accept loosing their skills gracefully. Ray can still shoot, but he finally became too slow, injury prone, predictable to handle a big role. Doc made the right choice.

And as classy as Ray is, he didn't say the right things on the way out the door. He couldn't. A superstar can't let go of what they once were. It goes against their DNA. He was in a no win situation - backed into a corner by his own ego.

What he did for Boston in 2007-2012 was awesome. But going forward the team is going to be better with Rondo remaining in control, and sharing the back court with Bradley, Terry, Lee, as well as a little Pierce and Green.

[GreenFaith1819]

NBA superstars don't accept loosing their skills gracefully. Ray can still shoot, but he finally became too slow, injury prone, predictable to handle a big role. Doc made the right choice.

And as classy as Ray is, he didn't say the right things on the way out the door. He couldn't. A superstar can't let go of what they once were. It goes against their DNA. He was in a no win situation - backed into a corner by his own ego.

What he did for Boston in 2007-2012 was awesome. But going forward the team is going to be better with Rondo remaining in control, and sharing the back court with Bradley, Terry, Lee, as well as a little Pierce and Green.

Well, to be honest, I think if Ray would've accepted a role as a sixth man the team would've been better.

I love Jet, but Ray would've been a better 6th man.

If he would've stayed, I imagine he would've probably finished some games.

[tonyto3690]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics--doc-rivers-takes-blame-for-ray-allen-leaving-celtics-for-heat-.html


For all of those who tried to scream how Ray was doing what was best for him, and wasn't making his decision because of petty ego, you're wrong.  Doc paints a pretty accurate light of what really happened and what he thinks about it. 

Ray left because his ego couldn't handle it, because he was being selfish, and because he wanted his feet kissed.  Is he a professional?  Still can't really say he isn't from what we know as he never publicly demanded more playing time or spouted his complaints of Rondo to the media.

But it is undeniable now that his ego was a detriment to the team.  On a team that preaches ubuntu and team-first, his demands completely go against that.

[GreenFaith1819]

There's another thread discussing discussing the article, I think.

The way I read it, Doc wasn't ripping into Ray Allen.

[Interceptor]

I find it funny that there is a thread in Around the NBA with this same link, but it's framed as "Doc takes blame" rather than "Doc rips that guy that used to play SG for us".

[Boris Badenov]

Interesting how this has evolved.

I mean, as recently as the trade deadline last year, the rumor was that the Celts were trying to unload Rondo because of his "clashes" with Doc.

Sounds like that might not have been the big problem.

[tonyto3690]

There's another thread discussing discussing the article, I think.

The way I read it, Doc wasn't ripping into Ray Allen.

I really don't see how it isn't.

"I did what was best for the team, and Ray couldn't handle coming off the bench and not being a primary voice in the lockerroom".

That's as close to "his ego couldn't handle a reduced role due to age" as possible.

[GreenFaith1819]

I find it funny that there is a thread in Around the NBA with this same link, but it's framed as "Doc takes blame" rather than "Doc rips that guy that used to play SG for us".

Yep.

To me, it's how you present what Doc River stated.

To me, Doc accepting blame is a bit more classy than Doc ripping into a player.

[AB_Celtic]

There's another thread discussing discussing the article, I think.

The way I read it, Doc wasn't ripping into Ray Allen.

I really don't see how it isn't.

"I did what was best for the team, and Ray couldn't handle coming off the bench and not being a primary voice in the lockerroom".

That's as close to "his ego couldn't handle a reduced role due to age" as possible.

No... Doc never said there was anything wrong with that. As a hardworking veteran, all-time 3pt leader, and future hall-of-famer, Ray Allen has the right to look out for his best interests. If he wasn't finding them in Boston, then he also has the right to leave. Doc understands this, and has no problem with it. This is the furthest thing from ripping into Ray.

[Interceptor]

I really don't see how it isn't.

Doc could have put this on Allen, or even on Rondo, but he very specifically did not go that far. Instead, he says that ultimately the endgame was a result of the decisions that he made.

I mean, he maintains that they were the right decisions, but he didn't need to say any of this.

[Celts Fan 92]

so u just gon jack my thread nd not gimme any royalties lls u sir get dis

[CelticsFan9]

Doc is one classy guy.

The best part of this article was when he said nobody told him that Avery shouldn't be starting.  That basically sums up the whole situation:

Avery worked for us.  That didn't work for Ray.  He left.  The end.

[KGs Knee]

He didn't rip Allen, but it is a backhanded way of accepting blame.

Doc basically says, "it's my fault Ray couldn't accept what was best for the team".  It's backhanded.

It's sort of strange, only because it's unecessary.  Doc's trying to be gracious, but ultimately shows his true feelings.

[KGs Knee]

so u just gon jack my thread nd not gimme any royalties lls u sir get dis

Yeah, threads should be merged.  Same subject matter, just framed differently.

People should really make sure of these things before positing new threads.  It's poor form.  Mistakes do happen though.

[KGs Knee]

This really isn't very gracious at all.

Doc's tries to, but it's actually a backhanded dig at Allen.

"It's my fault you couldn't handle it"?  That screams of backhandedness.