Would you take Ray Allen back? Why or why not?

[17wasEZ]

Seeing Allen's playoff stats has left me wondering.  Was it a good thing that he didn't re-sign for $6M per year for 2 years?  Since the Milwaukee series, Allen is averaging 7.3 points per game against CHI and Indy and is shooting 25-75 (33%) from the floor including 11-41 (27%) from 3-point land.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3080

I guess what I want to know is if Allen is a total flop in game 7 and the Heat get eliminated, would you take him back next year if he wanted to return?  He can opt out this offseason.  Do you think he could have made a difference this past season?  It seems as though he is finding out that he's not starter material anymore and that maybe Danny did have a point after all.  I know he comes off the bench for MIA as their 6th man, but deep down I'm sure he feels that he could start on most other teams.

After the Celtics were eliminated, I stopped watching basketball.  I have been keeping up with various stats though.  I have also been reading articles regarding the C's offseason and future.

[Rickretro]

I would rather have a fish bone inserted in my eye than to see Ray Allen in green again. I consider him to be a traitor who took less to hop on the Bron bron bandwagon. He turned his back on us. I do not ever want him to darken our doorway again.

[toine83]

Allen for Terry? Sounds good to me

[Afam]

Deleted.

[bfrombleacher]

No. Once you put on that heat uniform, you should never wear a celtics uniform ever again. Once that betrayer went to the heat, I lost all respect I had for him.

Posey!

But yes, Ray Allen should not come back.

[BleedGreen1989]

It wouldn't make sense chemistry wise and basketball wise.

Not to mention, him and Jet had very similar stats this season (for all the flak Terry gets around here)

[Chief]

The guy has been washed up for a few years. So no.

[thirstyboots18]

I said last year  when Allen left that I thought he was doing the Celtics a big favor by taking the decision out of Danny's hands.  He said at the beginning of this season that his ankles were still not right, and would probably bother him all season.  That might be one reason for the fall off in production.  Well, that and age (wear and tear).  His leaving is one reason I feel the Celtics have already got the rebuilding started.  (That does not mean that I want Pierce or Garnett to leave!  They can continue with the in house moderating of the newer Celtics and ease the transition.    )

[diconzo]

I wouldn't want Ray back, but his low % shooting is probably because Spolestra gave him a brand new "offensive freedom" he didn't have with Doc. Doc knew his mid range & post up game had left a long time ago. Any time Ray Allen doesn't catch & shoot, he hits back rim, just watch.

[crimson_stallion]

There have been times where I've thought maybe...but ultimately I have to say no.

It's not because of any of this 'traitor' garbage people are talking about either.  That honesltly means nothing at the end of the day, because all you should care about is whether the player makes you better and increased your chance of winning a title.

At this stage I have to say no, he doesn't.  Ray and Pierce IMHO have taken very similar paths the last two seasons.  Both of them simply know how to score and how to shoot, and there's no denying that.  However, both of them seem to be at the point where their bodies can no longer handle all of the things that they, mentally, still feel they can do.  They can both still be deadly, but only in stretches - these days they are both struggling to shoot the ball consistently.

The difference though is that Pierce was never super athletic, and his advantages were always his size, his strength, and his offensive IQ.  He's a step slower but he's still big enough, strong enough and smart enough to be productive offensively and defensively. 

Also unlike Allen, Pierce continues to be an outstanding passer and rebounder, so even if he's not scoring he can still contribute.  Allen's shooting / scoring is really all he has to offer, so when he's not scoring he's a liability on the court.

As average a season as Terry had he doesn't look anywhere near as old, rusty and washed up as Allen does.  He still looks well conditioned and still has decent atleticism, he just seemed like he struggled to fit find a clear role.  When he's hot Terry can be as deadly as Ray can (as he showed a few times in the playoffs) and unlike Ray he has the ability to play multiple positions which IMO is a huge benefit.

Also Ray is older, and you are looking at a celtics team that is trying to tread the fine line of getting younger (for the future) while still building a roster that can complete for a title.  Adding Ray makes us older, when we really want to be getting younger.

If he never left, then I'd have loved to see Ray here if only to see him retire a Celtic along with Pierce and KG, and finish up the entire era together.  Ray already broke that sentimental reason when he left, and he just doesn't have the talent anymore to bring him back on ability alone.

[Mazingerz]

no in the strongest sense of the word. he betrayed what is was like  to be a celtic. No loyalty sheesh. At this point, id rather we give terry another try.

[WeMadeIt17]

No maybe years down the road when he retires or something but no. I cannot stand that he went to the heat. Worst place he could have gone. Although would have been just as mad if he went to the knicks or lakers. Other then that he could have gone anywhere else. Spurs,Memphis,Dallas,Houston anywhere. I am glad he is under performing because all these heat fans were laughing in my face.   No cursing please.

[timpiker]

I would rather have a fish bone inserted in my eye than to see Ray Allen in green again. I consider him to be a traitor who took less to hop on the Bron bron bandwagon. He turned his back on us. I do not ever want him to darken our doorway again.

DITTO WHAT HE SAID.  TIMES A MILLION.

[moiso]

I wouldn't mind him as an end of the bench shooter, but not for anything more than that.  Unless it looks like we will be competing for a title next year, I wouldn't even want him for that.

I would forgive him for leaving the first time, as long as I know that his ego has diminished since then.

I wonder how long Ray will keep going.  Every year his status slips even more.

[clover]

The one year the 'New Big Three' won it all, it is a wonder they overcame his disastrous first couple of series to get there.

I don't actually begrudge him going to Miami and a chance to win, if that's what he wanted to do (at least he had a realistic take on the C's chances this year). 

But filling the press's ears with bitter complaints about Rondo and Doc and Bradley and his role was more than enough for me.  Add in that what defense he had and opted to play for a few years is gone, his offensive role and capabilities are limited, though sometimes still elite in his sweet spot, and I don't want any part of him--on a contending team, let alone a rebuilding one.