About 35% of the fans on Celticsblog think Allen's number should be retired

[chenaren]

http://www.celticsblog.com/2014/3/19/5527676/ray-allen-on-possibility-of-boston-celtics-retiring-his-number-it



I mean... seriously?

Let's not consider how his legacy here has been influenced by the decision of joining the super team we couldn't beat, because it's hard to judge fairly. From strictly a basketball standpoint, Allen was at best only the 3rd fiddle on the team during his 5 years in Boston, and didn't win multiple champions in spite of the great expectations. Undeniably, he had major contribution to the only title they won in '08, but the FMVP was still a toss between Pierce and KG. Moreover, to be straight, he kind of choked in the two of most defining playoff series during the big 3 era, which were the '10 finals vs Lakers, and the '12 ECF vs Heat.

From my point of view, it would already be a little bit of stretch to retire KG's number. Why should Allen's jersey be retired then? I wonder if the people among the 35% could share their thoughts in this thread.

[Celtics4ever]

I would not even consider it until he retires folks. 

[Rhyso]

I think if his number was retired, it would be based on his whole career rather than just what he did with the Celtics. What other team is going to retire his number? It wouldn't surprise me that a team would want him up there because he is the greatest 3 point shooter of all time.

While I agree he probably didn't play long enough or achieve enough with the team, is that really his fault? That team was a legit contender for 5 years and other players injuries that stopped him getting another ring.

Not sure how I would feel about it if it happened today though, post retirement will give a clearer picture of Rays career and where his legacy truly was.

[pearljammer10]

It wouldn't surprise me to see the Celts retire it just because they retire everything. But when I think Ray Allen, one team doesn't really come to mind enough (especially the Celtics) to have his number retired here IMO.

I can say that I am pretty sure Tommy is completely against it.

Last night telecast after talking about how Ray would feel honored to have number retired in Boston:

Mike, "Any thoughts on that one Tommy."

Tommy, "No."

[Monkhouse]

I was in the 65% that said no.

Yes at some point I REALLY mulled and contemplated this.

Regardless, of how badly Allen choked and everything, that the Banner wouldn't have ever been in fruition, and we wouldn't have been contenders for 4-5 years if Allen wasn't here.

Hate him all you want, but he at least deserves the utmost recognition. We didn't exactly do him any justice, but I wouldn't want his jersey retired, and I don't think he deserves it anyways.

[D.o.s.]

It wouldn't surprise me to see the Celts retire it just because they retire everything. But when I think Ray Allen, one team doesn't really come to mind enough (especially the Celtics) to have his number retired here IMO.

I can say that I am pretty sure Tommy is completely against it.

Last night telecast after talking about how Ray would feel honored to have number retired in Boston:

Mike, "Any thoughts on that one Tommy."

Tommy, "No."

I'm pretty sure Tommy's gone on record saying that they should retire Ray's number before.

[Mr October]

I missed that poll. Ray should not have his number retired here. He didn't accomplish enough individually to be retired. You have to have a cut off somewhere, or there will be no numbers left!

He was a bubble all star, and great role player.

[Fred Roberts]

You could retire it based on the whole of his career + the 5 strong years (w/ 3 EC finals trips, 2 finals trips, 1 championship) in Boston. 5 years on its own don't seem to be enough to qualify though. Given he's a HOF'er, perhaps yes. He was huge those 5 years too.

If you solely judge him as a Celtic, you could argue Antione Walker had a better, more productive career in Boston. 'Toine had 8 years. Toine had over 11,000 points in green, averaging 20.6 per game, 9 boards, 4 assists. Those were 8 good years  .. .. even if it didn't produce tons of wins and great after taste . .. but he was the man for a longer time. 

[csfansince60s]

I missed that poll. Ray should not have his number retired here. He didn't accomplish enough individually to be retired. You have to have a cut off somewhere, or there will be no numbers left!

He was a bubble all star, and great role player.

I missed it too, and I'm in the 65% and I highly doubt that # is reflective of celticsblog.

[sahara]

I don't know, he was the third best player for the Celtics and that earned him (and the Celtics) 1 chip. He was very good with the Bucks and the Sonics.

But if it wasn't for him, the Heat wouldn't have won their last chip. I have a feeling that his first championship will be just a footnote when it's all said & done. Let the other teams have his number up there.

[Eddie20]

I think a tougher question is what team is he going to enter the HOF with?

6.5 yrs Milwaukee (longest tenure)
4.5 yrs Seattle (career years)
5 yrs Boston (NBA title)

[soap07]

I'm a pretty big pro-Ray guy. I guess you could say I'm pro-Rayted. do you see what I did there?

That being said, I don't think he deserves having his number retired. You retire him, you have to start talking about the Antoine Walkers of the world.

[quidinqui33]

Whether the Celtics retire Ray's number or not, should not be such a contentious thing for so many people.  If the Celts retire his number, why be upset by that?  Let Ray enjoy that moment for what he did while he was here.  If you are happy for his number being retired, cheer him.  If you are not, shrug your shoulders and move on. 

Regardless of how you feel about his number, I don't think anyone can deny what Ray did for the Celtics while he was here, or the individual milestones he reached while he was here.  Pretending like Ray was merely a third fiddle on our team would be like calling DJ a 4th fiddle.  On top of that, if that Ray trade does not happen, that KG trade does not happen, and #18 does not happen the way it did.

And to say this team did no meet expectations is absurd.  The team had a three year window by all accounts, and won it in their first year.  Went to a game 7 in another finals, and went to a game 7 in a conference finals all after KG and others got injured.  And I am pretty sure Ray had many more big shots than choke moments while he was with us.  During that last run, Ray played through bone spurs the last half of the season.  Also, no one can deny that after Ray left, the team was just different.  The spacing he brought was priceless.

I think it is totally fine to hate on Ray for leaving the Celts for our rival while we were still trying to contend, but at some point, you even have to move on from that seeing how things have played out for the Celts since.  Retire his number, don't retire his number, let the Celtics decide.  But to deny what Ray did for us while he was here, that's just sour grapes.

[PhoSita]

He wasn't here long enough, or good enough while he was here, to warrant having his number retired.

If he had finished out his career here and been a team guy through and through, maybe I could see it as a good will kind of thing.  But that's not how it went, and probably never was a realistic outcome seeing as Pierce and Garnett didn't end up staying here, either.

[csfansince60s]

I think it is totally fine to hate on Ray for leaving the Celts for our rival while we were still trying to contend, but at some point, you even have to move on from that seeing how things have played out for the Celts since..........But to deny what Ray did for us while he was here, that's just sour grapes.

Benedict Arnold did great things for the American Revolution, too, until he decided to turn West Point over to the British.

Were his original good deeds undone? No, of course not, but history doesn't look too kindly on traitors. Leave your friends (PP and KG who nixed the Mayo deal to keep him) to join the enemy? Ask KG how he feels about his "buddy" Ray.