In case you missed it, UConn alum Ray Allen chose to end his 5-year tenure with the Boston Celtics last week in favor of signing a new contract with the defending champion Miami Heat. The Hartford Courant’s Jeff Jacobs solicited feedback from UConn fans to see if Allen’s defection impacted their feelings towards him. You can find a brief quote from me towards the end of page 2 but you can read my full opinion below:
In my opinion, the Heat presented the greatest opportunity for Allen. Boston represented familiarity, probably some family comfort, and the chance to expand upon his legacy in a city that values history (and championships).
But you know Ray. He is a proud man. And although he would never say it in public, the Celtics tried to trade him twice (that we know of), demoted him to the bench in favor of Avery Bradley, and effectively replaced his minutes with Jason Terry while they were still negotiating with Ray. Add to that the rumored friction with Rondo, and it would be easy for Ray to feel scorned and put out.
Miami offers Ray a chance to compete for another title, in an offensive scheme that should play to all of his strengths. Picture this year’s NBA Finals with Allen taking all of those wide open threes instead of Shane Battier or Mario Chalmers.
They also showed that they wanted him. Pat Riley put on the full-court press. Alonzo Mourning met him for dinner. Both LeBron James and Dwayne Wade openly pleaded for him to take his talents to South Beach. For a guy who (rightfully) felt disrespected in Boston, it must have been nice.
Loyalty works both ways and Ray hasn’t been shown a lot of it in his career. The Bucks favored Glenn Robinson over him in the early days, before trading Allen to Seattle for Gary Payton. The Sonics stripped the team of worthwhile players after they were sold in an effort to disenfranchise the fanbase before a cold-hearted move to Oklahoma City – mercifully trading Ray to Boston on their way out. Boston dangled him in trade talks after he helped them to their first Championship in decades.
He’s earned the right to make the choice he wants.
What are your thoughts on Ray Allen’s legacy? Leave them in the comments.
Pat Riley is a great GM. He helped setup the 04 Miami Heat championship with Shaq and Wade. This is by far one of the most star studded teams in the NBA, and Im sure if Pat is getting these guys together you can expect some more rings on those fingers.
I know theres going to be a lot of haters right now, but Ray Allen did what he had to do. You can’t hate on the guy if he wants to join another team and win some more. Yeah if I was a Celtics fan I would feel like I was stabbed in the back but I can’t hate when someone does something to benefit himself.
Completely agree, Lee.