Ray joins the Heat/Ray Allen appreciation thread

[ThirtyFour]

Reflecting on this whole thing and reading many responses to Ray leaving, especially the ones that condemn people like myself for being so angry about it, I came to this conclusion. As a fan who had no say in any move that Danny may have made as far as trading Ray, I don't think it's fair for Ray to be spiteful towards the fans of the Boston Celtics, ie going to the Miami Heat for less money. So, if Ray had convinced me that he wasn't being spiteful than I would be less mad. But he hasn't done that.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think that if Ray was such a respectable guy, maybe he could've been more upfront with all of us fans and called a press conference to thank us and to explain the fact that he had irreconcilable differences with management and that it is in no way a reflection of the fans, etc etc. If he said that he wanted to stay but just couldn't see it working after a lot of thought, and how tough it would be to not play with Paul and KG after what they started etc etc. If he said he was going to the Heat not out of spite (even if he lied to us) but because NEXT to staying in Boston which he no longer feels he can do, the next best option to get a ring "before I retire" is with Miami....Look, I would have still been pissed but if he had come out and been classy about it and thanked us and just was more diplomatic about leaving and not so hush hush last minute, it might have cast a much better light on what was inevitably going to viewed as a terribly negative thing.

I know many people forget such a simple fact, but without fans, there is no sport, so I don't care how much money the players make and management makes, or if I sound idealistic, we still matter and to spite the organization is really to spite the fans that make 1/10000th of what some of these guys make and have no say in any decisions. All we can do is rally for our team, and watch, and cheer, and celebrate the good times, and mourn the bad times. Cuz it's the f***ing truth. Ray you punked your fans, simple as that.

[Fencer reregistered]

Ray wasn't a guy who enjoyed sacrificing his personal glory for a winning team.

Indeed, Ray hated the sacrificing so much it made him angry and spiteful.

Even so, Ray was a guy with the disciplined decency to do the sacrificing while hating it.

[Conclusion]

No but the Celtics, unlike the Heat are adding several young, dynamic talents to their lineup - Bradley (all NBA defensive talent), Green (6th man of the year candidate, provides critical depth behind Pierce and can match up with Lebron/Melo) and Sullinger (top ten ready to go rookie). Rondo is a young guy and with so much depth behind Pierce/KG I think they'll be fresher next season and playoffs. Let's not forget Jason Terry. He's pretty good.

The Celtics are finally in a position financially where they can have a fully stocked roster. That hasn't happened in these last 5 years. The Celtics have been the Heat, trying to defend the title with limited assets and flexibility.

Well now the Celtics are fully stocked with YOUNG talent while the Heat are going to be depending around a ton of OLD past their prime role players. It's HARD to repeat.

I think the Celtics are clearly better at this point.

Miami has so many old veterans that its inconceivable that they all get injured. Battier, Allen, Lewis, Haslem, Mike Miller, James Jones - the swingmen/PF rotation is so deep. And I would definitely rather depend on experienced veterans instead of young talent, especially because they are role players. Bosh is also in his prime. Wade in the playoffs was a glimpse of old Wade (with his knee problems). Coming off knee surgery, I expect Wade to be much more effective, regaining his position as a top 10 player in the league (honestly, he wasn't even top 15 material during the playoffs). The Heat also have youth in Chalmers (who has been growing into a dynamic scorer outside of the Big 3) and Cole. Dexter Pittman might even emerge.

And I forgot, the Heat have LeBron James.

[pp34thetruth_]

ray allen departure's a manna from heaven for us.
jason terry is way more athletic, 2 years younger and not a primadonna.
plus everyone should remember terry is 4th all time 3 point made shooter, a threat from beyond the arc.
good luck ray finding spots with dexter pittman or eddy curry screenings.

[Parliament10]

http://frrole.com/o/ray-allens-ad-to-ce ... ell-boston

Dear Celtics Fans,

For the pat five years, my family and I took great pride in calling

Boston home. We have loved living in this city, being members

of the Celtics family and being part of your community. These

memories will be cherished forever.

From my heart, THANK YOU Boston for this incredible journey.

___________________Ray Allen #20

Ahhhh, yeah, whatever.

[PP 4 Three]

Class act. Thank you for Banner 17, Jesus!

[humblebum]

http://frrole.com/o/ray-allens-ad-to-celtics-fans-in-the--darrenrovell-boston

Dear Celtics Fans,

For the pat five years, my family and I took great pride in calling

Boston home. We have loved living in this city, being members

of the Celtics family and being part of your community. These

memories will be cherished forever.

From my heart, THANK YOU Boston for this incredible journey.

___________________Ray Allen #20

Ahhhh, yeah, whatever.

Dear Ray Allen,

Can't wait to see your face when we beat you down next season.

Nice knowing ya.

Sincerely,

Kevin Garnett

[Marley2Hendrix]

http://frrole.com/o/ray-allens-ad-to-celtics-fans-in-the--darrenrovell-boston

Dear Celtics Fans,

For the pat five years, my family and I took great pride in calling

Boston home. We have loved living in this city, being members

of the Celtics family and being part of your community. These

memories will be cherished forever.

From my heart, THANK YOU Boston for this incredible journey.

___________________Ray Allen #20

Ahhhh, yeah, whatever.

Dear Ray Allen,

Can't wait to see your face when we beat you down next season.

Nice knowing ya.

Sincerely,

Kevin Garnett

I really, really hope someone sports #20 next year. Even better if it is Courtney Lee as he shuts down Ray and drains his own 3's.

[EJay33]

I was hoping that Terry would take #20. The Ray ad in the Globe is nice, but it's too little too late.

[JR Hawks]

Dear Ray Allen,

You're not as classy as you would like to think. You're a sell out and your Celtics legacy is dead.

Boston Celtics Fans

[Ben-N1ce]

People are taking this Ray thing a bit to seriously. I have no problem with him getting some cheers prior to the 1st game when they give him his little montage. After that though I fully expect him to never get cheered again whatsover

[Parliament10]

http://frrole.com/o/ray-allens-ad-to-celtics-fans-in-the--darrenrovell-boston

Dear Celtics Fans,

For the pat five years, my family and I took great pride in calling

Boston home. We have loved living in this city, being members

of the Celtics family and being part of your community. These

memories will be cherished forever.

From my heart, THANK YOU Boston for this incredible journey.

___________________Ray Allen #20

Ahhhh, yeah, whatever.

Dear Ray Allen,

Can't wait to see your face when we beat you down next season.

Nice knowing ya.

Sincerely,

Kevin Garnett

Hahaha!

I really, really hope someone sports #20 next year. Even better if it is Courtney Lee as he shuts down Ray and drains his own 3's.

I was hoping that Terry would take #20. The Ray ad in the Globe is nice, but it's too little too late.

Ray, you did us Good, when you were here.
But, you did us Dirty, when you left.

So, I hope we get New Memories.
And you get to guard Terry,
As he Jays-in-your-face!

[Chris435]

People are taking this Ray thing a bit to seriously. I have no problem with him getting some cheers prior to the 1st game when they give him his little montage. After that though I fully expect him to never get cheered again whatsover

Hey, everyone has got an opinion. That's why we're here.

It just puts a bad taste in my mouth when I think of the high probability of what could happen: Ray Allen's injuries heal up, he returns to form and plays a significant role in lifting the Heat to a higher level, and then they proceed to have their best regular season and have a commanding postseason ending with a ring.

I have my thoughts about Ray that have mostly been spelled out here by many distraught posters, but I'll keep them to myself. It would just be an awful feeling if the Heat win and there's a great chance they'll make it happen again. That's just me though.

[bs_and_cs]

Not sure if this was posted here on not, but apparently his contract with the Heat is only 2 years (1 year with a player option).

Heat fans should appreciate Ray Allen next season, because there's no assurance he will be here beyond that. Two sources with direct knowledge tell us that Allen’s two-year deal with the Heat includes a $3.2 million player option for 2013-14. So if Allen wants to become a free agent again next July, he can. So can Rashard Lewis, due $1.4 million in 2013-14.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-b ... s-hav.html

[Fencer reregistered]

Not sure if this was posted here on not, but apparently his contract with the Heat is only 2 years (1 year with a player option).

Heat fans should appreciate Ray Allen next season, because there's no assurance he will be here beyond that. Two sources with direct knowledge tell us that Allen’s two-year deal with the Heat includes a $3.2 million player option for 2013-14. So if Allen wants to become a free agent again next July, he can. So can Rashard Lewis, due $1.4 million in 2013-14.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-b ... s-hav.html

Even if he just stays with Miami, an opt out could get him something of a bigger raise than he'd otherwise be able to receive. Then after two years his Early Bird rights kick in.

But yeah -- if it's not what he envisioned, he can bail after a year. So his first season there, they had better be Really Nice to him.

[Roddy]

Not sure if this was posted here on not, but apparently his contract with the Heat is only 2 years (1 year with a player option).

Heat fans should appreciate Ray Allen next season, because there's no assurance he will be here beyond that. Two sources with direct knowledge tell us that Allen’s two-year deal with the Heat includes a $3.2 million player option for 2013-14. So if Allen wants to become a free agent again next July, he can. So can Rashard Lewis, due $1.4 million in 2013-14.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-b ... s-hav.html

Hey ! Maybe we could sign him back next year

[702Celtics]

Not sure if this was posted here on not, but apparently his contract with the Heat is only 2 years (1 year with a player option).

Heat fans should appreciate Ray Allen next season, because there's no assurance he will be here beyond that. Two sources with direct knowledge tell us that Allen’s two-year deal with the Heat includes a $3.2 million player option for 2013-14. So if Allen wants to become a free agent again next July, he can. So can Rashard Lewis, due $1.4 million in 2013-14.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-b ... s-hav.html

Hey ! Maybe we could sign him back next year

I wouldn't want Allen back even if he offered to play for free.

[HeatleCash]

Hey ! Maybe we could sign him back next year [/quote]

I wouldn't want Allen back even if he offered to play for free.[/quote]

You might not but Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers sure would.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Allen knows what his is in for when he signed up with the heat. A few rings, a bench role and perhaps less time playing time. This will be the easiest years of Allen's career and he will have at least two more rings to show for it. No way he opts out.

Also about that full page ad: He knows there is backlash from the fans so he is in full spin control. No one is fooled as to what he is doing. Allen will still be booed when he shows up in a heat uniform.

[hoopster]

Also about that full page ad: He knows there is backlash from the fans so he is in full spin control. No one is fooled as to what he is doing. Allen will still be booed when he shows up in a heat uniform.

Was he also in full "spin control" when he took a full page ad out in the Seattle papers thanking the fans after he was traded to Boston?

What he did was show a certain amount of class -- which is more than can be said for a number of people on this board.