Ray is still being misused

[nightstarstolen]

Doc will be the first to admit that it has been a challenge integrating Ray Allen into the offensive schemes.

Ray Allen being my 3rd favorite player before he came to Celtics, i can tell you that Ray was every bit as good as Paul Pierce.

How about throwing Ray a double pick, or an iso once in a while. His handle is better than PP's believe it or not, he's just not as good a finisher.

Everyone in media claimed that of the PGA tour, one was going to have to take a back seat, and he seems to accept that role for the good of Ubuntu.

Also, if there are not enough shots to go around, and 2nd unit is obviously struggling and looking for an identity, why can

[tlee324]

I don't feel this is true, but I guess a case could be made. I feel he's been essential for this team, and if I'm not mistaken, has played the most minutes on the team. His presence on the floor has to be respected at all times, even if it's not shown in the boxscores. I agree he's probably the second or third-best handler on the team, and he does actually finish very well.

Statistically, if you look at their attempts per game and their points per game, it looks like they're spreading the wealth perfectly. And, since their games don't get in each other's way, it looks like there is a perfect blend among the three.

[TheCelticTruth]

pierce is a more versatile player. period. that is why he has had a better season than ray. their skill levels are comparable, but pierce has the full swingman game and has good enough big skills to see spot minutes at the four. ray is a pure shooting guard. considering we play team ball and ride the hot hand, this means that there are less opportunities for ray to shine.

thats not a bad thing, if we spent time changing our style so we could maximize each of ray paul and kevin at certain points of the game, not only would we have fewer wins, but there wouldnt be the feeling of equality that we have on the team, and guys would really feel like they were just a supporting cast for three stars, not a true team.

[Celtics_85]

Ray Allen doesn't care about numbers at this point in his career. He wants to win a championship, is playing on a winning team that can win a championship, and is still getting paid a very good check. He is in no way unhappy where he is at, and at any time can get his shots. Right now Rondo has stepped up his offense like Doc has wanted him to do, so Ray's shots have been a little fewer. The next game he could have more shots than Pierce or Garnett, but is he the one with the problem or is it just his fans?

[TheCelticTruth]

Ray Allen doesn't care about numbers at this point in his career. He wants to win a championship, is playing on a winning team that can win a championship, and is still getting paid a very good check. He is in no way unhappy where he is at, and at any time can get his shots. Right now Rondo has stepped up his offense like Doc has wanted him to do, so Ray's shots have been a little fewer. The next game he could have more shots than Pierce or Garnett, but is he the one with the problem or is it just his fans?

i agree, and add that if anyone really believes that ray couldnt go out and get 40 if we needed him to, you need to pay closer attention

[P2]

As long as Ray shoots .500 from the field and .400 from beyond the arc, and we're winning, I'm fine with his role, and he is probably fine, too.

[P2]

And besides, what would you guys rather do? Trying to be the main scoring option and the cornerstone of this team, or just fine with getting $16M a year, kicking it back and relaxing, and watching your team win while you quietly contribute? I think Ray is absolutely fine with either.

[Truthiracy]

Ray is also the eldest of the Big 3, making it easier for him to take the backseat since he has less legs than the others. As long as we're winning, everything is fine (and no, I don't care about the "trap game" losses, EVERY team loses to inferior teams throughout the course of a season.)

[Kids Are Alright]

As he's one of if not my favorite player in the league, especially in his best years, I agree I'd like to see more trips to the basket off picks for him on the first unit as he's a great finisher.

He had a very efficient, if quiet game against the Hornets. It's so important that he's out there spreading the floor for PP and KG.

What bothers me is the post-game that he's not there with PP and KG. That might be by choice though.

[TheCelticTruth]

i also think that theres a lot of pacing going on for the three, so that they can play at full tilt through the playoffs, i wont be surprised to see them go nuts and have PP and Ray put up 25+ while garnett goes 20 and 10 nearly every game. theyre all playing less minutes than they have usually played.

[celticfan42487]

We tried to get him going earlier in the season by having him average 42 mpg while beign the man on the second team. That didn't work too well because the second team sucks too much for him to get anything without a lot of effort.

His handles are better then Pierce? Really? REALLY? If they were he'd be able to break down the one on one situations he finds himself in with ease and we wouldn't have this thread.

Alas though, I'd like to see Ray get some easier shots too, I know it's a waste of time with the first unit having Pierce and Garnett relegated to setting picks for Ray to run off of and just shot the ball... when they can do that with Pierce/Garnett in a one on one situation with Ray used as spacing which allows our creators in Pierce/Garnett to make that amazing ball movement...

but Ray isn't going to break down anyone one on one this year, for whatever reason [ankles,age,handles] he's shown that.. and dammit he diserves some easy shots! Lets get him some rythmn shots early in the game so he doesn't have to rely on open 3s to get him going [although that's nice too]. DET does this for Rip Hamilton although Rip needs it and Ray doesn't because Ray can shoot some 3s but I just don't know.. sometimes I wish Ray could be the #1 focus of the offense for some plays just so he gets a rythmn and some free throws. He too easiely is just relegated to saving his energy behind the 3 point line waiting for a kick out and Ray Allen is NOT a Kapono/House roleplayer dammit.

[TheCelticTruth]

actually, ray has not handled the ball as well as im used to him doing. and his passing hasnt been what im used to either.

but we cant change the whole flow to get him going, he needs to learn how to better incorporate himself. he doesnt move off the ball as much as, since celticfan mentioned him, rip hamilton, and that might be the difference. he moves off the ball well, but he seems to react to openings more than create them.

[Rocky5000]

Ray does have a better handle than Pierce, the reason why he isn't as good of a slasher IMO is that Paul is simply bigger with more lateral quickness. When Ray is handling the ball he often gets trapped when they blitz the pick, which he's got to find a way out of. I agree with the original poster that we could be getting a lot more out of Ray than we have so far. I think it comes down to whether or not that would hurt the efficiency of the team.

In the All-star game Ray showed that he can still really pile on the points and was deserving of the AS honor.(He should have been MVP IMO) While, Pierce and KG are getting consideration for League MVP, Ray Allen's unselfish play and new found defensive intensity may be equally valuable to our success.

[billfromBoston]

...I expect Ray's numbers to be much better all around next year...the same for PP and KG...as good as this team has been, their offense is still way behind their defense at this point...

...the team spent its first TC focused on defense...offensive continuity comes with experience as a unit...by the start of next season the team will have designed much more intricate ways to utilize the talents of GPA...I'd expect each of the 3 to average around 2-3 more points per game based off creating better looks and having a better grasp on what they want to do offensively...

Don't worry about Ray, he'll be getting his on screens and cuts all the time next year, and he'll start off the year hotter than he did this year too, so it won't take him all season to get his shooting percentages up...

[CeltsfaninDC]

All you can say is:
Coach of the Year.

[GreenGrizz]

His role with the Celtics is very similiar to his years at UConn with a bunch of talented teammates.

[Cyclical]

The shot distrubition seems exactly right to me. PP takes the most shots, followed by Ray, who's closely by KG. PP is much more versatile (boards, assists, blocks, steals, etc.), a better passer and, this is key, gets to the line much more often, hence it's a good idea for him to control the ball more. I agree that Ray could use a few more screens during a game.

[sam_I_am]

It is really simple. Pierce is the better finisher and Ray is the better shooter. Therefore, having Pierce drive and dish and Ray catch and shoot makes the most sense. Sure, aspects of their games are sacrificed but who cares. None of these players have ever played on a more dominant team and never have had as fun a season I suspect.

[TheCelticTruth]

i dont always thinks ray seems like hes having as much fun, but i think thats a misunderstanding of ray. ray is hugely professional and somewhat reserved, so i feel like he probably doesnt think it is appropriate to show too much emotion