How much blame does Ray Allen deserve for the win?

[bruno sundov]

No I think what you missed was him going 1-12 and being stubborn in game 1. Last night what got his game going? Taking the ball to the hoop. He hit a couple of shots in close and all of a sudden he is drainning 3's. What drive me nuts about ray is when the jumper isn't falling he just keeps on taking it. When they say shooters, shoot their way out ot slumps that means it is often done by getting to the line, or getting layups. Ray did that last night. AMEN

[MyInsatiableOne]

^I know, I just don't get how some people will savage Ray for game 1 but Pierce skates on not showing up for the first two games...

[celticfan42487]

I'll blame Pierce the next time he doesn't show up for 2.5 straight playoff series. 17 consecutive playoff games.

I'm sorry if some fans can't get over that, and aren't giving Ray the benefit of the doubt. As far as I'm concerned he's just as likely to go 3-15 next game as he is to return to " playing rival " form.

[tombattor]

The thing with Ray is this. He needs his teammates to get him open and get him the ball. When they do that, there is no one better at making those shots. But unlike players like Paul, who can just take his guy one-on-one, Ray is more dependent on his teammates because he really isn't all that good at creating his own shot. The biggest difference in the 2 games is what the rest of the team did for him.

In game 1, Rondo was in his "Rose vs. me" zone and was constantly late in giving Ray the ball. In several cases, Ray got open, only to receive the ball way too late and out of rhythm with the defender catching up to him.

In game 2, more specifically in the 2nd half, everyone was looking for Ray a lot more and Rondo did a much better job of getting him the ball in shooting rhythm. As you can see from his great number of assists.

So as great as Ray was in carrying our offense and making the shot at the end, you also have to give credit to the bigs + Paul for setting the screens and Rondo for getting him the ball at the right time.

[bruno sundov]

Bumping this thread to ask the question will Ray play well tonight?


I would have to say yes after his last performance but you really don't know with this guy. I just keep on going back to last playoffs and they won 3 series despite him .