Why doesn't Ray Allen take it off the dribble more?

Barstool Blues · Post #1 » by **Barstool Blues** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:59 pm

Everyone is always saying "he's too old" or "injuries have taken that part of his game away" etc etc, but hell he looked pretty damn good with that behind the back dribble to the basket in game 5. Honestly Ray Allen has never had the most consistent ball handling, but he's always had a very nice cross over and he's always been pretty crafty, so I don't see why he doesn't attack the rim more. Hell in a recent Cavs game I saw Wally Szczerbiak take someone off the dribble and he is as slow as a snail. The best thing to do when you are in a shooting slump is to attack the rim and either get an easy shot or go to the ft line. I love Ray Allen, he is my favorite player, but I notice that he can get tentative shooting wise when he isn't going. He gives up a lot of shots he should take and the offense suffers because of it. Why does he have to come off a screen to shoot? Back in the Sonic days when he was scoring 25ppg or so he would shoot step backs all the time. He doesn't need very much space. I don't see why he can't do that now? Better for him to do that then see Rajon Rondo EVER take a jump shot lol. You are only cutting his potential when you ask him to come off screens to score every time. He has done that throughout his career but that was never his bread and butter. He was always very able at creating his own shot and I would like to see him given more freedom to do that especially considering there is no Garnett and him and Pierce are the only two offensive players you can really count on now. Ray seriously needs to be unchained and given the freedom to do what he wants.

Post #2 » by **sully00** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:22 pm

Because he has to play inside the offense. In the last game, because he was struggling from the outside he tried to penetrate more but what happens is when he is cut off and has to kick out it is like driving over those tire popping things in parking lot because no one is there and even if they are on the perimeter or high post they are set up on the other side of the court. So you end up with a lot of ridiculous looking turnovers from Ray or living with Rondo at the 3 pt line with the clock running down. Ray can put it on the floor but it has to do it to score not simply draw the defense because he is actually making it easier on the defense by leaving that 3 pt line. This is also why you will see him look to drive down the middle instead of driving baseline.

Ray still takes some of the most contested shots from the perimeter you will see, but he also knows when it is falling and when it isn't right now he has to get comfortable before he can get the hair trigger going again.

Barstool Blues · Post #3 » by **Barstool Blues** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:28 pm

The Celtics don't have the luxury of waiting for him to get "comfortable". The Bulls and the Magic they can allow that, but come Cavs time the Celtics have zero chance if Allen and Pierce aren't allowed to do what they have to. **** the offense. KG is gone and the defense is average at BEST without him. It's time to unchain Ray and let him and Pierce fire off. The Cavs are too superior defensively to the Celtics for the team to play "within the offense". That won't fly vs the Cavs who can score consistently and defend consistently. Ray and Pierce need to be allowed to do whatever they please if the Celtics are to have any chance vs the Cavs...you ride the hof's if you want to have any chance in that series. I don't care if they are cold as ****, but they both should be taking 20+ shots vs the Cavs...

Post #4 » by **sully00** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:41 pm

Well like I just said Ray did say "**** the offense" in the last game but there was no were to go when he probed the defense and he had those 3 lollipop turnovers.

The spacing in the offense is what makes this team successful, running away from your offense, what you do well to score the ball, is what the Magic did last game on their way to blowing a 14 pt lead. They are were they are now by trusting the offense, not allowing opponents to key on Pierce and Ray because if they do Baby, Rondo, and Perk will make them pay and how well this team is able to continue to do that is going to determine how far it goes. Everytime this team tries to start going one on one outside of the offense then we end up in the crapper.

Everyone needs to stop peeing their pants about the Cavs, this team has stood toe to toe with them without KG before. We tend to be strong at home and weak on the road and that is the way it is.

Post #5 » by **UGA Hayes** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:15 pm

Uh the right answer is b/c Ray sucks off the dribble. Its too bad too cause he is an amazing finisher. He just can't get to the rim without turning the ball over.

Banks2Pierce · Post #6 » by **Banks2Pierce** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:18 pm

No one can drive because of Dwight in the paint. Ray can only drive when Dwight has to leave the paint to cover his guy and that can't be Perkins. So we'd rather have Perk shutting Howard down in the low post and being our rim protector than getting Ray's offense going. They are basically box and 1'ing ray in this series, though. Taking it straight out of Cleveland's playbook.

celticfan42487 · Post #7 » by **celticfan42487** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:48 pm

He sucks at driving.

hickfromfrenchlick · Post #8 » by **hickfromfrenchlick** » Thu May 14, 2009 10:04 pm

celticfan42487 wrote:He sucks at driving.

Yeah, I was in a bar with John Rocker and he yelled out, "Why do the Celtics have an Asian woman playing shooting guard?"

perfectblack999 · Post #9 » by **perfectblack999** » Thu May 14, 2009 11:43 pm

to reiterate what was said above....ray's just gonna dribble it off his foot outta bounds

Setshot33 · Post #10 » by **Setshot33** » Fri May 15, 2009 1:51 am

Too old and slow.

Hell, he can't even bring the ball up on the break without someone running him down and taking the ball away from him.

JR Hawks · Post #11 » by **JR Hawks** » Fri May 15, 2009 2:08 am

Easy questions get easy answers...too old, too slow, too soft and too washed up.

Barstool Blues · Post #12 » by **Barstool Blues** » Fri May 15, 2009 2:14 am

Ray Allen is making me look like an ass hole with his play. Can't even defend the guy anymore. Just playing horrible.

Al-Haqq · Post #13 » by **Al-Haqq** » Fri May 15, 2009 9:24 am

I have absolutely no idea why he doesn't drive and then stop, pull up a jumper near the paint.

Lol, I love how it's always the offense's fault: "we need to get Ray open", "We need to get him into rhythm" ... lol, please! The guy sucks hard out there right now. It's a lay-up or a curl off a screen. You cut those two out and he becomes a mere role player.

bruno sundov · Post #14 » by **bruno sundov** » Fri May 15, 2009 11:39 am

I'm starting to think Ray and Tony Allen are related. The way they kick the ball off thier feet each time they go to drive.LOL

MyInsatiableOne · Post #15 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Fri May 15, 2009 11:51 am

bruno sundov wrote:I'm starting to think Ray and Tony Allen are related. The way they kick the ball off thier feet each time they go to drive.LOL

Yeah, just minus that whole HOF-career for Ray and all...

bruno sundov · Post #16 » by **bruno sundov** » Fri May 15, 2009 4:15 pm

RIght now there is no one more frustrating to watch than the Allen brothers. Ray's shot isn't falling take it to the hoop and try and get something going. NAH why would he do that when he jsut launch from furhter and further away. SO frustrating to watch him do this.