Boston Celtics veteran point guard Ray Allen comfortable as a reserve – NBA Update
Boston Celtics veteran point guard Ray Allen knew that he will have to come off the bench after missing 6 games due to sore right ankle. Under ordinary circumstances with any other player this news wouldn’t have lifted eyebrows. But for a player who didn’t
come off the bench since December 5, 2002, it’s a huge development.
It did happen in the game against Chicago Bulls; Allen knew it was coming as he was struggling to get his basketball legs under him. He himself approached coach Doc Rivers with the idea to come off late with Avery Bradley to provide an offensive cushion
for the team.
“Well, people were talking about it,” Rivers said after the Celtics’ 93-86 loss to the Bulls. “It was being talked about a lot. I can’t say that it was my idea — I don’t ever want to come off the bench. But if it can help the team, and that’s what they needed
me to do, then I would be up for it.”
C’s have been giving serious thoughts to move Allen to the bench and bringing Mickael Pietrus into the starting line-up. Though the coach proposed to give Allen a few games as a starter to get back into the groove but the 36 years old future hall of famer
didn’t approve of it.
"Give Ray credit," Rivers said. "He came to me. We had talked a while ago and he said, 'Hey, I think this may be the time.'"
The defeat aside Ray did perform consistently against Bulls, as he tallied 14 points and was 100 percent 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. The veteran with 15 years of experience has been averaging 14.3 points, 2.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in this
season. It is a clear sign of his altruism that he suppressed his ego for the greater good of team and decided to come off late. Normally a player of his statute would consider it a disgrace.
“At the end of the day your minutes don’t change, and that’s one thing I’m very cognizant about when I’m out there in the flow,” said Allen. “It’s an ego thing to start, and my ego is not that big where I feel I have to be in the starting line-up.”
Greens are currently on the 4th playoff spot with 30 wins and 24 losses, despite having a turbulent season with injuries to key players. Now with Allen back on the active player list their chances are brighter in the post season as they will get
a phenomenal boost from the best shooter in the league.
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