Doc Rivers sounds as if he misses Ray Allen already – NBA Report
Ray Allen leaving for the Miami Heat was perhaps the biggest surprise this off season. The man, who came into the franchise back in 2007 as part of the Big Three also including Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, helped the Greens lift
the Larry O’ Brien trophy in 2008. From there on, started a journey which saw the Celtics reach the NBA finals once and Conference Finals twice.
However, despite a strong run, something changed last season.
Ray Allen, struggling to cope up with the hectic schedule of the shortened season, gradually slipped from River’s good books, and that eventually cost the veteran a place in the starting five – the first time it happened in Allen’s
career.
And then there were his issues with Rajon Rondo. The Celtics point guard has gradually emerged as a team leader and playing point it was natural that Rondo got the major share of the ball. The problem was that Allen’s ball time
reduced significantly and apparently that was fine with Rivers. The lack of boding between Rondo and Allen didn’t help either.
The last nail in the coffin was perhaps the consistent trade rumours, and when the season finally ended, Allen was justified is feeling that he wasn’t wanted anymore. That was the main reason why he let go of a fatter Celtics contract
and opted for their bitter rivals Miami Heat.
As expected, there was a lot of hue and cry after the move, but some water has passed under the bridge and yesterday, Allen played his seconds game for the Heat. In a game against the Los Angeles Clippers in China, Allen dropped
four long range bombs on his way to 15 points, and looked surprisingly fresh.
Rivers, who is keeping a close eye on Heat this summer, watched the game and when asked about Allen, the response sounded as if he misses the guard already;
"He looked like Ray Allen, just like him," remarked Rivers. "It is [weird]. He wasn’t here for 20 years, but it is still strange seeing him with someone else."
Whatever the case is, the departure of Allen is, and will remain as one of the biggest failure of Rivers. There is no way you let go of the best three point shooter of all time so cheaply, simply no way. Rivers can now bring as
many Jason Terry’s and Courtney Lee’s as he like, but the hole which Allen has left can never be shored.
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