Doc Rivers speaks up regarding Ray Allen’s decision to join Miami Heat – NBA News
A few days after Ray Allen reached an agreement with the Miami Heat for a three year contract worth the mid level exception of $3 million per year, Allen’s former coach Doc Rivers has spoken about his decision to decline an offer
by the Celtics, and instead move to their conference arch-rivals, the Miami Heat.
Ray Allen was a restricted free agent this summer, and even though Boston offered him a two year $12 million contract, he declined it.
Money was not an issue for Allen, who has earned $178 million in salary over the course of his NBA career. Instead, it seemed as if he was unhappy with the Celtics management. There were talks of him being traded last season and
it has been reported that one such trade option was so close to completion that Allen had been informed that he was being traded. But the talks broke down and Allen remained in the Celtics, though he was not a very happy man. Then he lost the starting position
to Avery Bradley in the playoffs and regained it only after Bradley was sidelined with shoulder injury.
Therefore, Allen felt like he was more wanted in Miami, where Riley sold him to the idea of more championship rings.
However, Celtics coach Doc Rivers doesn’t agree with Allen’s reasons for leaving. He spoke to the Boston Herald while watching the Celtics summer league team in action, and said:
“No, I didn’t agree, but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what I think. I just wish we could have found a way [to sign Allen], and we didn’t. Always put it on us — it’s easier. Kevin Garnett was our focal point, and he should
have been. If that got anyone ruffled, then that’s probably too bad. He probably got bent sideways a bit by us courting Kevin. I really don’t know, honestly. He talked to me. It was a good talk. You know how I am. A guy makes his mind up, I’m not going to
try and change it. I respect him for all he did for us, and I thought he should have stayed with us. Actually, you just have to let it go.”
Whatever way it went, the fact is that Allen will be wearing a Miami Heat jersey the next time he makes a trip to the TD Garden, and the Celtics fans will not be as encouraging and supportive as they were the last time he played
there.
Tags: