NBA: Ray Allen returns to the Big Three?
The Big Three:
Boston Celtics faced a series of shockers this year; Boston Celtics defeat in this year’s playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers after a long 7 game match, the shock they later got when their beloved coach Doc Rivers said that he was thinking of re-considering his position, and Paul Peirce their shooting guard opting out form his contract. Many fans were scared that that the Celtics will consider rebuilding their team from scratch, making their top players redundant. But fortunately the team did quite the contrary, leaving their fans quite happy.
The team brought its team from falling apart, Doc Rivers came back and now the veteran Ray Allen decided last night he wanted to come back to his team. Ray confirmed with the Associated Press that he will be signing a two year contract for $20M per season.
Ray Allen said he was full of joy because he was looking forward to the all the great memories he has had with the team. He joined the Celtics in 2007 followed by Kevin Garnett and Paul Peirce forming one of the strongest trios in NBA. Boston have won one championship title and reached the finals twice in three years with Ray. Ray Allen, 34, has averaged 16 points last season with the Celtics, and played a big part in helping his team to reach the Finals.
General Manager Danny Ainge of Boston Celtics reconsidered Allen’s position in the team by trading him off, and giving Rajon Rondo more minutes as a guard there they lost the finals this year. This was due to Allen’s unpredictable play this year; he stunned everybody in game two by making eight 3-pointers but then missing out on more than 15 shots in the following games. However, Ainge later decided that he did not want to break the team apart instead kept more faith. Rivers also was quite supportive as he cherished Ray’s defensive ability. Moreover the team praised him as being one of their top most priorities in the team.
Ainge said we have had many conversations with star during his period as a free agent, before we decided on to offer him a contract again. Allen made it pretty clear to them that he wants to talk or meet with other franchises that are interested in offering a place to him.
Allen is still considered to be one of the best shooters available in the National Basketball Association. Till date he has scored 20,956 points altogether and is ranked as No.2 with most points scored in the 3-pointer range, with a staggering number 2,444.
Boston Celtics had showed on many occasions that they were concerned and scared that Ray might be lured in by other teams, who could offer him a much bigger cheque; Teams such as the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers. Now that Allen has reinstated his position in the team, remaining a true patriot much will be expected from him next year. Rumours have been circling that Jermaine O’Neal former centre of Miami Heat who stated a few years ago that he wants to come to level where he would destroy the whole NBA league could quite possibly be joining the Celtics i.e. if he accepts their midlevel contract which starts at five million dollars.
Ray Allen most certainly took a “hometown-discount” because there were many franchises who could have offered him much more but the neat player knew what he wanted to do and was best for him and his team, therefore returning to the his team proving there is more to game than the money.
Despite the conjectures being formed throughout the offseason, the team has made it through; acquiring their head coach Doc Rivers back, extending Paul Pierces contract to a four year deal for a $61M and now re-signing Ray Allen has really brought a smile on not only Boston Celtics die-hard fans but NBA enthusiasts because nobody likes to see a great team falling apart.
Let us just pray that he remains positive and helps maintain the standard Boston Celtics have been maintaining for many decades.
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