Ray Allen speaks on Boston Celtics bench role – NBA Update
Veteran NBA star Ray Allen is in the twilight of his career. The 36 year old has seen it all in a career spanning over a decade and a half. His is perhaps the purest shooter the game has ever seen, and a sure shot bet for a future place in the NBA Hall of
Fame.
However, sentiments do not earn many points in the NBA, where the ruthless game leaves you behind if you don’t have the legs to keep up. Allen is no different, and the legendary guard has therefore been moved to the bench by Boston Celtics head coach Doc
Rivers.
It’s a huge transition for Allen, who is used to being a starting star throughout his time in the NBA, whichever team he might have played for. Now the move to the bench, this late in the season, is turning out to be a tough transition for him.
“I don’t think it can happen for me to ultimately be comfortable with these 11 or so games we have left because none of us are getting into routines as far as settling in and what are roles are, getting practice time, understanding rotations and chemistry,“
Allen said. “You just adapt the best way you can.”
The move is designed to give the Celtics some much needed depth. Boston have been rocked by injuries this season, that have stretched the thin roster to its limits. They have lost Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and Jermaine O’Neal to season ending injuries.
Allen’s understudy, Mickael Pietrus, is also currently out with a head injury. Second year guard Avery Bradley has stepped up in the meanwhile and it is he who has replaced Allen in the starting line-up.
With Bradley doing well in the starting role, Allen is concentrating on getting used to the second string and making some impact off the bench, which gives the Celtics extra momentum in closely contested NBA games.
Allen believes the move can also help him prolong his playing career. He has already conditioned his body very well over the years, allowing him to perform at a higher level than someone of his age should be. Now with a new role, Allen hopes he can freshen
things up and he doesn’t rule out a return to starting next year either.
“I think my challenge is to be able to compete at a high level every year I come into a season, and that means competing for a starting job every opportunity I get,” Allen said. “That’s my focus and that’s my goal.”
With Pietrus set to return soon, it will be interesting to watch Allen compete with 2 young guards for playing time at Boston, and the competition could certainly bring the best out of the veteran star.
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