We knew this day was coming eventually: once second-year shooting guard Avery Bradley emerged last season, you understood that Ray Allen's time as a Celtic was rapidly coming to an end. In hindsight, when Boston agreed to terms with free agent guard Jason Terry earlier this week, that was it.
After going back and forth between the Celts and Heat, ultimately Allen chose Miami tonight. He is expected to accept the Heat's mid-level exception that starts at $3.09 million and could be worth up to $9.5 over three seasons. We can conclude that it wasn't about the money since Boston supposedly offered him a two-year deal for $12 million plus a no-trade clause.
His departure closes the book on five wildly successful seasons in Boston where he teamed up with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to win the 2008 NBA Championship, reach the Finals again two years later and finally, they fell in seven games to the same Heat last month in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the Big 3 shifted from Pierce, KG and Allen to Pierce, KG and Rajon Rondo a few seasons ago or simply the Big 4.
Allen turns 37 in a few weeks so he could see the writing on the wall; he had always been the one out of Pierce and KG to defer the most since they joined forces. The best 3-point shooter in NBA history (2718 made), he had double ankle surgery before coming to Boston then another ankle surgery in the last few weeks to clear up bone spurs. Last season and in the playoffs, he temporarily lost his starting spot to Bradley and it was clear when Bradley went down who was more important at that juncture.
He chose Miami because he must have felt like they present a better opportunity to win another NBA championship. The Heat shut up all the critics and rolled over Oklahoma City in five games in June so who's to say that LeBron, Wade, Bosh and Co. can't do it again next season (pukes in mouth)? The other major factor for Ray has to be minutes. He's a very smart guy and probably the most well-spoken player in the NBA not named Grant Hill so explain to me how he could play much when Bradley and Terry are both active?
Save me the song and dance about he wasn't being loyal since Boston tried to trade him not once but twice. The NBA is a business and he realizes this. It was simply time for him to change teams and close out his storied career somewhere else that needed him more. That was one of Miami's few weaknesses last season: 3-point shooting although they magically were on fire from distance late in the playoffs. Allen can only help them space the floor, he will get so many wide-open looks in transition which is how they love to play.
The UConn product was a three-time All-Star in his five years in Boston (2008, 2009, 2011). He was the best pure-shooter I've ever seen (career numbers of 45% from the floor, 40% on 3-pointers, 89% free throws) that was also the hardest working player I can recall on the Celtics. His pre-game routines were insane but legendary. Most importantly, win or lose he was the voice of reason on a team full of big personalities. He would always sit and take tough questions no matter if he played well or played awful. You can't ask for much more out of a pro athlete on one of your favorite teams, he gave everything he had to the C's during his time here.
I'll miss his effortless form, non-stop motion working around screens and trying to get open, the unshakable confidence, his hot wife and his mom's bedazzled Celtics jersey. KG is crazy, Pierce can be immature still, Rondo is a child but Ray was always an adult. I wish him personally nothing but the best in Miami. Him being on the Heat only adds a whole other spice to what has already morphed into the NBA's best rivalry. You can bet that the season-opener next season and/or Christmas Day games will be Celtics vs. Heat. Don't let the new uniform make you erase the past from your memory. You loved Ray Allen and there is nothing wrong with quietly rooting for him moving forward while also hoping the Heat lose every single game that they have.
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