Ray Allen on playing the new look Celtics: 'I have no emotional attachment'


With the Celtics heading to Miami on Saturday, it's no surprise that Ray Allen was asked about his opinions on playing the new look Celtics. Not surprisingly (if you've ever listened to Ray talk), Allen was pretty robotic with his answer.

From Ethan Skolnick (via Jay King).


I'm sure there are a lot of people who will get pissed about this, but Allen was pretty clear that the comment is less about the Celtics, and more about the fact that he's focused on the Heat. Before last season started, Allen seemingly couldn't stop talking about the Cs (remember all the back and forth between him and KG/Doc/Pierce/Rondo/the Celtics water boys?), and fans wanted him to shut up. Now, he's doing just that.

As for Ray hate in general, I'll never get it. The man was nearly traded to Memphis (a business decision by Danny Ainge), so when he reached free agency he made his own business decision and joined the Heat. He wanted a better chance at a second ring - and got it. I understand that his decision shows a lack of loyalty, and automatically lowers him from the Pierce/KG level of love. That makes sense. But that has never made him a bad guy in my eyes. If a team shows you a lack of loyalty (which is what Ainge did), why should you show it back? And that's not a criticism of Ainge, it's his job to do what's best for the team. But it's Allen's job to do what's best for him. Hopefully in time, fans remember Allen more for his five seasons here, and one title won, than for his jump to Miami.

Plus, I'll always be more mad at Allen for Game 3 of the 2010 Finals (0-13 FG, 0-8 3 PT FG) than for making a smart business decision and bolting for Miami. If Allen plays even halfway decent, the Celtics win that game (they lost by seven), and possibly win thats series in five games.

That will probably make me mad forever. But Allen getting a one year head start on leaving a rebuilding team doesn't.

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