Ray Allen to (still mad) Celtic fans: "Get over it! ... I'll always be a Celtic"

[Surferdad]

Of course we have to get over it, the man is right.
But before we do, he deserves all these years of treatment (from fans and KG/Rondo)
Whatever his reasons, you don't give up on your (champions) teammates just to go with the number 1 enemy for an easy ring. The guy is like KD, he doesn't get the main point.

No mister Allen, you are not a Celtics. It just happen that you won a ring in Boston, that's all.
A Celtics sacrifices for the team. You exactly did the opposite.

This, TP LGC88.  He's right, we have to get over it for our own peace of mind.

In spite of my bitterness over his decision, I will always be grateful for the key role he played in getting us #17.

Somebody mentioned respect.  Of course I respect him and always will, both as a professional basketball player and as a man.  I am not sure why that even enters into the discussion.  We are talking about a disagreement on a decision that was his, not ours, to make.  However, it is worth mentioning again that he took LESS money and moved farther away from his family and the medical specialists for his child.  Those are his decisions.  Personally, I would very likely have made a different decision.  But again, it was his choice to weigh those values in his own life.

[Moranis]

If Ray had stayed, he would have been traded away by Ainge like Pierce and Garnett were a year later. Unrestricted free agency is the only time a player truly has some level of control over their destination, and he chose the best situation for him. It's silly to take any of it personally.

TP Interesting observation!

Danny would have traded him to Miami if he thought the deal was good enough.

Danny actually told Ray he was traded to Memphis, before the deal fell through last minute. No heads up, no input. Just "You're being traded to Memphis". Ray broke the news to his family, but then the deal wasn't finalized.

So no, I don't blame him for leaving. Any rationale person who craved stability for his family (and the medical needs of his son) might have done the same thing.

This is exactly correct and why I never blamed Ray for leaving.  And let's be real here, Boston was done and wasn't a title contender when Ray left. 

[mr. dee]

I still respect Ray.

The only thing that he did that I don't love is that he didn't talk with KG and Pierce before moving on. But, Hayward didn't tell his teammates either, so who knows?

Hayward didn't join the team that beat him in the playoffs. Maybe if Ray Allen chose to play for any western conference team, he wouldn't get much hate from our fanbase.

[Eja117]

Get over it. You'll always be person non grata

[BudweiserCeltic]

Screw Ray Allen... to this day he still has little understanding of Celtics fans and their considerations. "Yeah, just business"... well that only applies to your relationship with the front-office and what not, not with the fan base. The lack of consideration and respect he gave us with his actions and REACTIONS justify the disdain many have for the way he parted and on.

So screw you Ray Allen, may you live your life in ignorant bliss and self-delusion.

[Casperian]

Gotta love it. The exact same thread is on the Celtics reddit, and everyone agrees people need to get over it.

On CB, on the other hand: "mimimi, but my butt still hurts".

[Roy H.]

I still respect Ray.

The only thing that he did that I don't love is that he didn't talk with KG and Pierce before moving on. But, Hayward didn't tell his teammates either, so who knows?

Hayward didn't join the team that beat him in the playoffs. Maybe if Ray Allen chose to play for any western conference team, he wouldn't get much hate from our fanbase.

Ray wanted stability and he wanted a ring. Miami gave him both of those things.

If Danny can stick it to Ray by trading him to a non-contender in a terrible city, Ray has the right to leave for somewhere more stable and with better living conditions.

[celtics2030]

All hypocrites in here lol.

Salty, butthurt, whatever you want to call it.

I can understand Ray , Pierce, and Garnett, being at odds with eachother.

But I laugh at the fans, you all look like cry baby sissies. That goes for all who decide to make fun of Ray or rip him to pieces, then actually expect no response. I still don't believe Ray responded like that, but w/e.

Money that Bradley just had his own epiphany...

Traded to a crappy Detroit team.

Yea gotta love Celtics and those fans, why didnt you guys do something to save Bradley from wasting his time in Detroit this year?

[jambr380]

Eh, I'm just not really a fan of how everything went down. Ray made a decision and he needs to live with the consequences. There had been a pretty heated rivalry between Lebron and the Cs since Ray and KG had come to town; to then take half as much money to join forces with him (as a back-up) without even mentioning it to PP or KG just seems wrong.

He can blame Danny for always trying to trade him and he can say that Cs fans need to get over it, but I don't think it will ever sit quite right with me. I also don't see any reason why we need to feel bad for him - he hit one of the most infamous shots in NBA Finals history. He also played for two other franchises for as long or longer than he played with the Cs.

There is no reason for all out hatred, but also no reason to present him with balloons and parades.

[tonydelk]

Of course we have to get over it, the man is right.
But before we do, he deserves all these years of treatment (from fans and KG/Rondo)
Whatever his reasons, you don't give up on your (champions) teammates just to go with the number 1 enemy for an easy ring. The guy is like KD, he doesn't get the main point.

No mister Allen, you are not a Celtics. It just happen that you won a ring in Boston, that's all.
A Celtics sacrifices for the team. You exactly did the opposite.

TP.  I feel similar but I will always state that Ray was vital to willing that championship.  He is exactly like KD.  Nothing wrong with that but own it.  I wanted to win more championships and I had a better shot in Miami then Boston.  He is as bitter as celtics fans.

[Hank Finkel]

Eh, I'm just not really a fan of how everything went down. Ray made a decision and he needs to live with the consequences. There had been a pretty heated rivalry between Lebron and the Cs since Ray and KG had come to town; to then take half as much money to join forces with him (as a back-up) without even mentioning it to PP or KG just seems wrong.

He can blame Danny for always trying to trade him and he can say that Cs fans need to get over it, but I don't think it will ever sit quite right with me. I also don't see any reason why we need to feel bad for him - he hit one of the most infamous shots in NBA Finals history. He also played for two other franchises for as long or longer than he played with the Cs.


There is no reason for all out hatred, but also no reason to present him with balloons and parades.

Excellent response, I totally agree.  Who is he to tell the fans how to feel though.  He became the villain as soon as he signed with the enemy.  He needs to get over it and accept his fate as a traitor to all Celtics fans.

[gift]

I'm over it. It's more enjoyable to think fondly of the good years and the championship in 2008 than to think of the years he left behind where the celtics weren't going to win anyway.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I believe the Celtics are holding an official celebration/recognition at some point next year for the 2008 team (not the one hosted by Rondo). I'd like to see Ray welcomed.

I wouldn't retire his number though. Not because of any bitterness, but I just think the longevity and defining association with the team wasn't enough.

[Sketch5]

I'm not mad, just disappointed. 

I think it would have been understandable if he left because of all the trade rumors. If he would have gone to the Spurs,Hawks, or even the Lakers I think it would have been more understandable then him leaving for the team that just beat them in the EFC. And the most hated team at the time.

And then he turns down more money and a rumored no trade clause (most likely KG request) just feels like he spat in our faces to go to an easier thing.

[RockinRyA]

All hypocrites in here lol.

Salty, butthurt, whatever you want to call it.

I can understand Ray , Pierce, and Garnett, being at odds with eachother.

But I laugh at the fans, you all look like cry baby sissies. That goes for all who decide to make fun of Ray or rip him to pieces, then actually expect no response. I still don't believe Ray responded like that, but w/e.

Money that Bradley just had his own epiphany...

Traded to a crappy Detroit team.

Yea gotta love Celtics and those fans, why didnt you guys do something to save Bradley from wasting his time in Detroit this year?

Because Bradley, as much as I love him, deserves a raise, and he wont be getting it from this team.

Doc, even if not loved by many, didnt receive the same backlash as Ray did, because he didnt leave for a rival team.

Oh BTW, you are no different, you also did nothing for AB. You are in no position to hold yourself high and mighty above us. You are actually the biggest hypocrite here, saying that after your relentless bashing of Marcus Smart.

[fairweatherfan]

I've never been mad at Ray. I was disappointed he left, but time bore out that it was absolutely the correct decision for his career.

His teammates might have more cause to feel personally betrayed, but fans should understand that the NBA's a business and both players and teams have every right to cut bait when they've got the opportunity.