Ray with Miami Brass courtesy of Twitter

I've been reading a lot of tweets and articles from Celtics fans on how they would feel about Ray Allen if he chose the Heat over the Celtics. Some fans say they will love Ray either way. Some fans say they would feel betrayed and just won't feel the same about him. I have to say, I'm closer to the second group. While I appreciate all that Ray has done in a Celtics uniform, and I respect Ray and his professionalism, I just can't cheer for him if he goes to the Heat.

I really hate the Heat. Even players I like seem to change after they go over to the dark side and join forces with LeBron and Wade. I loved Eddie House when he was a Celtic and he always had a great attitude in Boston. Not long after he got to Miami, he started spouting trash and just became very unlikeable. The same goes for Shane Battier. They just seem to get some kind of entitlement attitude when they get to Miami. As nice and as professional as Ray is, he will change once he gets paired up with Miami's egotistical three.


I've been watching some old clips of interviews with Ray. I've seen him talk about how being a Celtic is an honor. Ray has spoken about how he loves the Boston area and being close to family there. He's also said that Celtics fans are the best he's ever experienced anywhere. Miami fans will certainly be a step down. I mean, when you have to give out flyers on how to be an NBA fan, there's something wrong there.

I know he didn't like going to the bench last season, but it was so obvious that the Celtics were a better team with Avery in the starting lineup. Wanting to start, even if it makes your team worse, is purely selfish and moves Ray from a team player to a selfish player. A team player wants to do whatever it takes to make his team better. KG hates playing center but yet he did, because he knew it made the team better. He could have sulked and decided to retire because he was forced into a position he didn't like, but he didn't. That's a team player.

There have been rumors of a rift between Ray and Rondo. You will rarely find a team where all the players love each other. There were certainly several rifts between players on the Celtics teams of the 80's. Bird and McHale weren't best buddies off the court, but on the court, they were professionals and they knew they were a better team with both players on the court. Leaving because he doesn't like another player is petty and certainly hurts Ray's image as the ultimate professional.  There are other factors on both sides, though.  Miami has no state tax and the weather is definitely a plus.  Boston has Joslin Diabetes Center for Ray's son Walker.  Boston is also close to his and Shannon's families.  Those factors must be weighed as well and might make more sense than not getting along with a teammate.  I don't see playing time being much different for either team. 

The Celtics are offering twice the money. Danny is including a no trade clause. Doc said he is calling Ray every day. The Celtics certainly are doing all they can to show Ray that they want him back. In my book, if he leaves the Celtics to go to the Heat, one of the Celtics biggest rivals in the conference, he is thumbing his nose at the Celtics and their fans.  And since the Celtics are offering more money plus the trade kicker, the only reason for Ray to leave would be a feud with Rondo and not getting to start.  That to me isn't a team player.   Ray may still come back to Boston. I hope he does. But if he doesn't, he goes from Jesus to Judas.

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