It's NBA time

[HotHamWater]

Any day now.....

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA
Ray Allen has informed Boston that he has decided to sign with Miami, league source tells Y! Sports.

[obzen]

Gross, I just saw pictures on Deadspin of someone "who looks to be" Andris Biedrins getting head...

Trying to pronounce that name in my head whilst drunk is fucked off.

[Mr. Dylanja]

Just call him "Beans," or maybe, "Brains."

[santasutt]

Any day now.....

And may his game continue to decline....

Ray, you're dead to me bro.

Sigh.

[stuporfly]

The Celtics tried to trade Allen a bunch of times. He helped Boston win a title. He hasn't been a Celtic his entire career. The Heat paid less but really did seem to make him feel more wanted. I can see being bummed out he's gone, but the reaction from Boston is almost absurd...

Decision 2.0: How Could You, Ray?

Jesus is now Judas ... again.

Following in the footsteps of former Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon and his 2006 dash to the rival Yankees, former Celtics guard Ray Allen at least temporarily wiped away five years of goodwill Friday night when he took less money to sign with the rival Miami Heat.

The man affectionately known as Jesus Shuttlesworth will be branded a traitor after taking half the paycheck to chase another title with the world champs, rather than try to topple the East's new juggernaut with his Big Three brethren.

When Allen returned from Miami without giving a formal decision to the Heat brass about his future, many Boston supporters took it as an encouraging sign that loyalty, and a bigger payday, would win out.

As Celtics coach Doc Rivers said last week, the idea of Allen in a Heat jersey was practically unfathomable.

But Allen became the latest to take his talents to South Beach on Friday night, and Heat owner Micky Arison alerted the world as he subtly bragged about the acquisition on Twitter. Arison might want to send one of his cruise ships to squire Allen out of town, as a throng of green-dipped pitchforks are probably standing outside his gates in Wellesley.

It's going to take a while for most Celtics fans to be able to swallow this news.

There will come a time, maybe even as soon as Allen's first visit to TD Garden next season, when those Boston fans will be able to stomach the sight of what had previously been just a LeBron James-retweeted photoshop of Allen in a No. 20 Heat jersey.

Eventually, fans will reflect fondly on Allen's contributions and remember that he was the first domino to fall in place for Boston's new Big Three (well, besides those pesky pingpong balls that went the wrong way). If the Celtics hadn't traded for him on draft night in 2007, it's unlikely Kevin Garnett would have ever arrived to round out the Big Three.

Allen aided a championship season in 2007-08, as well as a run to the cusp of another in 2010. He quietly averaged 16.7 points per game and twice set the Celtics' team record for 3-point percentage in a season. Last year, he became the NBA's all-time leader in trifectas while wearing a Boston uniform.

Over the last two seasons, Allen took a discount to return to Boston in 2010, endured constant trade chatter at the last two deadlines, and lost his starting job last season while battling bone spurs in his ankle that hindered him late in the year and into the postseason.

None of that really matters to Boston fans at the moment. The bottom line is that Allen is joining forces with a bitter rival, one that has knocked the Celtics out of the postseason in each of the last two seasons, and Boston fans are downright angry.

About the only thing worse would have been Allen landing in a Lakers jersey. Even then, their paths would have crossed only twice per season. The Celtics and Heat meet four times each year and have jousted in the playoffs each of the last three seasons.

Next year's postseason showdown seems inevitable, and it's likely that none of the luster of Allen going up against his old team will be lost during four regular-season meetings.

But Allen's decision only further spices up a budding rivalry. The Celtics spent the last week putting much of their 2011-12 roster back together with the idea of making another charge at the Heat.

Miami spoiled the party, wooing Allen away on the sales pitch of Pat Riley (along with James and Dwyane Wade). Oh sure, you can totally understand why Allen would be lured by the glitz and glamour of South Beach. The golf clubs don't go into hibernation in the winter, and with a Big Three of their own -- James, Wade and Chris Bosh -- Miami is positioned to be a perennial contender moving forward.

Allen might not have a definitive role with the Heat quite yet -- heck, he didn't in Boston, either, with the offseason addition of Jason Terry -- but we saw in the postseason how 3-point threats like Mike Miller and Shane Battier benefited from clean looks as James and Wade attacked the basket. Even with a diminished ability to generate his own shot as he prepares to turn 37 and comes off ankle surgery, you can envision Allen bouncing back next year because of the open shots he'll enjoy as part of Miami's offense.

As much sense as the move made, Celtics fans don't want to hear any of it.

Boston was positioned to offer a two-year, $12 million contract that would have paid Allen twice the annual salary that Miami offered. But money clearly wasn't the biggest incentive here for Allen.

The feeling of being wanted probably was near the top of his wish list, and Miami made Allen its biggest offseason priority. Boston maintained a strong desire to have Allen back next season, but put far more energy into bringing back Garnett and Brandon Bass, along with lining up deals with Terry and Jeff Green. It's somewhat remarkable that Garnett, Bass and Terry are all looking at three-year deals (and Green's might be even longer), but the Celtics offered only a two-year pact for Allen.

Allen almost certainly felt as though Miami was pulling the rope harder in this two-team tug-of-war. The Celtics wanted him; the Heat wanted him more.

What can we learn from Damon's time in New York? It took three years, but he got his elusive second title with the Yankees in 2009 -- though not before the Red Sox got their second in 2007. Celtics fans are hoping that Pierce and Garnett get to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy again before Allen and his new teammates do.

The Celtics are hoping to make Allen regret his decision. That might be the only way the sting from his decision Friday could ever truly dissolve for most Boston fans.

It's a good move for Miami. Allen isn't a consistent threat anymore, but he doesn't really have to be on the Heat. And when he's on, even now, it still looks like he'll never miss another shot.

Besides, lots of people head to Florida in their twilight years. He's probably just scouting condos in Del Boca Vista for retirement.

[HotHamWater]

And may his game continue to decline....

Ray, you're dead to me bro.

Sigh.

He only spent 5 of his 16 years in the NBA with the Celtics. It's not like Havlicek, McHale, Bird, or Paul Pierce left. He's more of a Buck or Sonic, to me. And he gracefully accepted his role in Boston, after being the main guy wherever he was prior to that, to help Boston win a title. Talk about ungrateful sports fans.

So it's ok for the Celtics to try to trade him over the past two seasons, but he's a traitor if he leaves for free-agency? What the hell kind of sense does that make? He's also taking less money to go to Miami, so it's not some cash grab. He just didn't feel like Boston wanted him that much, and he and Rondo don't like each other, so he chose to play elsewhere.

[luckyface]

So it's ok for the Celtics to try to trade him over the past two seasons, but he's a traitor if he leaves for free-agency? What the hell kind of sense does that make? He's also taking less money to go to Miami, so it's not some cash grab. He just didn't feel like Boston wanted him that much, and he and Rondo don't like each other, so he chose to play elsewhere.

Spot on. I am so tired of the Boston sports fan mentality. He was on the trade block for multiple seasons. He was TOLD he was traded to Memphis at the deadline this year by the Celtics management. And he needs to be loyal to the organization??

[unit300021]

He only spent 5 of his 16 years in the NBA with the Celtics. It's not like Havlicek, McHale, Bird, or Paul Pierce left. He's more of a Buck or Sonic, to me. And he gracefully accepted his role in Boston, after being the main guy wherever he was prior to that, to help Boston win a title. Talk about ungrateful sports fans.

So it's ok for the Celtics to try to trade him over the past two seasons, but he's a traitor if he leaves for free-agency? What the hell kind of sense does that make? He's also taking less money to go to Miami, so it's not some cash grab. He just didn't feel like Boston wanted him that much, and he and Rondo don't like each other, so he chose to play elsewhere.

Spot on. I am so tired of the Boston sports fan mentality. He was on the trade block for multiple seasons. He was TOLD he was traded to Memphis at the deadline this year by the Celtics management. And he needs to be loyal to the organization??

Exactly. Ray Allen helped the Celtics to two NBA championships, winning one of them. Also helped them come one game away from going to a third one. Not bad for only 5 years playing for a team. Not to mention those 5 years are less then a 1/3 of his career. Considering the fact the past two seasons he had to deal with potentially being traded. And if the Celtics really wanted him back so much then why did they go sign Terry, who plays essentially the same role, so fast before even really talking to Ray? Don't get me wrong I hate Ray Allen on Miami just as much as the next guy but give me a break he doesn't owe the Celtics anything.

[ThomThom]

I think Miami was clearly the best fit for him, the only other team that would have also seemed as good of a fit would have been the Clippers but they went with the younger choice (Crawford). His role in Boston had diminished tremendously, even before his bone spurs and ankle issues I would see the NBA's all time 3 point leader running around screens for 30 minutes of a game without being acknowledged by Rondo and on top of that he was almost a Memphis Grizzly twice over the last 2 seasons...

Fuck the Celtics.

[santasutt]

Spot on. I am so tired of the Boston sports fan mentality. He was on the trade block for multiple seasons. He was TOLD he was traded to Memphis at the deadline this year by the Celtics management. And he needs to be loyal to the organization??

With Ray Allen and Boston, it went beyond "the organization."


Ray Allen’s decision leaves hole in community
By Christine McConville | Sunday, July 8, 2012 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Coverage

Photo by Arthur Pollock

It’s not just the computer labs he gave to kids, or the money he donated to diabetes research that make former Boston Celtics [team stats] guard Ray Allen such a hard act to follow, his fans said yesterday.

Allen, who agreed to terms with the Miami Heat, had all-star moves both off and on the court, his fans said.

“He’s a great ballplayer,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday after an opening ceremony at the Dr. Loesch Family Park in Dorchester. “Off the court, he was a star also. He is a very special guy.”

Yesterday morning, Celtics fans were dealing with the reality that after five seasons with the Celtics, Allen was packing his bags and heading to Miami, where he’ll take less money to play for the NBA champion Heat.

“Losing a player of his caliber always hurts,” said Ivan Liriano, 26, of Dorchester. “But to see him going to Miami, that’s a nightmare.”

Others said they have nothing but respect for the man who quietly contributed so much to his adopted hometown.

“We owe him a lot,” said Christmas, who was cutting hair at Cut N’ Edge barber shop on Massachusetts Avenue yesterday. Allen’s decision had been discussed all day long, he said.

“He did a lot for the community, and he’s a great human being,” said Christmas, who only uses one name.

Allen last year donated a $30,000 computer lab to the Sarah Greenwood School in Dorchester through his Ray of Hope Foundation — his second such donation to a Boston middle school. And both he and his wife, Shannon, have actively raised thousands for the Joslin Diabetes Center during their years in Boston. Their son, Walker, has Type 1 diabetes.

The guys at the barber shop, who said athletes and Celtics coach Doc Rivers regularly stop by for a trim, said they never spotted Allen — a reported “homebody” — out on the town, but Menino said he had run into him a lot, over the years, at different charitable events.

“I remember seeing him a lot at the community center on Dudley Street, where he gave away turkeys at the holidays,” Menino said. “He really believed in giving back to the community.”

Menino said that charitable spirit came from Allen’s mother, Flo.

“His mother would be at every home game, cheering him along,” he said.

But where so many saw his departure as the city’s loss, Cut N’ Edge barber Keith Gordon pointed out that it creates an opportunity, too.

“It will be a huge loss to this town, but it’s the best for him,” Gordon said. “He can win another ring with Miami, and maybe we can get a shooter.”

[unit300021]

So if that's all true, then you just made yourself look even worse by claiming he is dead to you.

[HotHamWater]

What is he going to do? Take away the computers and money for diabetes that he donated? Not to diminish what he's done up there with the community, but many free-agents leave a city that they impacted like that. He's had ties to the area for a long time, even before he played for Boston, so I wouldn't be surprised if he continued his charitable efforts in Boston and the northeast. I agree with unit, too. It makes the fans look even worse.

[santasutt]

What is he going to do? Take away the computers and money for diabetes that he donated? Not to diminish what he's done up there with the community, but many free-agents leave a city that they impacted like that. He's had ties to the area for a long time, even before he played for Boston, so I wouldn't be surprised if he continued his charitable efforts in Boston and the northeast. I agree with unit, too. It makes the fans look even worse.

Ok, I will spell it out for you non-Boston sports fans.

HE TOOK LESS MONEY TO PLAY FOR THE MIAMI HEAT!!!!

Not the Suns nor the Raptors nor the Grizz nor the T-Wolves, The F-ing Heat.

Now do you get it?

If not, look up Damon, Johnny; winter of 2004.

Fuck's sake.

[Gribbz]

How long have the Heat and the Celtics been rivals? 2, 3 seasons? I might be sympathetic to your argument if they were the "New York Heat."

[Somewhat Damaged]

Yeah, a Celtic going to the Heat isn't tantamount to a Red Sox player going to the Yankees.

[HotHamWater]

It might be like Johnny Damon going to the Angels. They've played in the playoffs recently, but nobody actually gives a shit and it's not much of a rivalry.

Boston sports fans, thanks in large part to Bill Simmons, are proving that they might be the worst around.

[santasutt]

How long have the Heat and the Celtics been rivals? 2, 3 seasons? I might be sympathetic to your argument if they were the "New York Heat."

Celtics-Knicks has taken a back seat to Celtics-Heat, Celtics-Magic since the final glory days of Cambridge's Pat Ewing.

Apart from last year, when was the last season the Knicks's mattered?

Too busy to Google this.

[santasutt]

Yeah, a Celtic going to the Heat isn't tantamount to a Red Sox player going to the Yankees.

Correct.

But recent wounds still festering.

[santasutt]

It might be like Johnny Damon going to the Angels. They've played in the playoffs recently, but nobody actually gives a shit and it's not much of a rivalry.

Boston sports fans, thanks in large part to Bill Simmons, are proving that they might be the worst around.

THis is why you can't live here, with all due respect.

[PlayaDelWes]

The Celtics / Heat rivalry is about as real as the Celtics / Pacers rivalry back in 2003-2005.

[schoolofruckus]

Whatever the rotation may be, Nash will be adding depth to the bench.

Are you high as fuck? Nash averaged 11 assists/game last year. He will be starting at point guard and playing major minutes.

In other news, I might become a Laker fan now.

[HotHamWater]

So, a deal sending Dwight Howard to the Nets may happen soon.

From @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Proposed deal (cont'd): The Clippers would receive MarShon Brooks.
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6m Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Proposed deal (cont'd): The Cavs get Kris Humprhries in a S&T, Quentin Richardson, Sundiata Gaines, a 1st round pick from the Nets & cash
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6m Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Proposed deal (cont'd): Magic picks would be: two 1st rd picks from Nets & a lottery protected 1st from the Clippers.
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6m Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Proposed deal (cont'd): Magic get Brook Lopez in S&T, Luke Walton, Damian James, Sheldon Williams, Armon Johnson and 3 first round picks
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6m Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Proposed Nets-Magic deal: Nets would get Dwight Howard, Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon & Earl Clark. http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/s …
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9m Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Sources: Four-way Nets-Magic-Cavs-Clippers trade for Dwight Howard getting "close" http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/s …
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24m Chad Ford ‏@chadfordinsider
Just going up on ESPN. Clipoers will be 4th team in D Howard deal. They would take back MarShon Brooks in return for a lottery protected 1st

I don't know what Orlando is thinking. They would get Brook Lopez, four useless players, and three low draft picks. I would say that it's all financial, and four of those contracts will just come off the books pretty soon, but Lopez will get signed to a max contract. Brook Lopez....max deal. Wow. Orlando is choosing to get fist fucked in all this. Fold the franchise.

[HotHamWater]

Are you high as fuck? Nash averaged 11 assists/game last year. He will be starting at point guard and playing major minutes.

In other news, I might become a Laker fan now.

PlayaDelWes: Thinks Steve Blake is better than Steve Nash since 2012.

[PlayaDelWes]

Are you high as fuck? Nash averaged 11 assists/game last year. He will be starting at point guard and playing major minutes.

In other news, I might become a Laker fan now.

Nash (s) / Sessions (b) > Sessions (s) / Blake (b).

[schoolofruckus]

How does that answer the question? Also, isn't Sessions gone?

[HotHamWater]

Yeah, Sessions is going to play elsewhere next year.

[PlayaDelWes]

Right, with Sessions gone, my point is invalid. Even so, I never said Nash wouldn't start. I simply suggested that his addition would push depth down at PG.

[schoolofruckus]

It unsettles me that we're going to have overlapping rooting interest.

[stuporfly]

So, a deal sending Dwight Howard to the Nets may happen soon.

The wildcard here is the former Mr. Kim Kardashian, who has to agree to a sign-and-trade to Cleveland. Apparently his agent (who also represents Dwight Howard) is trying to convince him to sign it as a one-year deal and potentially hit the market again next year. But does Humphries finally get sick of being rejected and dig in his heels? He's averaged a double-double in each of the past two seasons, so he's not a complete joke, but still...

[HotHamWater]

The wildcard here is the former Mr. Kim Kardashian, who has to agree to a sign-and-trade to Cleveland. Apparently his agent (who also represents Dwight Howard) is trying to convince him to sign it as a one-year deal and potentially hit the market again next year. But does Humphries finally get sick of being rejected and dig in his heels? He's averaged a double-double in each of the past two seasons, so he's not a complete joke, but still...

Why would Cleveland agree to the deal if it couldn't get more than one season out of Kardashian?


Oh, because Dan Gilbert wants to royally fuck the Heat and knows he can't do it with his own franchise.