I respect what Ray Allen did for the Celtics but he let pride and ego get in the way. Sorry but they were undeniably a better team with Avery Bradley starting. Ray couldn't accept that graciously. Defensively he had become a big liability while Bradley was the best on ball defender in the NBA. doc did the right thing and so did Danny. And Bob Ryan the issue here is Ray Allen pouting and acting petulant because he couldn't face reality. I'd never boo him but he lost my respect.

Gary Washburn is an excellent observer of the NBA but this is a powder puff piece on Ray Allen. Ray Allen has lost a couple of steps the last 3 seasons and declined last season even before his injury. He became a defensive liability and didn't get the usual number of touches because for the first time in his career, he couldn't shake off his defender. The game is becoming too fast for him. He has problems handling the ball and passing and with his high dribble it's become easier to knock the ball away. This isn't a knock on his personna or the great things he's done for this franchise. it's a comment on the reality of his play. I wouldn't have given him more than a veteran's minimum. He's in decline and very close to having to retire. Remember Eric Snow - his skill level declined quickly. It happens to all these guys.

With all due respect to Gary Washburn, this article makes no sense. 1) He writes that Ray Allen was angered that Avery Bradley was being considered to replace him in the starting lineup - because Allen "was bothered by recurring bone spurs in his right ankle". 2) Allen "hated the perception" that he was holding the team back on an ankle that desperately needed surgery. 3) Yet, when Bradley went down with a shoulder injury Allen tried to produce on his bad ankle and couldn't. Number 3 proved that Number 2 wasn't just a "perception" - it was evidence-based fact. It was real. Allen couldn't play - and Bradley had to play (before his shoulder was injured). So my question to Washburn is: Why do you create a false equivalency? As though Allen and the Celtics were equally in the wrong? Some plain talk would have been welcome here - instead of an obvious case of a reporter splitting hairs to maintain sources. Ray Allen was an aging diva. His behavior and exit revealed something about him - and in hindsight reveals something about the near-miss squads after the 08 title. It also helps us view Rondo in a more sympathetic light. As an aging diva Allen may have poisoned the locker room, and the on-court chemistry, more than any of us realized. Weak effort by Washburn.

I had Ray Allen as my favorite athlete on my facebook page - suffice to say I've been a big Ray Allen fan. But I think all of the fawning about his professionalism is a bit overdone. He put himself above the team (so much for ubuntu) and he sulked most of last season which was obvious on camera. I wonder if the Celtics will be better off without his gloomy me-first attitude. I would never boo him and I really hope no one does but I think it's time for the sportswriters in this town to get a grip.

Great article Gary. Sometimes things just happen and neither side is to blame. People always seem to want a villain in a situation like this but I don't believe there is one. I appreciate what Ray did for the Celtics and his professionalism during some rough times. How many NBA players have shown that level of professionalism? And Ray's a Hall of Famer! Hopefully he'll be cheered when he comes back to the Garden, even though he's playing for the enemy. He's the rare athlete you can say is a role model!!

Isn't the possibilty of being traded, unless the player has a no trade clause in his contract, inherent with being a professional athlete?

Goddbye Ray...time to REALLY see how great you are NOW.