Another fawning piece by Gary Washburn on an aging athlete whose skills are declining, but can't admit it. Again, Ray has lost a couple of steps the last 3 seasons or so. Before his bone chips injury, for the first time he had difficulties defending; and difficulties shaking off the player defending him. His ball handlng and passing skills are eroding - numerous turnovers. As he loses his quickness and speed, the game is becoming too fast for him. I wish that Gary, who is otherwise an excellent NBA columnist, would point this out. Hard to see how Ray could collect $ 10 million for a lousy year and then claim "I don't get no respect". Ray is blaming everyone but himself. A comment to yesterday's article had it right - he's an "aging diva".

I take it that you are not disappointed in the fact that Allen has left the Celtics. Good for you. He was evidently doing the Celtics a favor when he left. You, more that likely, have been advocating his trade for some time, haven't you? The Celtics fans are the worst in the league. Is it any wonder he left? Whiner.

As a long time season ticket holder I say "Bye Ray, thanks but don't let the door hit you on the way out". He is almost without question one of the greatest(or at least in the discussion)shooters of all time. He hit many big shots during his tenure here with the Celts. That being said, it was time to move on from Ray. It was obvious that he had lost a step or two defensively the past year or two. I know he had some injury issues but he was having defensive problems long before that. Beyond all that though he was just too one dimensional. If he wasn't knocking dow OPEN shots he was a liability. I know I know he spaced the floor. But he had a TERRIBLE handle and opponents immediately brought ball pressure whenever he would take the ball up. He was incapable of beating his man off the dribble or creating his own shot. In addition he missed way too many open layups although on this team he wasn't alone there. Parlay all that with the emergence of Avery Bradley and it's a no-brainer that Ray could no longer start here. Had the Celts not spent the first year and a half of Avery's career trying to fit his "round" game(off guard)into a "square" position(backup point guard)he may have been starting sooner. Granted we are basing all this on a small sample of Bradley's work but there's no doubt he's one of the best, if not the best, on the ball defenders in the league. So while Allen still had value on the Celtics it wasn't what it once was and he didn't seem willing to accept that. Again, he was part of a championship team here and he sacrificed shots when he came here but so did KG and Pierce to a lesser extent. And wouldn't you trade fewer shots for more wins and a championship? I for one will shed no tears no that he's gone and bear him no ill will for choosing Miami.

Most professional athletes these days are pampered divas, if not in the minds of management and the fans, then in their own minds. As everyone here has pointed out; Ray's defense is slumping, ball handling was never a strong suit with him and he had become a one trick pony really. 3 point shots. But even that talent has been diluted by age and injuries. The same will be true in Miami. I don't think the Celtics needed him anymore, its that simple. They have younger more talented guys waiting in the wings. I loved what Ray Allen did for this team and he is right; he will always be a fan favorite around here. But, it was time to move on. Just sorry he seems unable to control the diva side of his personality and make comments about how he didn't feel the "love". Ortiz is this kind of diva too. Strangely, many pro athletes seem unable to realize they are in a professional business and are going to be treated like chattel at some point in their careers. That is why the get the big bucks. Stop the whining when the day comes to move on.

Many people say that there is no easy way to leave Boston. There is always a kick or a slap for you on your way out the door. What I got from the news conference is that Ray bent over backwards to try to exercise as much diplomacy as humanly possible--perhaps because he intends to retire here or something--so that there would be no acrimony. Ainge made his decision and Ray made his. Perhaps the Celtics did not really want to re-sign Allen and presented him with an offer he could not accept. So as an intelligent man, he read the tea leaves and after considering his options, made a decision that he himself could live with. No hard feelings. Let' leave it at that. But this is Boston, where if you're not with us, then you are against us, or, if you don't fit in our plan, we look for a million reasons why you did not deserve to be here in the first place. Playing in Boston is like riding a tiger. There's a lot of fun while riding but when it's time to get off, then the next target of the tiger is YOU. Ray, save your "Love" for someplace that deserves it because Boston will never remember you when your gone.

A fine piece of work, Mr. Washburn. An accurate analysis of the circumstances attending Ray Allen's decision to depart. You know your stuff. Take a bow.