Allen, Rondo, Pietrus likely out Friday; Doc Rivers admits Celtics traded and un-traded Ray Allen
Doc Rivers doesn’t much care about home court advantage. He would much rather get his troops healthy for the first round and beyond.
“Listen, if you can get [home court advantage] it’s great,” he said. “But health [or] rest, I’m clearly going to go with health.”
Rivers also confirmed Adrian Wojnarowski’s report that the Celtics told Ray Allen he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, then later told him something to the effect of, “Sike!”
Yes, that awkwardness actually happened.
“It was more Danny [Ainge]. But [Allen] knew about it,” Rivers said. “I don’t see it’s a big deal. That was, what, a month ago? I’m serious. I don’t get the big deal of it. But it was a scary moment for all of us.”
Rivers went on to explain his use of the term scary.
“If you lose Ray, that’s a scary moment. He’s pretty good still,” he said, adding, ”I wouldn’t want to see Ray, Paul or Kevin ever leave. That’s just how you are. So even if we got the best deal in the world, you’re still losing guys you have an attachment with. That’s pretty scary for me or any of us.”
Allen could have gone the Lamar Odom way and demanded a trade upon learning that his team was willing to trade him elsewhere. But Rivers said the NBA’s most prolific three-point shooter ever quickly got over whatever anger or disappointment he felt.
“Not much at all, really,” Rivers said when asked what he needed to say to smooth things over. “The guys are great. Really, that’s the point. Afterwards, we were all good. We just move forward. That’s what I love about this team.”
There’s classy, and then there’s “I just got traded by the team I’m supposed to show loyalty to, and then they un-traded me, but I’m not going to complain because hell, I’m Ray Allen” classy. It’s unclear whether Rivers is telling the full truth regarding Allen’s attitude (or lack thereof) to the near-deal, but Allen’s decision not to make a stink still rings of true professionalism.
Now, if only his balky ankles could stop becoming swollen.
Related posts:
- Rajon Rondo likely to return Friday, according to Doc Rivers
- What if the Celtics had never traded for Ray Allen?
- Doc Rivers: Rajon Rondo may play Friday vs. New Orleans
- Ray Allen was told he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies: This fun ride probably shouldn’t be happening
- Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Mickael Pietrus out against Magic
Celtics Blog | Jay King | April 19, 2012
I don’t think there is anything classy about not complaining when you SHOULD complain. There is no way these Celtics vets should put up with being treated like pieces of meat, with having to keep their bags packed by their doors at all times. Pierce’s threat to retire was an obvious way of making this point. He was right to do that. Ainge needs to hear some talk back from the players about this.
We human beings have the ability to complain because it’s a thing we need to have. We don’t need to complain all the time, but there are times when we need to complain.
I’ll bet you this: I’ll bet Danny added several million to what it will take to re-sign Garnett and Allen due to the way he keeps his Ainge Express always running. Those millions may be what costs us some other player we need.
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Bulls*** paul…DA has not cost the team anything. He actually improved it by not pulling the trigger. And all players understand that they can be traded…even the best. This happens in all sports. I’m a life long SF Giants fan and they traded the greatest center-fielder ever, to get better, when Willie’s career was on the wane. Same for Montana and now Manning. Few players get to retire with their original teams, especially nowadays. I don’t like the fact that RA and PP were in trade talks and almost moved, but if it would have made the team’s future better then so be it. But life has a funny way of working out (i.e. happening) while making plans (John Lennon) and because of injuries that we all hated this team found a very reliable SG in AB, and RA took one for the team to be the 6th man, and our future looks much better than it did just 6 weeks ago. Lastly, I don’t ‘need to complain’ but do comment when I see great talent not giving effort when being paid millions to do so. They don’t have to win but they do have to give effort and fight like they mean it. We could be the 2nd seed at a minimum if this team played this way earlier in the season and if they ever buy into rebounding better (especially on their defensive end…which still sucks) which they have lately. The season and team are better before the moves made last summer and a lot of that is to DA’s credit and players like KG, RR, AB, BB and GS giving monstrous effort. Go Cs…
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NEVER trade Ray Allen. How the hell are you gonna trade the greatest 3 point shooter of ALL-TIME. It don’t make no sense.
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Danny Ainge ought to take a lesson from Red. You don’t trade legends like Pierce and Allen who both could have signed with bonafide contenders and left the Celtics in shambles. Show them the loyalty that they have shown to you. Hasn’t he learned his lesson from Perkins, Tony Allen, or ames Posey? Reward those who have rewarded you.
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