How Much More For Ray?

by Jeff Clark on Mar 5, 2009 8:31 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Chris Mannix takes a look at how much longer Ray Allen might play:

After watching Allen torch New Jersey for 16 points Wednesday, including a game-tying three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, you have to wonder: How long can the 33-year-old play at this high a level?

"I don't think he's going to lose his shot any time soon," Rivers said. "And as long as you can shoot in our league, you can probably play in our league for a long time."

Allen says several variables -- the state of the Celtics and his family, to name a couple -- will determine how long he is going to play. A Western Conference GM, citing Allen's age and recent ankle surgeries, said that Allen will probably only command a three-year deal worth between $25-30 million when he becomes a free agent in 2010. But Rivers says there is one overriding reason why Allen can "probably play as long as he wants to."

"When he gets to 50, if you put Ray Allen behind the three, would you guard him?" Rivers asked. "You sure would."

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I don’t think Ray “torched” the Nets last night. But I’d love to see him stick around for a while (at a reduced rate, of course).

by Bankshot on Mar 5, 2009 8:39 AM EST reply actions

"Torch"

“After watching Allen torch New Jersey for 16 points Wednesday”

I guess Mr. Mannix has a different idea of “torch.”

Allen was 3-8 from the field.

by OW_Holmes on Mar 5, 2009 8:43 AM EST reply actions

he did hit the shot to tie the game

but I don’t think the main point was last night so much as it was the years ahead of Ray

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Mar 5, 2009 8:50 AM EST reply actions

Answer: As long as he wants. I’m sure the family needs will tug at him over the next few years.

by johnnymost on Mar 5, 2009 8:56 AM EST reply actions

I think Mr. Mannix just picked a silly time to release this article.

Anyway, Ray has been a “God Send” and has played incredible this year.
I’m thinking he would like to stay here after 2010 and would give us a Hometown discount.
But if you listen to Bill Simmons there might not be NBA in 2011 and the landscape might change a bit so I think we should play out this year and next before we jump ahead.

If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.

by Captain Comeback on Mar 5, 2009 9:05 AM EST reply actions

Anyone going to the Game tomorrow?

I’m headed up! Can’t wait! My first trip to Garden this year!
I’m hoping it’s a playoff like atmosphere could be an important game deciding the first seed.
I’d really like to get that Game in our building.

If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.

by Captain Comeback on Mar 5, 2009 9:09 AM EST reply actions

I've said before...

Ray will continue to be an effective basketball player much later than most players due to the nature of his game and his work ethic. ie Reggie Miller. That said, i think Ray will call it quits before his game gets to the point where a team will call it quits on him.

I believe Ray will want to remain with the C’s, even for a discounted rate. I really really hope he does. Could there be a better vet presence than Ray Allen?

by cordialb on Mar 5, 2009 9:15 AM EST reply actions

why are we worrying about this now? the thing that separates Ray from other players is his conditioning and preparation. He can play as long as he wants to play. Reggie miller could play right now if he were willing to pay the price to get in shape etc.

by Red2 on Mar 5, 2009 9:18 AM EST reply actions

I agree

I don’t understand why so many people think that Ray is teetering on the edge of his career. I would bet that Ray has more years left at his current level of production than any other of the similarly-aged Celtics, except maybe Marbury.

by papa shuttlesworth on Mar 5, 2009 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

Why do you assume ‘other players’ are not as conditioned as Ray? There are obviously some players that are out of shape and don’;t take as good care of themselves but alot of them are in just as good shape.

by NoraG1 on Mar 5, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

We can definitly say that Ray Allen is in top shape...

…and that´s all that really matters.

http://www.grafxhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/rayallen2.jpg

by Casperian on Mar 5, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

"Why do you assume ‘other players’ are not as conditioned as Ray"

Because most arent

by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 5, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

To Add To This

Ray is in the shape of someone 3-5 years younger in chronologic age. Part of this is his body type. But more important Ray intellectualizes it. He also has the self-discipline to set rules for himself and follow them maybe to a fault. When I say Ray intellectualizes it I remember his talking about his off-season training. He said he had never played such a long season and had such a short off-season. He really wasn’t sure how to balance healing his body and staying in shape, but knew he had to do something different because of this new circumstance. And he figured out a way to do it. Alot of players will go thru the motions of staying in shape, but do the same thing all the time. Ray changed his routine, KG his and PP lost weight knowing it would help him as he gets older. Even Marbury talked about what he did to stay in shape during the “Knick thing” and changed the things he usually did.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Mar 5, 2009 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

i agree cordialb. he’s a reggie miller.he will take the discount because i hope all the salaries will come down because of the business downturn. ray knows how totake care of his bones.

by nazzbo on Mar 5, 2009 9:50 AM EST reply actions

Ray like Reggie

I love the guy and he will still be able to shoot “when he’s 50” like Doc says. But just like Reggie, Ray is done when he can’t get open anymore. Watch how Ray has to move to get that shot. Lose a step and the defender is back on him. And he will lose a step.

I also loved the fact that our team was relatively “tat-less” team (Eddie excepted). Now with Moore and Marbury we are looking as bad as the other teams. I’d love the Globe or SI or even Psychology Today to do a story on what’s missing in these guys’ ego that they do that to themselves.

by Wildblu1 on Mar 5, 2009 11:25 AM EST reply actions

Maybe they just like tattoos?

Not sure we need a psychological explanation.

Tattoos, as far as I can tell, are a lot more common than they used to be. Granted, I do live in New York City.

by PJ Martinez on Mar 5, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

OK I thought I was the only one who loved the relatively tat-freeness of the Celtics. Everyone else thinks its bizarre when I say that. But even with M&M I don’t think the Celts are as bad as the other teams out there. I agree it’ll be interesting to understand the importance of tattoos in the NBA. Is Ray the only player out there without a tattoo? I think I’ve heard him say he gets asked why he doesn’t have one all the time.

by twinbree on Mar 5, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

I hate all the tatoos too,

but they don’t really bother me to the point where I think it has anything to do with their character. I just think it looks extremely unattractive! Yuk! I can’t imagine women liking that look.

by Bankshot on Mar 5, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Ray Not Getting Open

But just like Reggie, Ray is done when he can’t get open anymore. Watch how Ray has to move to get that shot. Lose a step and the defender is back on him. And he will lose a step.

Ray gets open by moving around, usually multiple, picks that he uses. He doesnt’ move very fast now to get to his spots. He also receives the ball in just the right place at just the right time. It’s not the speed that makes Ray effective. It’s his intelligence of knowing how to use the picks and he does rely on his teammates to get him the ball correctly. In addition, if you notice Ray when he drives to the basket he is not Rondo. It is the slowest move to the basket I’ve seen, I think. Ray just knows how to delay a split second, how to recognize how ready his defender is, who is backing up his defender and where he is positioned. He then uses his body to ward off anyone trying to block his shot. It was said about Larry Bird that he never lost a step from the time he joined the Celtics to the day he retired. That is because he never had a step to begin with. I look at Ray in the same way. His speed or quickness is not what makes him such a great player. It’s his intelligence. He also needs to be on the right team and this is the perfect situation for him.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Mar 5, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

three-year deal worth between $25-30 million

I like Ray, but I bet his next deal won’t value anything near that.

by cordobes on Mar 5, 2009 1:59 PM EST reply actions

I've already admitted to being sentimental...

but I would really like to see Ray retire a Celtic. He just seems to embody the Celtic ethic. Besides, I just don’t see him slowing down as quickly as some other 30 year olds in the league. I’m not sure how long he’ll be around, or how much money he’ll make, but I do think he fits in perfectly with this team.

That said, I see the economic realities of the situation. But I also don’t know who you can realistically get for him that would make this team better.

by illantari on Mar 5, 2009 2:09 PM EST reply actions

I Agree

I think Ray should be signed to a contract that expires when the contracts of KG and PP do. I also think he should retire as a Celtic, and even though he may not be here as long as other players I would like to see his and the jerseys of KG and PP raised to the rafter regardless of what happens from here on. Even if these 3 can’t compete for a championship in a few years they could teach what it means to be a Celtic to the new players who are coming in. This to has value.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Mar 5, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

this is all irrelevant right now…Ray Allen looks like he can go just as long as KG/PP at the this level

by TheAncientRivalry on Mar 5, 2009 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Resign Ray for a team friendly deal. Resign PP for a team friendly deal. Same with KG. Mix in a key vet signing (Sheed, Hill, etc.). Then have enough cap room to sign Kevin Durant and get him out of the midwest back to the east coast. Danny’s plan.

by celty86 on Mar 5, 2009 5:17 PM EST reply actions