The Struggles of one Ray Allen, Under the Microscope
Ray Allen’s performance against the Cavs in the East Semis has led some to question the validity of the nickname “The Big Three”. It’s been more like the “Big Two and a Half”, as Allen has struggled mightily with his shot, and couldn’t score more than 10 ppg and shot well below 40% against Cleveland.
Allen and the Celtics know full well that he can’t afford to have a similar series against the Detroit Pistons.
“I think personally it’s tougher than anything I’ve ever seen,” he said yesterday after practice. Allen spent extra time launching 3-point shots from various spots around the arc.
“Just looking back on the times we played Cleveland throughout the year and in the series, I think they did everything they could to try to take away anything that I have. They made it tough for me to create any type of rhythm out there. Kudos to their game plan. They made it tough on a lot of us.”
Allen and the Celtics had better hope the hard work pays off in the Conference Finals. Because as much fun as it is to blame Doc Rivers for the team’s shortcomings, it’s inevitable that the finger will soon begin to point elsewhere should they continue.
44 Responses to “The Struggles of one Ray Allen, Under the Microscope”
May.20 at 12:03 pm
vmcb says:
first
May.20 at 12:04 pm
Kadavour says:
even Barkley said that “The Big Three” moniker has shifted LA
May.20 at 12:18 pm
Andrew says:
jesus needs help.
May.20 at 12:18 pm
Gumdrop says:
I love Ray, but to be honest, it didn’t seem like the Cavs actually did that much to stop him. He missed a lot of open shots.
May.20 at 12:19 pm
TADOne says:
I hope Flip was watching the Cavs defensive pressure they put on Boston, because Ray will not continue to miss wide open looks.
May.20 at 12:20 pm
Krishan says:
“YOU CAN DO IT, JESUS!” I picture a kid shouting that from the stands, and I can’t help but laugh a little.
May.20 at 12:27 pm
ciolkstar says:
jesus Shuttleworth is without a doubt the most preposterous nickname I’ve ever heard. Dude could not possibly be any more wide open unless he was in the gym by himself. Ray’s handle has never been great and now that the 3 is so off, he’s been trying to dribble drive and has turned the ball over a ton. Pierce seems to be aging at an ever increasing rate and KG’s been KG, but this team won’t go much further if he has to carry them offensively.
May.20 at 12:34 pm
ciolkstar says:
Pierce (to me) is Ginobili without the intensity. Ray is about equal to the Spur’s shooters committee (when he’s playing reasonably well) KG and Tim nullify each other. And Rondo is a more atheletic but less refined Tony Paker (with better D) Detroit has better match ups but just isn’t consistent enough. And the Lakers pose major problems for Det and Bos — What i guess I’m sayin is that THE WCF winner will hoist the trophy this year.
May.20 at 12:39 pm
TADOne says:
Yeah, Pierce looked really old scoring 41 pts against the Cavs.
May.20 at 12:43 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Ciolkstar: No sh*t the WC is mas macho. Ray having one amazing game at the Palace would be enough to lift the C’s over the Pistons. But the thing that really needs to happen is the C’s to win ONE away game. Having said that, it’s really not been fun to look at Jesus’s stat line. Finally, he is Jesus Shuttlesworth, and forever will be, because He Got Game is the best movie of all time.
May.20 at 12:45 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Marcel, post this: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1815040
May.20 at 12:46 pm
ciolkstar says:
He played one maybe two good game against the cavs. And yes, Dude looks old. Doesn’t mean he can’t step up on occasion. He gets bailed out on a lot of drives with the foul calls he is so skillful at drawing. he used to do the same thing on that Celt team with Toine, but it wasn’t near as slow/ugly.
May.20 at 12:48 pm
ciolkstar says:
I think Rondo is the Celtics third best player and has been during most of the season. When he plays efficiently they are tough to beat.
May.20 at 12:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Ray would’ve shot better if he had better teammates.
Wait, who are we talking about again?
May.20 at 12:59 pm
jbn74sb says:
LeBron would have shot better if he had a jump shot. Or a post game.
May.20 at 1:36 pm
B. Long says:
Ryan,Ryan,Ryan, do I even need to bring it up again. Really, I mean isn’t it pretty obivious that just because Ray Allen gives handjobs to members of the media that doesn’t mean he’s getting into the HOF?
May.20 at 1:36 pm
B. Long says:
I can’t believe “handjobs” didn’t get moderated.
May.20 at 1:54 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Bodie: Quit putting your name on Myles’ comments. Thank you.
May.20 at 1:55 pm
Captain America says:
B. (won’t be) Long, mods must be on coffee break. Drop! Drop! Drop! the “Big Three” crapola. This crew has no banners sucka.
May.20 at 2:07 pm
SMK says:
The Cavs were running doubles at Ray all series, forcing him to be a creator and either drive or dish. Honestly I think he’s got an injury - as good a shooter as Ray doesn’t look that bad unless something’s hurt. Also, his job doesn’t get any easier if he’s matched up on Rip Hamilton chasing him through all those Detroit screens. Tony Allen might have to play a role in this series against Rip (or Billups), a thought that gives all Celtic fans the screaming heebie-jeebies.
May.20 at 2:26 pm
King David says:
Jesus missed a lot of wide open shots in that series
May.20 at 2:44 pm
Sparker says:
here’s a theory. u know how doc rested the big 3 all season to keep them fresh? result: they’re not in playoff-brand shape. ray looks like he’s stuck in second gear out there, coasting when he shouldn’t be. kg seems a lot less springy as the game wears on, settling for long jumpers too often. and pierce looked really tired in Q4 of his resurrection game. contrast this with the 23 year old lebreezy, who just looked pissed off and dangerous
May.20 at 2:46 pm
Sparker says:
and has anyone ever seen rip hamilton or chauncy look tired? i’m just curious
May.20 at 3:36 pm
what says:
Yeah, just wait until Ray has to guard Rip for a whole series. Prediction: 20% shooting in the ECF.
May.20 at 3:43 pm
Double J says:
Ok Ok this is a note to steve kerr, Boston is playing spectacularly but Ray Allen is not, time to move some pieces and try to pick this guy up. Imagine a gunner in the game like allen alongside shaq and amare, with nashty feeding the whole thing! it would be beastly, michael beastly that is. Let’s see, boston would readily accept Diaw and Barbosa for him. I say MAKE IT HAPPEN!
May.20 at 4:02 pm
Tariq says:
Big Two and a Half is way too generous.
May.20 at 4:04 pm
albie1kenobi says:
why couldn’t the celtics draw maybe a play or two every quarter to keep ray in the flow? i don’t understand it.
May.20 at 4:13 pm
tealish says:
Ray Allen will be fine.
May.20 at 4:25 pm
AC says:
He better be… or the Celts CANNOT beat Detroit.
May.20 at 5:05 pm
Andnow...Conano'brien!! says:
I think Ray’s gonna be back in form soon enough. Great shooters don’t miss much for long. It all balances out. Sucks to be the opposing team though.
May.20 at 5:08 pm
youngmuggsy says:
ciolkstar: how can you watch a series in which lebron averaged over 5 turnovers per game and consider ray turnover prone?
May.20 at 6:32 pm
Kene says:
…’The Big Two and a Half’?…please, its been more like ‘The Big One and Three-Quarters’…because Ray-Ray’s disappeared and Garnett is only good for the first three quarters of the game.
May.20 at 6:43 pm
Boston Baller says:
Ray will be just fine. Read your latest issue of SLAM and feel the inner peace wash over you then check out the Celtics’ secret weapon on pg. 18. GAME TIME!!!!
May.20 at 7:33 pm
Aussie Gus says:
Jesus will be resurrected for the ECF!
May.20 at 8:55 pm
Dacre says:
Hmm… calling Ray Allen “Jesus” based on his movie is fine…but starting to refer to him as Jesus Christ (resurrection joke up above…) is blasphemous…. The Messiah would have averaged more than 10ppg against the Cavs last round.
May.20 at 9:55 pm
Will Lee says:
He’s having a Gary Payton 2nd half of the season slump
May.20 at 11:13 pm
Boston Baller says:
Ray may not have hit a jumper tonight but his defense was great and he went to the hole and had some key assists. 1 down 7 to go!!
May.21 at 1:26 am
andrew says:
Jesus will come good.. guys got too good a work ethic not too also this is really important.. CAN WE STOP WITH THE BIG THREE! I mean since the start of the year datz all i’ve heard.. and the label seems to have now shifted to any team with three decent players just stop it.. im beggin da media juss stop.. GO LAKERS!
May.21 at 1:37 am
Jukai says:
You know, I gotta say it… Ray Allen probably needs to be traded.
May.21 at 6:47 am
D-Mac says:
Pierce is aging man ur very misinformed
May.21 at 6:48 am
D-Mac says:
Ray is missing open shots but his D is much better than it ever has been
Rondo has clearly stepped into his own huh
May.21 at 9:09 am
RayAllensJ says:
1) The Celtics can clearly beat Detroit w/o me.
2) If Ray ever finds his jumper, Celtics in 4 or 5.
May.21 at 5:24 pm
Matt says:
haha i know tadone. he looked like the paul pierce of ‘01 in game 7. and he dropped 22 on TAYSHAUN PRINCE last night.
May.25 at 7:11 am
Ohpityme says:
Ray Allens old and broke down!
But thats no excuse for him missing jumpers!