Ray Ray is M.I.A.

Posted by Mike Giardi May 17, 2008 at 9:19 am

At what point do we stop calling the Celtics stars the “Big 3,” or “New 3,” or “Three Amigos,” or what have you, and just call it like it is: the C’s have two very good/great players and one shell of his former self. The latter, of course, being Ray Allen. He has been a non-factor in this series, much like he was a non-factor versus Atlanta. Oh sure, there’s been a game here, or a moment there, but Allen has mostly been invisible. If that trend continues, the Celts won’t beat Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals.

No preamble here. No “Ray’s a good guy.” I’m not going to cut him slack because he’s had to make the biggest adjustment of any player on the team; at least, any player acquired before Sam Cassell. That was allowed during the regular season. Allen’s now had 82 of those and another 13 games in the playoffs to adjust. Unless that adjustment consists of the C’s shooting guard becoming a wallflower, I’d say he’s failed at the most critical time, during the NBA’s second season.

Here’s what should have Celts fans ticked: Ray’s getting his lunch money taken by Wallly Szczerbiak (I spelled it right on the first try!). We saw Wally’s World up close and personal. He was mediocre. But somehow, a slow, deliberate player at both ends has locked up a more fluid athlete with superior foot speed. Maybe I need to change my thinking. Maybe the words I just used to describe Wally fit Allen as well. All I know is that even on an off-night for Wally, he still hit a big shot last night. Ray, on the other hand, had a typical postseason outing for himself - 9 points and a big doughnut hole on 3 attempts from 3-point land. Rich and compelling? I think not.

Doc is on record as saying he thinks the C’s can win without Ray. Against Atlanta? Sure. Versus LeBron and the Cavs? I’ll buy it. But in the Eastern Conference finals over Detroit? No way. That team is playing its best basketball at the right time. The Celts aren’t. All the blame doesn’t fall on Ray, but he’s got to shoulder the load, good guy or not.