After taking a few days to consider his options, Ray Allen decided to join the Miami Heat.
Allen spent the past five seasons in Boston and helped the Celtics reach two NBA Finals and win one championship. Although he was a free agent, many NBA observers — and Celtics fans in particular — feel that Allen betrayed Boston by signing with the team that beat them in the playoffs the past two seasons. Even Hornets guard Jarrett Jack chimed in with his opinion:
Am I wrong for thinking ray allen is a traitor for signing with his rival team the heat? Tell me what u think!!!!!!
— JARRETT JACK (@Jarrettjack03) July 7, 2012
There is little doubt that the fan jersey burning will soon commence in Boston and that fans are hurt that Allen chose to sign with the Celtics’ biggest conference rival. But what did they expect?
We passed along a report in April that said Allen felt slighted by the Celtics and unsure if he wanted to return after the season. He was nearly traded to the Grizzlies, and he was benched in favor of Avery Bradley. On top of that, his relationship with Rajon Rondo was reportedly strained. All signs have been pointing toward Allen signing with the Heat, and it probably became even more enticing for him once LeBron James and the Heat started recruiting him as hard as they did.
Yet, despite all that, Allen was said to be “torn” between signing with the Heat and returning to Boston.
It’s easy for Jack to label Allen a “traitor” as an outsider, but he might feel differently had he been in Allen’s shoes this whole time.
H/T CJ Fogler
Photo credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE
