Ray Allen: The Boston Celtics' Quiet Storm for the 2010-11 NBA Season
The Boston Celtics guard had a slow start to the season, then trade rumors looming over his head until the deadline hit in February. In fact, it was not until the end of February that Allen started to pick up his game and shoot lights-out like all NBA fans are used to seeing from him.
Allen played well in the playoffs, averaging 16.1 points per game. Despite the few bad games toward the end of the Celtics' title challenge, Allen played pretty well in the playoffs.
But over this offseason, there has been doubt over Allen’s abilities on the court. People have just counted him out because of a few bad games, but, come this season, Allen will prove everyone’s speculation about his game wrong.
Over the summer Allen had a choice to make—whether he was going the leave the Celtics and go to a different team or stay with the Celtics for a few more years and give the NBA title another shot. It's clear he made the right choice to come back to the Celtics, and he is looking to have a bigger impact than he did last season.
One thing that is always good about Allen is his preparedness going into the season. He always seems to find motivation to keep his game at the level it needs to be. This year will be no different, as his motivation is to prove wrong all of the doubters about his game and his team.
With the new additions for the Celtics over the summer, it's a sure bet that Allen and the Celtics aren't scared at all to take on the already crowned “champions”—the Miami Heat.
With the season right around the corner, the first test for Allen and the Celtics is actually the first game of the regular season, against the Miami Heat.
The Heat will probably take the same approach as the Lakers did in placing a shooting guard, in this case Dwyane Wade, on Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, leaving a mismatch for anyone who is guarding Allen. This time around, Allen will make sure whoever is guarding him pays the price.
Ray Allen has been forgotten about and doubted entirely too much, and it seems like he is only recognized on the court when he makes defenders pay with his movement and deadly jump shot.
His quiet demeanor also allows him to fly under the radar as the storm approaches...and when it does, other teams better be prepared with a solution to stop him.
