Top 10 reasons Ray Allen should sign with the Celtics over the Heat

Let me first say, from the reports I am hearing, its almost a done deal that Ray Allen will not sign here.  I personally don’t understand this as Ray has a great relationship with the Boston media, ownership and the fans.  But apparently multiple “insiders” are saying it is more likely for Ray to be elsewhere next season then to resign with the Celtics.  And the worst news so far has come from Brian Windhorst, who has inside information that there is mutual interest by both the Heat and Ray for him to join them next season.

I already hate the Heat a lot (especially after this season).  But now that I am hearing that they are potential suitors for Ray Allen, one of my favorite Celtics of the last 15 years, I have to say they are close to surpassing the Lakers, Yankees and Jets as the team I hate the most in sports.  I mean Ray Allen was the key to getting KG to agree to the trade that created the Big 3.  Without the Ray trade in 2007, KG wouldn’t have agreed to wear Celtic green, and there would have been no title in 2008.  Over the past 5 seasons I have been more impressed with Ray’s work ethic than his 3 point shot.  Before Ray became a Celtic I thought of him as a naturally skilled wing player.  But since he has worn Celtic green I have learned that everything he has earned has been because he works his tail off.

So I thought I would make a top 10 list of why he should stay here, mainly because I want to take my mind off the fact that the Heat could potentially steal a series from the Celtics, win the Championship and take Ray from us, all in one month.  So here is my list:

10:  His family situation is perfect in Boston.  His daughter gets the best medical care in the world in Boston, and his mom has become a fixture at Celtics home games.  He also loves Connecticut, which is right next door.

9:  The fact that he is a legend in New England. Being a star in UConn and now a beloved star for the Celtics, Ray Allen doesn’t have to ever worry about buying a meal in Boston for the rest of his life.  If he goes to the Heat he would at best get a standing ovation his first visit back to the Garden, and then a luke warm reception every time back (see Wade Boggs, Johnny Damon and Roger Clemens).  Why leave legend status in Boston for one or two seasons in Miami?

8:  He could become the de-facto mentor to Avery Bradley, a potential annual All-Star who only needs help on his offensive game, something that Ray is definitely able to provide.  This would give him a sort of lasting legacy, and would also prove a good bridge into a coaching career.

7:  D-Wade is an asshole.

6:  He will be replacing Mike Miller and Shane Battier.  And when you think of the skill and ability Ray has as a first ballot hall-of-famer, replacing Miller and Battier seems a little disrespectful.

5:  He will have to get used to playing for a new coach in Eric Spoelstra, who is already dealing with multiple ego’s and is generally considered a mediocre coach.  Doc on the other hand is Doc, arguably the best coach in the NBA.

4:  Ray is part of the Big 3, a group with a legacy that is looked at positively by NBA fans for their hard-work, unselfishness, and success after 5 seasons together.  If he goes to the Heat, he will diminish that legacy slightly by joining a team that has become the Celtics rivals.

3:  D-Wade is a douche-bag.

2:  The Heat will only be able to offer Ray $3 million, and probably would have him come off the bench.  The Celtics on the other hand would be able to offer Ray almost twice that, and would also be able to start him depending on how Doc’s final roster shapes up.

1:  The Celtics fans love Ray and this Celtics team, as can be seen by the last 4 minutes of Game 6 where they chanted “Let’s go Celtics” for 4 minutes in a blow out.  Lets see the Heat fans do that.