While former Boston Celtic guard Tony Allen might not have been a key part of the rotation during his tenure in Boston, he also wasn’t exactly a scrub.
His defense even then an important tool in the Celtics’ overall toolkit, he carved out a role for himself among some of the biggest names in the sport.
And when that brotherhood of ‘Ubuntu’ — a Bantu term that means “I am because you are” that became the calling card of the Banner 17 Celtics — fell apart with the departure of shooting guard Ray Allen to the Miami Heat in free agency, it caused a rift that even now has not fully healed.
Allen’s position outside the “Big Three” gave him the perspective to see things from the UConn product’s point of view as well as the rest of the team, which he shared in a recent interview with ex-Celtic Cedric Maxwell that touched on this sad mark on Celtics history.
“What I can say is you dealing with two big personalities [In Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett], man, and Ray Allen,” offered the Grindfather.
“He might not be that loud and obnoxious type, all over the place [who] demands that intensity. Ray is just that the alpha male in a more quieter way, you get what I’m saying?”
Allen was always a leader-by-example, even in his days at the University of Connecticut. And even when his leadership flexed on the court, it was somehow still reserved — an icy counter to the fiery KG and flamboyant Pierce.
“He demands respect. I’m saying so it’s just two types [that] clash,” continued Allen, “but when I was around, I thought those guys specifically took holding each other accountable and having a level of respect for each other to an all time high.”
It’s no secret these strong personalities clashed, even to the point of fighting. But they always managed to refocus in their shared goal of winning and putting the team first — until, of course, that ended.
'Right in Harrington's face!'; recalling Paul Pierce's iconic shot https://t.co/UfsCVKlWoI via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 27, 2020
“And I don’t know what happened,” continued Allen, referring to the slow decline egged on by injury and the hurt feelings brought into place with the former Husky finding his role reduced and his contract dangled in trade talks.
“I don’t know what happened but for Ray Allen to just be alone and leave, y’all heard the rumors … for me to on the outside looking in,” he added. “I just feel like Ray probably felt disrespected in some type of way.”
“We used to throw this word around — Ubuntu — in his situation, he probably didn’t feel that Ubuntu part, you get what I’m saying? He didn’t probably feel that a little; he probably felt something different, and when situations go like that. I just believe every man is entitled to whatever you want to do.”
“I understand both sides,” finished Allen. “Some guys felt he should have hollered at them before he left, but we all know how tricky this business is.”
Paul Pierce talks on Celtics' 24-point deficit in Game 4 of '08 Finals https://t.co/HBk1txx2HJ via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 26, 2020
While Pierce has mended fences with his former teammate, Garnett has yet to allow that water to pass underneath his particular bridge.
With his impending induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and jersey retirement looming, we may be seeing the last, best chance for this rift to be healed.
And while many fans would like this last wart on an otherwise glorious era of Celtics history put to bed, only Garnett can make that decision.
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