Tag: Ray Allen

How the Boston Celtics built the new Big Three and changed the NBA for years to come

Drawing on his time playing with Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, GM Danny Ainge brought together Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

At the start of summer in 2007, the Boston Celtics were a fun team that in no way reflected the greatness of the franchise’s storied past. But by the start of the 2007-08 NBA season, President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge had transformed the team into the juggernaut that would win the 2008 NBA championship.

Ainge had been a part of the team helmed by the last so-called big three in Celtics history, playing alongside Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. By adding future Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to a third, Paul Pierce, Boston was back in business, and three-star super teams were back on the scene.

To tell you the tale of how it happened, the folks over at The Score put together this short documentary embedded below.

Follow us on Facebook and check out the Celtics Lab podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Celtics alumnus Eddie House tells his experience of the start and end of the infamous Banner 17 crew feud

The famed Boston sharpshooter had a unique perspective of how the KG-Ray Allen-Paul Pierce feud was born and died.

Former Boston Celtics microwave scorer Eddie House had a front-row seat to the birth and death of the feud between fellow champion Celtics alumni Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. He was present for the initial cracks in the foundation laid by the Banner 17 crew in 2008.

So the current NBC Sports analyst knows as much as anyone about that trio of Boston greats. Especially the details behind their longtime rancor and final resolution ahead of KG’s jersey retirement ceremony this past spring when all three were together again at TD Garden.

Speaking with Bally Sports’ Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, House told the tale from his perspective of the origin and end to one of the most infamous feuds in Celtics history.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear it for yourself.

Check out the Celtics Lab podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Boston Celtics HoFer Ray Allen talks about his role in the rise of the 3-point shot in today’s NBA

The Celtics champ recently spoke on his role in raising the 3 to the league’s premier offensive weapon.

It seems like just yesterday Boston Celtics Hall of Fame shooting guard Ray Allen was getting kudos from the then-shooting G.O.A.T. Reggie Miller as he passed the Indiana Pacers legend for the most 3s in a career.

Now, the tables have turned on the former UConn star, with Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry trying on the crown. But with the way 3-pointers are launched these days, even his reign in that role will likely not last long. The shot popularized by Allen and Curry has become a high-volume staple of the modern NBA.

Allen recently joined the NBC Peacock show “Brother From Another” to talk his role in the rise of the shot, his thoughts on Curry’s current rise to 3-point dominance, and a number of other issues in today’s game and his personal life.

Watch the clip embedded above to hear what the Celtics champion has to say about the shot he helped pioneer and more.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ray Allen on how bad the backlash was when he left Boston for the Miami Heat

“There was a lot of hate over it,” Allen explained,

Time heals all wounds, and enough has passed from the departure of champion Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen for fans of the team to have forgiven how things went at the time.

But the response from some fans was very far beyond what should be acceptable behavior under the guise of fandom, something that the UConn alum recently spoke about in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso. “People get upset when you leave, I get it,” said Allen. “My family and me, we loved Boston. We hated to leave.”

“But when you’re telling me I’m not part of your future, I need to move on,” added the Celtics champ, alluding to his being demoted in the rotation and dangled in trades.

“There was a lot of hate over it,” Allen explained, “there were even death threats, and I think some people forgot the five years we had.”

“Those five years were full of greatness and excitement. I loved my time in Boston.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Once, Michael Jordan told Ray Allen why it is hard to repeat as champs; it still may be true

“It makes sense,” said Allen.

When it comes to the sport of basketball, there have been only a handful of players at any level able to shoot the rock on the same level as 2008 Boston Celtics champion shooting guard Ray Allen. But even he listens when His Airness offers counsel. And in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso, Allen recalled some sage words from Michael Jordan that might yet have currency with the Celtics of today.

“We’re out to eat, we’d just won (Banner 17), and we’re feeling pretty good,” said Allen. “MJ was there, and he said to us, ‘Y’all won one. Let’s see if you can win two. That’s when you’ve done something.'”

And why is it so hard to repeat, per Jordan? “Later in the night, MJ talked about how the hardest part of repeating is the role players no longer want to be role players,” said Allen. “It makes sense.”

“They’re spending all summer hearing how great they are, and then you come back wanting more minutes, more touches,” said the UConn great.

‘All of a sudden, you’re not doing the same things you did last year to get the team to this place. It’s why you see the destruction of teams after they win championships.”

Will it happen to these Celtics? Perhaps. But they are by and large all scholars of the game — and keep in touch with the elder statesmen of the league — so they may have the jump on such derailing bad habits.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ray Allen wants us to remember Danny Ainge’s hand in hanging Banner 18

“People need to give credit to Danny Ainge,” said Allen.

The Boston Celtics are your 2024 NBA Champions. But we should not forget that former Celtics (and current Utah Jazz) President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge had a major hand in assembling some of the key parts that made it possible, including hiring the CURRENT Boston team president, Brad Stevens.

And 2008 title team member Ray Allen wants to make sure we remember that. Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso in a recent interview, the UConn alum said “People need to give credit to Danny Ainge,” said Allen. “Brad Stevens did a great job, but it doesn’t happen without Danny sending (fellow 2008 titlists) Paul (Pierce) and Kevin (Garnett) to (the Brooklyn Nets in a trade).

“That secured the future for the Celtics. They’re going to carry this team for the next 10 years,” he added.

“I love Jrue Holiday,” Allen shared. “He’s a mature leader. I love Derrick White there, too. Picking up (Kristaps) Porzingis was huge. You can tell that’s a team that really likes playing together.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ray Allen on the Boston Celtics winning the 2024 NBA championship

As a core member of the Boston Celtics’ 2008 title team, Hall of Fame shooting guard Ray Allen knows what it takes to win a title in Boston.

As a core member of the Boston Celtics’ 2008 title team, Hall of Fame shooting guard Ray Allen knows what it takes to win a title with the most decorated ball club in league history. So when the man speaks on the Celtics of today and their run to win Banner 18 16 years to the day the University of Connecticut alum helped hang Banner 17, people listen.

And you should too, as Allen recently caught up with the folks who run the “Celtics All Access on CLNS” official YouTube channel, with “Garden Report” and “The Cedric Maxwell” podcasts cohost Josue Pavon catching up with the historic shooter in the bowels of TD Garden.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ray Allen discusses his time with the Boston Celtics

Ray Allen discussed his Boston Celtics tenure during a recent podcast interview with JJ Redick.

Ray Allen was part of the Boston Celtics 2008 championship-winning team. However, his tenure ended sourly, as he left to join the LeBron James-led Miami Heat in 2012. Nevertheless, Allen enjoyed a strong five-year run with the Celtics, averaging 16.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 358 regular season games.

During a recent appearance on JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast, Allen discussed his tenure with the Celtics and his time with the Heat. He also touched on his championship runs and what he’s been doing during his retirement from the league.

Allen also discussed the sacrifices it takes to win a championship, especially when playing on a team that is stacked with talent. He was the third star next to Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce during the 2008 run, and then behind LeBron and Dwyane Wade with the Heat.

You can watch Allen’s full interview with Redick by clicking on the embedded link above.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

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Every Boston Celtics All-Star for each season the game was played

Every single Boston Celtics All-Star in franchise history.

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game is set to kick off in Indianapolis, Indiana. A pair of Boston Celtics will be part of the action for the third year in a row as Jayson Tatum plays as a starter and Jaylen Brown a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.

Tatum and Brown join a long list of Celtics stars who have participated in the event, now entering its 73rd year of existence, which actually got its start in the old Boston Garden. Initially created to improve the image of professional basketball after a point-shaving scandal in NCAA ball besmirched the sport in the eyes of the public, the event has taken on a life of its own as one of the league’s most anticipated events.

Let’s take a look at all the Celtics who have taken part.

On this day: Ray Allen breaks 3-point record; Walter A. Brown born

On this day in Celtics history, Ray Allen broke the all-time NBA record for made 3-pointers, and team founder Walter A. Brown was born.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, champion Celtic shooting guard Ray Allen broke Reggie Miller’s all-time made 3-point shot record in 2011.

It came in a 92-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, which took some of the shine off the event, but Miller — who held the previous record of 2,560 3-pointers made — was in the audience to congratulate Allen. Ray held the record (2,973 career made 3-pointers), and while several active players are above 2,000 career makes, it remains to be seen whether anyone will pass the current owner of the accomplishment in the short term, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry.

At present, he broke the record on Dec. 14, 2021, and holds the record as of this writing.