Ray Allen to the HEAT

[Phishfan]

I'd say there are several reasons (even without mentioning The decision). LeBron grew up in the Cleveland area and he was one of their own. Ray Allen does not have this connection to Boston. Another reason may be the team situations. Celtics fans have been hearing about the breakup of their big three for some time. I think they expected it to happen, but just were not sure how. Some people in Cleveland probably never imagined James leaving. I'd say another is their skill level. While Allen is a fine shooter, he really is not considered by anyone (at least anyone I would call credible) to be the best player in the league. That hurts when you have that guy and he walks away from you.

Boston fans are not happy with the decision I am sure, but I don't think they are comparable situations at all.

[Spider-Dan]

Point is, Cleveland was SO mad at LeBron, and most of them still are.  Complete with the mayor holding a ceremony to remove the LeBron poster off the side of some building.  Why aren't Boston fans equally mad at Ray Allen?

1) Ray Allen is probably the third most significant member of Boston's Big Three; LeBron was the most significant player in the history of the Cavaliers (and arguably Cleveland as a whole)

2) Boston signed Ray Allen's replacement (and by that, I mean the player who Allen would be riding the bench to make minutes for) right before Allen left

[masterfins]

As a Celtics fan I'm not that upset by Allen leaving, although I liked him as a player.  Boston has an aging team so they do need to get younger.  I don't like Allen going to the Heat though, I think he can be a big help to them off the bench.  The annoying thing is that I've recently been reading that one of the main reasons he left was because the Celts priority was re-signing Garnett first.

[JVides]

All I know is the scariest thing in the NBA right now is Ray Allen open for a 3 pointer.  Seriously, nothing made my blood run cold more than that sight.

I'm glad that now, every time Ray Ray is open, I'll be screaming for him to get the ball, not yelling at his man to get back on him.  Yay.

Aside:  Maine, if I were a teacher, I'd start every class with an exercise that forced the students to make a sentence using the following words:

To, too, two
Their, they're, there
Where, were, wear, we're
Lose, loose

I'm sure I am forgetting others...

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

You're suspicions are accurate.  Ray Allen was not a big name free agent, was not a two time MVP award winner, and did not announce his decision on ESPN.

Your a college professor, ain't ewe? 

[Landshark]

Your a college professor, ain't ewe? 

And you're a high skool teacher, korekt? 

[MaineDolFan]

Grammar nazi . I agree this is nowhere near the scale of craziness of Lebron. Howard though is trying to get there.

LOL, not really.  I butcher grammar on a regular basis, this is more along the lines of spelling.

[MaineDolFan]

No, I know why it didn't get as much press.  But I also know everyone keeps pointing out that LeBron held an ESPN special to announce his decision.  However, did you see how many people were sticking microphones in his face?  And he reportedly donated the proceeds from the special to charity. 

Point is, Cleveland was SO mad at LeBron, and most of them still are.  Complete with the mayor holding a ceremony to remove the LeBron poster off the side of some building.  Why aren't Boston fans equally mad at Ray Allen?

Hop on Twitter and check out the tweets.  Boston fans are furious with him...which doesn't make any sense to me at all!

[Dave Gray]

I can see why Boston fans are upset, based just on emotion and the fact that they were willing to pay to keep him.

But, I also understand Ray's position.  For him, it sounds like the decision came down to his role -- it will be a more integral part of the HEAT, with a chance to get another ring.  It wasn't for money.  I would also have understood if he stayed for money or city loyalty.

[JVides]

I just think Ray didn't appreciate being dangled in trade talks for two straight years and got out of dodge while he could be in charge of his destination.  Boston is this close to going on a major rebuilding project centered around Rondo and tons of young players, and trading Allen in the second year of his contract would be a way of attracting trade pieces (from teams needing to shed salary). 

There was nothing stopping Boston from flipping him for a younger piece in six months, whereas Miami is pretty much locked in to having older, cheaper veterans supporting the big 3 while the big 3 are in their primes (which should be for at LEAST the next three years).