Ray Allen Chooses The Miami Heat
BOSTON (CBS) - Ray Allen has made his own "decision," and it's not one Celtics fans will be too happy with.
The veteran guard has chosen to sign on with the Miami Heat, according to his agent, leaving the Celtics for... greener pastures?
Allen, who played the past five seasons with the Celtics, had visited with Heat officials Thursday, and ended up spending the night when his Friday meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers was canceled by the team.
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In joining the Heat, Allen took less money than he would have received from Boston. Miami had the mini mid-level exception to offer him, roughly $3 million annually, while the Celtics reportedly had a two-year, $12 million offer on the table.
Last season was a trying one for Allen in Boston, battling through numerous injuries and a near-trade at March's deadline. The 36-year-old was relegated to the bench with the emergence of Avery Bradley, but found himself back in the C's starting five when the second-year guard was sidelined with a shoulder injury. There are also rumors of a rift between Allen and point guard Rajon Rondo.
In 46 games for Boston last season, Allen averaged 14.2 points per game on 46-percent shooting from the field and a career-high 45-percent from three-point range. His numbers dipped in the playoffs, where he started 10 of the C's 18 contests, averaging just 10.7 points on 40-percent shooting. His percentage from long range also dropped down to just 30-percent.
The Heat are Allen's fourth team in his NBA career, having played for Milwaukee and Seattle before landing in Boston in the summer of 2007.
Allen, who attended school at UConn before being drafted fifth overall in 1996, has plenty of memories from his time in Boston. Back in 2008, along with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, he led the franchise to it's 17th NBA Title; the first of each of their careers. During the 2011 season, Allen became the NBA's all-time leading three-point shooter, passing Reggie Miller.
Now, he heads to Miami in hopes of getting another ring alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
