Allen & Garnett after Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals |
Despite the trade rumors and talks of the three being "too old," they were able to pull together last season and were one win away from the NBA Finals. But after a controversial offseason that landed Allen with the rival Miami Heat, it seems Garnett is ready to turn the page and move forward.
Garnett, someone who has never been afraid of speaking his mind, made his feelings clear about Allen's departure to Miami. He's not talking to him.
"I don't have Ray's number anymore," Garnett said at Celtics' media day. "I'm not trying to communicate with him. I'm just being honest with everyone in here... It's just what it is."
Garnett communicated with Allen heavily during the summer in hopes of convincing him to resign with Boston. But when it was all said and done, Allen signed with Miami and broke up Boston's modern day version of The Big 3.
Garnett handled the inevitable question about Allen the way I thought he would. I knew Garnett wouldn't stoop low enough to actually insulting Allen, but I knew he wasn't going to give the old typical downplay response of: 'He made his decision, I have to respect it'. Nope, Garnett took Allen's decision personal.
Over the weekend, reporters told Allen of Garnett's comments. Allen had this to say:
"That's a shame. I'm a good person to talk on the phone... I've been in weird trade situations the last few years. You always felt like you had one foot in and one foot out, so I can't worry about it."
This is the first time Allen has given us a little bit of his reasoning behind leaving Boston. Allen's name did come up more than few times in trade rumors over the past few years. Maybe it did finally get to him. But isn't that why the Celtics offered the no-trade clause? Meaning Allen could only be dealt by Boston under his permission. An agreement that not even Paul Pierce has in his contract.
Celtics also offered Allen more money, making their offer clearly better than Miami's. But at least he gave us something.Well, sort of. A tiny bit of an explanation behind his decision.
The plot thickens.
Josue Pavon
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