Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck was on WEEI this afternoon talking about Ray Allen’s defection to Miami:
“I was utterly surprised,” Grousbeck said. “I knew there was some emotion involved. I respect Ray and I always will. … He’s been a great Celtic and we’ll never forget that.
“I was surprised, I wasn’t utterly shocked. Let’s face it: He was not necessarily going to start. He was not necessarily — as Doc [Rivers] put it, he felt somehow that he was slighted possibly in the recruiting process this offseason. … If Doc’s report is correct, Ray felt like he was second fiddle to first Avery Bradley and then Kevin Garnett. And also he decided to go to our arch-rivals for less than half the money, so be it.”
Although the Celtics offered substantially more than the Heat, Grousbeck said Allen wanted more from Boston.
“There was a price tag put out there, it just wasn’t one we could get to,” he said.
Added Grousbeck: “We respect [Allen’s] decision. I think it’s fantastic, because it just riles me up that he went down to our arch-rivals for half-price — what’s that about? And I want to make it not an easier path to a ring. I want to make it a harder path to a ring, if I have anything to say about it.”
That ‘price tag’ Wyc mentions must be the absurd 3 year, $27 million contract Ray requested.
I love Wyc’s competitive nature, but his wife’s reaction to Ray’s desertion is priceless.
In other news, Marcus Camby has agreed to 3 year, $13.2 million deal with the Knicks and Danny Green will resign with San Antonio for 3 years, $12 million.
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