Ray Allen's Problem

Ray Allen’s been catching hell from the media as of late for his low field-goal percentage in these playoffs. So what’s up with Ray? How did a career 40% three-point shooter just all of a sudden start shooting 30% percent from that range? Well, I think it has to do with Ray becoming the third wheel, when he’s been a first option almost his entire career. 

The misconception about Ray is that he is just a spot up shooter. But anyone that has watched Ray throughout his career knows that Ray has played with the ball in his hands for much of his career. Many of his three point jump shots came off of pick and rolls or off of the dribble. He also was very adept at getting to the basket off the dribble. Lastly, he was used to putting up a lot more shots than he’s getting on the Celtics. On the Celtics, the Ray has been relegated to a spot up shooter, and is often catching the ball during desperation time, with little time left on the clock. As well, he’s not only getting poor shot opportunities, but also a lot less opportunities than he’s been used to throughout his career. The last time Ray was in the playoffs with the Sonics, he put up 215 shots in just 11 games, hitting on 47% of those shots (38% from three). In 18 games so far in this years playoffs (I’m writing this prior to game 5), Ray has only put up 211 shots. Basically, the guy has had to completely change his game on this team. 

Boston has to do a better job of getting him involved. They should run more pick and roll sets with Ray handling the ball. If they do this, they might get their wish of seeing him turn back into the Ray Allen we’re all used to seeing.

To NBA GMs: Take this as a lesson. You can’t just take a guy who has been a first option/All-Star type player his entire career and then expect him to fit in nicely as a third wheel. It just doesn’t work that way (See: Payton, Gary).