There isn't a single basketball writer I respect more than Jackie MacMullan. And today on WEEI she had an interesting take on Ray Allen and his quest for the 3-point title.
”It was just so funny to me how, as he was approaching the record, everyone was saying, ‘Oh, Ray Allen, a coach’s dream, the greatest veteran, what a model, an ambassador for the NBA.’ And I was thinking, ‘Whoa.’ I can remember a lot of coaches that really struggled with Ray, including the one here.
“And that doesn’t mean they don’t love him — and certainly Doc [Rivers] and Ray have found their way together — but that’s not who Ray is. Ray’s going to challenge you and Ray’s going to question you. Because he wants things to work within his own parameters. And to me, that was the most interesting part about this quest for the 3-point title, was he did it through multiple coaches, each of whom at one point or another I’m sure were saying, ‘This guy drives me nuts!’ ”
Ray is a total perfectionist. And total perfectionists who admittedly have OCD don't just accept things and say "oh, that's how it is? That's fine, I'll work with it." They ask "why" a lot. So I can totally see what Jackie is saying there. Guys like Ray want things their way… not to be difficult or because they feel entitled (like a certain someone in Miami)… but because they think their way is the best way. And it's going to take some convincing to show these types of personalities that there is a better way than theirs.
Credit Doc Rivers for taking a strong personality like Ray… and other strong personalities like Pierc, KG and Rondo… and meshing them to form a solid locker room. It's really amazing when you think about it.
Also follow that link for some other great opinions on yesterday's game and other current NBA events.
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