Post by KruPaxson on Jun 7, 2007 9:39:41 GMT -5
It was 1998 when a young Ray Allen was a promising young star in BBS. Ray Allen was being nicknamed Jesus as he was looked at as being a savior for the young franchise. Allen often struggled in Memphis as he wasn't quite ready to handle being the #1 scoring option without a great supporting cast. Michael Olowokandi was supposed to be the next Shaq but as we all know that was never the case. Allen soon grew tired of the incumbent coaching of D2A and lack of desire to win in the front office and demnaded a trade. Allen soon got his wishes granted as he landed himself in what seemed to be a great position swapping places with Grant Hill in Detroit.
Allen would be paired up with All-League talent in Sam Cassell, a young Chauncey Billups, and Shaq and some would think he couldn't have been happier. At first Allen was very excited for the opportunity to play along side of these guys but never really seemed comfortable. Aaron Reilly was very demanding of Allen on defense and you could see that wearing at Allen offensively and even defensively. Allen was traded the following season to the LA Clippers where he helped deliver them a second straight championship. Allen still felt he had more to offer a team and wasn't exactly seeing eye to eye with coach Galo and a number of things.
Another season another team as Galo finally grew tired of Allen's antics and shipped him off to A-T-L. Coach Bender was very excited to get Allen and thought he could really utilize him to his full potential. "Coach Bender was just a little different from everyone else and I just felt so comfortable on the court, I really loved it in Atlanta and I'm sad I ever left." expressed Allen. Allen would enjoy his most success on the Hawks as he enjoyed his two most efficient shooting seasons as well as career high in average for points per game(28ppg). Coach Bender saw Allen as more than just an outside shooter and pressed for Allen to take defenders off the dribble and take it to the hole much like Steve Francis. Allen would see career highs in FT attempts as well. By taking it more inside this would free up his outside game even more as he had a career high in 3pt makes as well in ATL.
Financially the Hawks were in trouble and were forced to deal off Ray Allen over Steve "Franchise". A move Bender regrets making as he dealt Allen to the NY Knicks. Again Allen would go to a franchise where he was looked at as "Jesus" and was going to put them over the edge. In ATL Allen never felt pressure as Bender's laize faire approach was perfect for Allen.
After a mediocre season in NY, coach Outlawz sent Allen packing to the Kings and the Kings sent Allen back to Memphis as things came full circle. "It's a business, I know but it's still a game I love to play but not in Memphis" Allen told reporters. Allen would ideally love to get back to Atlanta if somehow at all possible. ATL can offer Memphis Shawn Bradley who would match Memphis' needs for a big man while also offering them a large expiring to either resign or let walk at the season's end in their rebuilding effort. ATL also has young guard Deshawn Stephenson who would look great next to Tony Parker in an uptempo offense. Rumor has it that these two front offices are going to try and work something out but one thing is for sure is that Allen wants to find a place where he can play for a while and not just be a one season rent a player. Will Memphis try and let Allen soar with the Hawks or will he keep singing the blues in Memphis?
Allen would be paired up with All-League talent in Sam Cassell, a young Chauncey Billups, and Shaq and some would think he couldn't have been happier. At first Allen was very excited for the opportunity to play along side of these guys but never really seemed comfortable. Aaron Reilly was very demanding of Allen on defense and you could see that wearing at Allen offensively and even defensively. Allen was traded the following season to the LA Clippers where he helped deliver them a second straight championship. Allen still felt he had more to offer a team and wasn't exactly seeing eye to eye with coach Galo and a number of things.
Another season another team as Galo finally grew tired of Allen's antics and shipped him off to A-T-L. Coach Bender was very excited to get Allen and thought he could really utilize him to his full potential. "Coach Bender was just a little different from everyone else and I just felt so comfortable on the court, I really loved it in Atlanta and I'm sad I ever left." expressed Allen. Allen would enjoy his most success on the Hawks as he enjoyed his two most efficient shooting seasons as well as career high in average for points per game(28ppg). Coach Bender saw Allen as more than just an outside shooter and pressed for Allen to take defenders off the dribble and take it to the hole much like Steve Francis. Allen would see career highs in FT attempts as well. By taking it more inside this would free up his outside game even more as he had a career high in 3pt makes as well in ATL.
Financially the Hawks were in trouble and were forced to deal off Ray Allen over Steve "Franchise". A move Bender regrets making as he dealt Allen to the NY Knicks. Again Allen would go to a franchise where he was looked at as "Jesus" and was going to put them over the edge. In ATL Allen never felt pressure as Bender's laize faire approach was perfect for Allen.
After a mediocre season in NY, coach Outlawz sent Allen packing to the Kings and the Kings sent Allen back to Memphis as things came full circle. "It's a business, I know but it's still a game I love to play but not in Memphis" Allen told reporters. Allen would ideally love to get back to Atlanta if somehow at all possible. ATL can offer Memphis Shawn Bradley who would match Memphis' needs for a big man while also offering them a large expiring to either resign or let walk at the season's end in their rebuilding effort. ATL also has young guard Deshawn Stephenson who would look great next to Tony Parker in an uptempo offense. Rumor has it that these two front offices are going to try and work something out but one thing is for sure is that Allen wants to find a place where he can play for a while and not just be a one season rent a player. Will Memphis try and let Allen soar with the Hawks or will he keep singing the blues in Memphis?