Ray Allen Fires Back At Criticism, Congratulates Paul Pierce In Lengthy Instagram Post
A new Ray Allen Instagram post congratulated Paul Pierce for getting his number retired by the Boston Celtics last Sunday at TD Garden.
Paul Pierce hugs Ray Allen in the final moments of the Boston Celtics’ win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2008 NBA Finals. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)Ray Allen has clearly heard the rampant criticism leveled against him since the end of his Celtics tenure. So he decided to do his best to fight back - and make good with Paul Pierce - in a new message on Tuesday night.
The former Celtic and ex-teammate of Pierce shared a new Instagram post to congratulate the 2008 NBA Finals MVP for his number retirement ceremony that took place at TD Garden on Sunday night. Allen took the time to remind fans that he was a big part of the Celtics' NBA Championship team in 2008, the only C's team to win it all in the past 32 seasons.
Allen also finally shot back at the critics who have "smeared" him over the years for, among other things, his decision to leave the Celtics to join LeBron James and the rival Miami Heat in 2012. Additionally, the public image of Allen with his ex-Celtics teammates would suggest that their relationship isn't a warm one.
And he didn't help his own cause when he posted a photo of himself golfing with George Lopez on Sunday, during the Celtics' game against the Cavs on Pierce's big day. But he denied that any such venom exists between himself and Pierce or the Celtics organization.
Ray Allen's Instagram Post: Full Text
What we did in 2008 was special! Not only by Boston standards but by professional sports standards. The truth is, without any one of us on that team we would’ve never been able to do the unthinkable. Going from last place in one year to winning a championship is unfathomable. But, we did it!
WE did it- Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, Glen Davis, Eddie House, Kendrick Perkins, Scott Pollard, James Posey, Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt, Brian Scalabrine, Doc, Danny, everyone at the Celtics Organization, our wives, children, families, the Fans in The City of Boston and yes, me.
Over the last few years I have been berated, lambasted and had my name smeared. You may not want to hear this, but I will always be a Celtic. (Fact). I will always cherish the bonds that I shared with all of my teammates and the people in the city of Boston. (Truth). We all gave everything we had. We all won and we all raised the 2008 NBA Championship banner together. (Ubuntu) Paul Pierce is the first guy that welcomed Kevin and me with open arms into his atmosphere from day one and we never looked back.
Paul and I have spoken about our time together as teammates- going to battle night after night knowing we could count on one another and we have also talked about my decision to leave during free agency- a choice I made for my family. Despite what you may have heard or read or what is rumored- there is nothing but love. Paul and I are more interested in building bridges than putting up walls.
To Paul, number 34, Congratulations on having your number raised up to the rafters. I salute you for your commitment to the city of Boston and to us the 2008 NBA Champions #thetruth
It's not likely that this post will end the criticism that Allen has faced over the years. Nothing can ever undo his controversial choice to take less money to spurn the Celtics in favor of LeBron. But that apparently won't stop him from trying.
