Gino's Jungle

Dear Ray,

First of all, a sincere thank you ... for being the consummate gentleman of professional sports, for being the definition of Celtic Pride, and for all you did in bringing us Banner 17 and re-injecting the Boston Celtics back into being a true perennial playoff team again. It's been a long time since 1986 and the last era of excellence, and we needed this renaissance badly. 

There are many reasons to consider change for a professional athlete like yourself, not the least of which is the well-being of your family and your future considerations. We as fans understand that, and no matter what you end up doing, we will always hold you in the highest regard, because you are not only an incredibly talented athlete, but a human being of unusual character and integrity. 

There have been very few players to come through the ranks of the Celtic Green in the last twenty-years-or-so, who have embodied the class and selflessness that you have ... both in your game and in your personal life. My only regret in your being a Celtic, is that Red didn't get to see this team and the 2008 Championship, and didn't get to witness first-hand, your fulfillment of what Celtic Pride is all about, and the excellence of your game and persona.

Needless to say we want you to remain a Celtic. Yes, you can obviously make more money elsewhere, and there are warmer (outdoor) climates elsewhere in this country, and possibly more attractive offers. But you will never find a fan-base that can love and appreciate you more, or a team that is as steeped in tradition and pride, or team-mates that are as willing to sacrifice everything for the ultimate goal, or a coach that is not only a great coach, but a man with the unequalled ability to walk that fine-line between friend and mentor. 

New England is a place where people are exceptionally passionate about their views and preferences, and that is no more evident than it is with our sports teams. When we decide to except someone into our midst, we do so completely and without ambiguity. Our teams are almost a part of our family, and so are the players on those teams. But you have reached further into our hearts than even that, and we are very, very partial when it comes to you and our desire for you to remain a Celtic. 

I truly believe that Paul's decision to take less money in order to remain a Celtic and keep the core of this team together, is an unusual thing in today's professional sports arena, and is something that should be rewarded in the long-run, and emulated by others in similar situations. I also believe that you are a man of similar character, and that you will know in your heart that there's still something to be said for team loyalty and Ubuntu, and that you belong here ... with the people that truly love you and appreciate the sacrifice, and where the prospect of winning another championship will be the sweetest. 

Only you can make the decisions about what is best for your future and the well-being of your family, but if there is any question in your mind about what is best for the Celtics or it's fans or the people of New England, please know in your heart that you will find no greater fans, no greater love, no greater appreciation, no greater team, no greater coach, and no greater tradition, than you have right now, right here. All those things are a just question mark if you should choose to go elsewhere, but here, it's gold in your hand. 

Whatever happens, we will always love you for what you helped bring back to us, and what you've done for the Celtic community, but we pray that you'll decide to remain where your heart is, and where the gold in your hand will out-weigh the question marks of prospective changes. You are a Celtic through-and-through, and we are your family. Change can be an exciting thing, but no matter what else we find in life, there is NO place like home. 

Please stay at home ... please remain a Celtic.

 

With all of the excitement surrounding the Boston Celtics right now there is only one thing that really bothers me. It is something I have seen a lot of during the past three years, but something I have seen none of in the past three games. If you haven't figured it out yet it is Ray Allen's 0-16 performance from behind the arc in the past three games.

Yes, you read that correctly. Ray Allen did not hit ONE three point shot in Boston during the NBA Finals. After coming up with a NBA Finals record breaking performance in Game 2 Ray Allen has not been able to put the ball through the hoop from beyond the three point line.

To my surprise the Celtics have still been able to come through in two out of three of those games. Going into both Games 4 and 5 I figured Ray Allen would have to step it up for the C's to come out on top. In both games he failed to have big games offensively; however, the task of guarding arguably the best player in the world may be a valid excuse.

Now that there are no remaining games at the Garden you have to date back to Game 6 against the Orlando Magic to find Ray Allen's last three of the season at the TD Garden. With free agency coming up for Ray this summer, although I hope it isn't, it could be Ray's last three at the TD Garden as a Boston Celtics. For now let's just hope we can see another three from Ray this season as a Celtics. Then we will worry about whether or not it would be his last as a Boston Celtic.

Classic reaction to being absolutely ON FIRE

After a 27 minute, 3 for 8, 5 foul, 12 point disappointment in Game 1, Ray Allen was 100% determined to write a different script for Game 2. Jesus Shuttlesworth didn't simply go stupid, he went into a coma. His body was in this world, but his abilities were something you fall asleep at night and dream about.

Ray made 1 three, and I thought, "Okay good. Ray is on". Then he made the 2nd and that is typical after he makes the first shot. He kept going by making the third, and fourth, and fifth. At that point I sat back speechless. After a while it just becomes normal. You stop and stare at the television drooling wondering just how many he can hit in a row (well I drooled)..

His run stopped at 7 in a row before he had one go halfway down just to bounce out. Ray Allen finished the game 8-11 from deep. 8 three-pointers in a Finals game broke the previous record of 7 held by Kenny Smith and Scottie Pippen. He also broke the record of 6 threes in the first half held by Michael Jordon by hitting 7.

I won't drag on. If you were a witness to what Ray did in Game 2 of the NBA Finals then you were privileged to watch greatness at its best. AND.......

This is why Ray Allen was not traded, and why the Boston Celtics will resign Ray at the end of the year!

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

 

Earlier this year on a nationally televised game ESPN played a short segment on Ray Allen. I remembered the segment quite clearly but had not seen it again since that night. Well today I was on a Ray Allen YouTube marathon and came across the segment "Ray Allen Revealed" once again. Because this video gave me a little bit of the "chills" I thought it would be cool to share it with all of you.

My favorite part of the video has to be when he says, "At home I bring people to their feet, on the road I bring people to their knees". Does last year's playoff game against Chicago bring up any memories? How about the dagger three's on the road against Charlotte and Toronto in 2008? Ahhhhh... Danny, please bring back Ray next year!

 

Earlier this year following Kevin Garnett's return from his first injury stint I wrote a piece detailing how much of an effect that Garnett had on the crowd at the TD Garden. Right from the start his head bashing routine gets the crowd pumped up and ready to go. When he wasn't there it just didn't seem right. I don't know about you, but to me it just didn't feel like I was even in the same building.

Although Garnett still has a huge impact on getting the crowd fired up, the one guy who did a great job at keeping the crowd in the game during the series against the Heat was Ray Allen. In game two and game five combined Ray went 11-15 from behind the arc. Similar to KG's pre-game routine, when Ray Allen is hitting three's the atmosphere at the Garden is wild.

I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about. When Ray Allen is on fire, every time he goes to put up a shot you just want to stand up during his release because you know it's going in and you know you're going to have a reason to celebrate. With 11 made three pointers in the first round series you can bet your last dollar that on every single one of those the Garden crowd in its entirety rose to their feet and waved their rally towels.

As the Celtics move closer to their second round matchup with the Lebron's the Celtics are going to need every single one of those three's both at home and on the road. If Ray can keep it up and do what he did in the first round there is no doubt in my mind that he should, and will, return to Boston.

 So what if he missed a few free throws in game four, when it comes down to it there are very few players in the league that can bring to the table what Ray Allen does come playoff time. Here's to watching Ray Allen hit three after three after three while Lebron sits on the bench crying over his elbow "injury".

In Jesus Shuttlesworth we trust!

Ray Allen had a very tough game. First he got slammed in the nose… Then as if that weren’t bad enough his nose started to bleed so he had to shove two plugs up each nostril. Then he got taken out of the game and had to run to the locker room to get it fixed. Finally he came back out and eventually took his plugs out. After all that was over his rhythm had been completely shattered.

He wasn’t making his open shots, but honestly, who gives a crap. Since the trading deadline more times than not Ray has cashed in a great performance just one game after a poor showing. If there is one single guy on this team that I am not worried about it is Ray Allen. Of the Big 3, if anyone can turn it on right now it is him. He may be banged up a little, but it is nothing like what Pierce, and especially KG are feeling.

Looking at Rays game 1 is what makes me confident going into Game 2. He will not have another off night, and he will be forced to be more of a scorer to make up for the loss of The Big Ticket. All he has to do is get into a groove. It is clearly more difficult while guarding Dwyane Wade at the same time. This is why I would be looking for some small lineups where Ray may have to play big.

One way or another, when Ray starts hitting big 3 after big 3, Doc isn’t going to be able to take him out. Doc is going to have to find a way to work around it. Why? Because that’s just the way I see it happening (good reason – I know). I am visioning Ray setting up for a three, then watching it slice through the net and……. RAY ALLEN FOR THREEEEE.. Oh yeah…

Photo via Yahoo Sports/Getty Images

*This is just for fun, and if it sounds a bit "old-fashioned", it's because I tried my best to stay as close to the original format and style as possible. (It's a parody of Ernest Thayer's classic poem "Casey At The Bat", published originally in the San Francisco Examiner on June 3, 1888). I hope I did it at least a little justice, and more importantly, I hope you enjoy.*  

                    RAY-RAY AT THE STRIPE  

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Boston five that day:

The score stood 80 - 80 with one minute left to play.

And then when KG missed a dunk and Perkins did the same,

A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game. 

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair, the rest ...

Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;

They thought: If only Allen could but overcome the hype -

We'd put up even money, now, with Ray-Ray at the stripe. 

But Perkins got a whistle, and so did Rondo, too,

And the former launched a couple bricks, the latter missed his, too;

So upon that stricken multitude grew melancholy ripe,

For there seemed but little chance of Ray-Ray's getting to the stripe. 

But Pierce let fly an outlet pass, to the wonderment of all,

And the hero nick-named "Jesus" was the one who caught the ball;

And when the "D", back on their heels, had heard the whistle blow,

They knew that Ray had drawn a foul with no time left to go.

Then from 18 thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;

It rumbled through the Garden, it rang the North Church bell;

It knocked upon the Brighton doors, and recoiled in Brookline,

For Allen - mighty "Ray-Ray"- was advancing to the line. 

There was ease in Allen's manner as he stepped into his place;

There was pride in Sugar Ray's bearing, and a smile on his face.

And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly waved his hand,

No stranger in the crowd could doubt, 'twas 'Shuttlesworth' in command. 

Nearly forty thousand eyes transfixed as he dried his palms of sweat;

Eighteen thousand tongues applauded, soon the foe would pay their debt.

And while the head official wiped the ball upon his hip,

Defiance gleamed in Ray-Ray's eye, a sneer curled Ray-Ray's lip. 

And now the micro-composite sphere came hurtling through the air,

Ray Allen stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.

Close by the still defenders the ball unheeded sped -

"Let's get this done," said 'Jesus' ... "Just shoot," the referee said.

From the bleachers, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore.

"Don't rush him, Ref - be quiet!" shouted someone in the stands;

And they might have started throwing things, had Ray not raised his hands. 

With a smile of Christian charity Ray Allen's visage shone;

He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;

When silence fell he squared the line, and when his feet were set,

He shot it - rim and backboard - but it never touched the net. 

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;

But one scornful look from Allen, and the audience was awed.

They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,

And they knew that Ray would never let his free-throw miss again. 

The sneer now gone from Ray-Ray's lip, his teeth are clenched and sore;

He pounds with such cruel violence, the orange ball upon the floor.

And now Ray holds the basketball so lightly - like it's hot -

And now all hopes are soaring through the air with Ray's next shot.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere songs still rhyme;

But there is no joy in Boston ... this one's going to overtime.

                                         - Bahku

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the year of 2010!!! After a pro-longed absence from the site during the holidays we are back. With the introduction of a New Year we are determined to help Gino's Jungle grow. It has become very hard maintaining two websites AND a podcast over the past month. I am hoping that we can bring in the New Year by returning to a time where we delivered you news on daily basis.

The one problem with this is that we are currently lacking writers to deliver news to the website. With Travis and I lead blogging at Hardwood Houdini now we only have time for one or two articles a week on Gino's Jungle. This is where you can help us.

Gino's Jungle is still hunting for new writers to join the staff. Multiple opportunites exist for those who are interested. If you have a lot of time and want to be lead-blogger for the site, that opportunity is available. If you do not want a lot of responsibilites and can only contribute one or two articles a week, that is also available. If you would enjoy doing a daily links type of thing, that is availabe for BOTH of our sites. Any little thing will help us to continue growing the site.

Travis and I will help all our writers get their material out there. Whether you are an aspiring writer, or just plan to do this as a hobby, we will make sure people are reading what you write. We have multiple ways and connections to get your material onto some premiere sports websites.

If you are interested in writing for Gino's Jungle please contact us at ginosjungle@gmail.com. If you have Twitter send us a tweet @GinosJungle. Any little thing will help us out and will be much appreciated. I want to take a moment to thank our current writers Graham Brunell and Matt Rury for all they have done to keep new material on the site. A new year is going to bring bigger and better things to the Jungle, we hope that you will become part of it.