depressing news. A key player in Boston announced his retirement due to problems with his wife.
The Boston Celtics are the team with the most retired numbers—22—and will have 23 when they retire 15-time All-Star Kevin Garnett’s jersey during the 2020–21 campaign.
To put it briefly, they are a team that is renowned for honoring the players who contributed to their league-high 17 NBA titles. Two players who were essential to the Celtics’ last championship team will have their jerseys retired, but a third player might not get the same recognition.
The Boston Celtics’ choice to retire Ray Allen’s No. 20 jersey will be influenced by Allen’s choice to join the Miami Heat in 2012, according to Jenna Ciccotelli of Boston.com.
To be fair, given his part in the Celtics’ 2008 championship run, it makes perfect sense that Boston would be hesitant to retire Allen’s number.
Although Allen left the Boston Celtics four seasons after the team won the championship, his departure left a bitter taste in the mouths of many of his former teammates, most notably Garnett, as well as the fans. Ultimately, many viewed Allen’s departure from the team that defeated Boston in Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals as a sign of defection to the opposition.
Unfortunately for Allen, it seems that his leaving also irked at least one of the team’s key decision-makers.
Despite expressing gratitude for the Hall of Fame shooting guard’s time with the Celtics and maintaining a positive connection with him, team president and general manager Danny Ainge states that “these are not my decisions” when it comes to Allen possibly retiring his jersey.
“So I’ll offer my thoughts when it’s appropriate, if someone asks. However, since this is [Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck’s] team, he has the authority to make those choices.
Nevertheless, it seems that Grousbeck is among the organization’s most powerful members and at least one of those who opposes retiring Allen’s jersey.
The No. 20 jersey that Allen once wore is currently being worn by Celtics forward Gordon Hayward, so it’s possible that the franchise would prefer that the number stay active until another player gives them a reason to retire it.
Franchises frequently retire the jerseys of their most prominent players, even when the action may appear to constitute reprisal. To be honest, Allen doesn’t fit that description; he still hasn’t established a good rapport with players like Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo, and Garnett from the 2008 championship squad.
Although Allen and Paul Pierce—the final Celtics player to have his jersey retired in TD Garden—have put the past behind them, it is evident that others are not following suit.
Although many might disagree, there’s no rush to treat 10-time All-Star Allen with respect; after all, worse things could happen. Allen is officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. The jerseys of players like LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Udonis Haslem would have to be retired before the Heat retires his as a consolation prize for his efforts in leading the team to a title in 2013.
