Heat's Allen talks split with Celtics

Before the Miami Heat were stunned by the Boston Celtics last evening, Heat G Ray Allen again spoke about leaving the Celtics for the Heat and what caused the momentum to move in that direction.

“For them to be so upset with me is disappointing because of how everything happened,” said Allen. “That banner in 2008 is still going to be there, and we’re still going to be tied to it......Doc talked to me like I was still on his team,” said Allen. “I got heavily criticized by each one of them (Garnett, Pierce) the minute I left. They were upset. But the writing was on the wall for us. (Celtics management) was saying hey, we’re moving in a different direction, and each one of us had to make that choice. Where can we go to be successful and continue to play good basketball.”

“Look, I have a feeling they were in the same predicament I was in this summer,” he said. “Even with Doc (Rivers), he had to make a decision that was best for himself. I was in the same situation. I’m happy they were put into the same situation as I was. Anytime you get traded there’s no telling where you could end up. They’re in a situation now where they can contend. Kevin had to make that decision, and that was the predicament I was in.....It’s what we deal with in sports.....Guys get traded, injuries happen. Teams try to bridge the gap from one generation of players to the next. Players have a very short-lived career. We came, had a great five years and the team decided to move on.”