Hold on... you want to trade who? Ray Allen?

Watching the last few games the Celtics have played (or should I say dropped?), I'm starting to get the same feeling everyone else is. I know the question in my mind is the same that has spread like wild fire across Bean Town. I'm not asking IF we make a move or WHO we move. I'm wondering who we trade Ray Allen for.

Don't lie, you thought about it too. Probably not in those exact words, but the concept was the same.

It pains me to even think that thought. Ray Allen has been my basketball savior. Better than Jesus. Jesus' disciples followed him from city to city, just like I followed Ray from Seattle to Boston. But The original Jesus never had a jumper this wet. So why do I find myself hoping the Celtics make a move? Why do find myself edging closer to being Judas instead of Peter with every game I watch?

Before we go Roman and crucify anyone, lets take a step back. Last nights loss to the Lakers was a tiny sample size. Although Kobe hit a game winner in Allen's eye, Ray and the Celtics D kept him to 19 points on 8 of 20 shooting. Kobe's been struggling, but it takes an extraordinary effort to keep him under 45% shooting, under 20 points and ONLY 4 free throws. The 'four free throws' part is the big stand out to me. But we aren't here to discuss the Celtics defense, or even their offense. This is a discussion strictly related to Mr. Shuttlesworth.

Does Ray still have game?

If you are asking about last night, the answer is 'Not really'. If you asked me against the Magic, I would have said 'No'. But against the Hawks, he was brilliant. Against most of the league, he has been great. This is where most Boston fans want to halt me in my tracks, but it's true. Let's look at the facts:

A.) Ray is scoring 15.7 ppg on 45% shooting. 33.9% from three, 88.8% from the charity stripe. He has a eFG% of 51.6%.

B.) The Celtics play at a pace of 91.6, which ranks 22nd out of 30. (that is very slow). So his stats are a bit deflated compared to others.

C.) Between Pierce’s play, the emergence of Rondo, the trigger happy Wallace, and the nightly over achiever, Ray Allen is never more than a 3rd option, and usually the 4th option on every offensive set. Those are some great numbers for a 4th option on a very good team.

By the numbers.

There are a lot of metrics we can measure Allen by, first lets look at ‘+/-‘ stats from www.basketballvalue.com. Right now Ray Allen ranks 31st in the NBA in ‘+/-‘ in 1-year overall, 9th in 2-year adjusted, and 17th in 1-year offensive ratings. If we only look at shoot guards, Allen’s ranks are as follows: 4th in 2-year adjusted, 4th in 1-year overall, and 6th in 1-year offensive ratings. This includes the fact that I’m counting Kevin Durant and Joe Johnson as SGs.

According to win share data on www.basketball-reference.com, Ray Allen ranks 45th overall with 4.0 WS. He is tied for 4th best on the Celtics and 14th best amongst all NBA guards (point and shooting). His PER numbers seem to be struggling (13.7), but overall, Allen is having a very solid year.

When you are trading to get better, you need to trade for a better player, a collective group of players that make you better or for a comparable player and future picks.

Currently Ray, and his stat line, is among small elite group of players. His current play might not reflect such a statement but if we just take Allen’s raw numbers of 15.7ppg, 45%FG, 33.9% 3PT, and 51.6% eFG%, we find that only 8 other guards in the NBA qualify; Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Deron Williams, Mo Williams, Jamal Crawford, Brandon Roy, Eric Gordon and O.J. Mayo. This is not bad company. How all of these guys are pretty much untradeable. There is no way their respective teams are willing to let these guys go for an older player making more money (Ray Allen makes more than every player on this list).

The other option the Celtics have is to get a comparable player and a throw in. The only two worth while candidates I can think of are Monta Ellis and Kirk Hinrich. Kirk is having a terrible year shooting. Compared to Kirk, Ray Allen looks like the MVP. In my mind Kirk would be an incredible pick up if we were to let other players go, but for Ray Allen, you would lose one of your best all around shooters for a less capable shooter. Now Monta is an interesting case. He was close to being an All-Star this year, but was left of by the coaches for what I think is the same reason the Celtics should stay away; immaturity. He is a bratty little kid playing in a horrible system. His turnovers are high, his shooting percentage is low and his shot selection is poor. What makes it worse is the fact that he seems to not care. He is content with getting his, even when his team is a laughing stock.

The Celtics are a team built around being the concept of sharing the ball. They emphasizes passing to the open guy, playing hard nose defense, and not pointing fingers when things break down; all the things which Monta is not, never has been and probably never will be. To top it off, the general game plan for Boston is to let Paul Pierce and/or Rondo dominate the ball set up the (slow) offense and get smart shots. I'm not sure if Monta has the ability to make these adjustments and sacrifices the same way the wiser and older Big 3 made a few years ago.

While I sit here and daydream of getting an upgrade for Ray’s huge expiring contract, I realize one thing; I’m dreaming. There is no upgrade available, only a sea of struggling shooting guards. Hopefully Danny and the Celtics wise up and not listen to the irrational outcries. Boston fans have grown doubtful this season as banner 18 seems to be slipping from our grasps. I must warn everyone, moving Allen will only seal our faith.