After cortisone shot, Allen hopeful for return

ESPNBOSTON
By Peter May

Ray Allen could be back on the floor Wednesday.
WALTHAM -- Ray Allen has not played since a 25-minute stint in Milwaukee nearly two weeks ago. Felled by a sore right ankle which necessitated a cortisone shot, Allen went through a rare Celtics practice Tuesday and said he’s planning on rejoining his mates for Wednesday night’s game against the Spurs.

Allen has had a couple false alarms while trying to come back, going through day-of-game shootarounds last Friday and Sunday before pulling back. He said he the cortisone shot on Sunday and the result was positive and immediate.

“I had a shot in the ankle (last Sunday) and had all day to kind of let it maneuver through my body,’’ Allen said. “(Tuesday), I walked in and I felt like I had two new wheels.”

112288

Personally if this is just masking the pain i'd rather he wait a little longer. I suppose he can't make it worse unless he tweeks it but that can happen anytime.

Problem as Sam as stated he will need to get into some sort of rhythm, and will need minutes to do this. Should he get them this game, and with the starters or the bench???

Sure he wants to play, and we will need him, but is tonight too soon?

beat

Leave well enough alone. Sit Ray on the bench and ease him in. What is the rush. We are winning aren't we. Not like we are worrying about a playoff berth.

112288

112288 wrote:Leave well enough alone. Sit Ray on the bench and ease him in. What is the rush. We are winning aren't we. Not like we are worrying about a playoff berth.

112288

Could not agree more.

beat

There might be more pressure in coming off the bench than in starting. Everyone is waiting for that bright spot off the bench and Ray could be
that, if he doesn't try to do too much too fast. So.....I never thought I
would say this, but, he should come off the bench to ease into things

I don't know what the big thing is, some of the best Celtics have been
the 6th man, Havlicek, McHale, Ramsey, some of the greatest Celtics.
Ray could carve a new career with this move.

Rosalie

It ain't who starts really


It's who finishes.

My concern is that although it may feel great, i'd rather it did so without a cortizone shot to mask it. This isn't a make or break game.

Let the puppys drag the spurs thru the mud and see what the next game holds for ray.


beat

To some degree, I agree, however, when a shooter loses his rhythm, it sometimes takes a while to get it back. I am sure that is what Ray is worried about, not the starting position. I would love for him to get on a roll after a
couple of games. We need his shooting, no matter how good Bradley is doing.
The only one off the bench besides Steamer is Dooling who can score, but not
consistently. Dooling has been playing better, but, knowing Ray, he wouldn't
come back unless he felt he could play. He is a fanatic when it comes to his body. So, let him go, if he has trouble we will know soon enough.

Ray does need to recapture his shooting rhythm, and he needs minutes to do this. However, I think if you take cortisone, it makes it risky to suffer further injury to your body to the affected area that can't be detected. Years ago Kevin Loughery of the Baltimore Bullets contiuned to take shots of cortisone for an injured hamstring just to play in the play offs against the Knicks. Murph wound up laid up for most of the off season over the Summer of '69. I would err on the side of caution with Ray Allen.

MD!

Ray who?

Now, now Bob, don't get too cocky!!! When is Bradley going to come down to earth?? Would you not want a guy like Ray Allen on your team to shoot the lights out in the playoffs. Sorry, some fans have forgotten to easily how valuable Ray is. I am not giving up on him, I want him back and shooting the
lights out. Never say never, not with a guy this talented.

RosalieTCeltics wrote:Now, now Bob, don't get too cocky!!! When is Bradley going to come down to earth?? Would you not want a guy like Ray Allen on your team to shoot the lights out in the playoffs. Sorry, some fans have forgotten to easily how valuable Ray is. I am not giving up on him, I want him back and shooting the
lights out. Never say never, not with a guy this talented.

Rosalie,

Belated April Fool's joke.

OF COURSE I want Ray to play. His presence on the 2nd unit would stabilize it and give it offense. As a starter he spreads the floor with his shooting.

:-)

bob

.

I guess the joke is on me, Bob. Just not too quick these days, been a long haul, now I have to take my husband to the hospital tomorrow for surgery on a blocked carotid artery. Man, it just doesn't stop. I think I will own the hospital by the end of the year!!!

Anyway, I am loving this winning streak and look forward to a win tonight. It
is going to be a tough game, the Spurs are playing well, but IF RAY COMES IN AND SHOOTS A FEW THREE'S, MAYBE, JUST MAYBE , the streak will continue!!!

Bob who?

Rosalie, please wish Bill all the best with his procedure. Fortunately, it has become quite commonplace, but one is always justifiably concerned whenever dealing with any medical procedure.

We can conjecture all we wish, but the fact is that, one way or another, Doc will find the right balance in playing Ray and Avery. It may take a few games and might even involve a backwards step before it kicks into gear. But kick it will, and the Celtics and all of us will be the beneficiaries.

Go Celtics, and Go Bill

Sam.