‘I’ve gotten so much hate.’ Ray Allen reveals he received death threats from Celtics fans
NBA fans know Ray Allen doesn’t have many fans in the city of Boston.
Allen spurned the Celtics for the Miami Heat in the summer of 2012, and that wound still remains fresh nearly a decade later. Though his popularity (or rather, lack thereof) in Boston is essentially common knowledge, just how deep their fans’ hate ran was not — until now.
During a recent appearance on The Cedric Maxwell Podcast, Allen revealed he received death threats after joining the Heat.
“I’ve gotten so much hate, death threats, vitriol from Boston fans,” Allen said Tuesday. “Obviously these guys have kind of removed me from the Big 3 and said so many negative things about me, and I haven’t had one negative thing to say about any of them.”
The Hall of Fame sharpshooter also appeared to be offended that his former teammates erased his legacy, especially considering his role in helping snap the Celtics’ 22-year title drought in 2008. Allen specifically pointed to Kevin Garnett, the only Big 3 member who hasn’t attempted to repair their fractured relationship.
“I never had any ill will towards Kevin,” Allen, who played in Boston from 2007 to 2012, said. “This is not a two-way argument or debate. This is him, he dug his heels in the sand and decided I’m not a brother of his anymore.”
After nearly eight years of tension, Allen seems ready to move on. With the Celtics set to retire Garnett’s number next season, the opportunity for the two to work out their differences is there. And at least one person will be trying to make that happen.
“I think it’s ridiculous, but [the hate is] still there, with some guys, not with every guy,” former Celtics coach Doc Rivers told ESPN in late February. “KG is getting his jersey retired next year, and I’m hoping everyone is there. I’ll make the right calls.”
