Ray Allen's first meeting with the substantial press corps of the Miami Heat centered around the roster of the Boston Celtics, and Allen's bittersweet departure from that team to sign with the rival Heat. Allen said he did not speak with Rajon Rondo, the teammate he'd rumored to have had friction with, but texted with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnet.
"Those are the guys I talked to over the years. We shared the same philosophy. I look back at all our times playing in Boston, we had a lot of disappointments, but we shared a lot of thrills, a lot of that off the court," Allen said.
(PHOTO: Ray Allen in his new Miami Heat jersey, joined by Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra)
As for his new role in a crowded, deep Miami back court, Allen joked about his new role when asked if he was aware he'd be coming off the bench?
"Do you mean I'm not starting? Wish they told me that last week," Allen joked.
Allen cited the fact that the Heat won a title without him, so he's not expecting to be catered to by coaches or teammates and merely looking to contribute to "what the team needs or the coach wants, not on my terms."
Allen said that while he's not normally emotional after games, he cried after the Heat eliminated his Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals this season. Allen called the outrage from Boston fans who felt betrayed "understandable."
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