Despite lifting the NBA title on two separate occasions in his illustrious career, former Milwaukee Bucks star Ray Allen recently admitted to still being bitter about the Bucks' Eastern Conference Finals defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers some 17 years ago.
Allen recently spoke with Gery Woelfel of Woelfel's Press Box to primarily discuss his upcoming induction to the basketball Hall of Fame. However, the conversation led to Allen's frustrations as a part of the Bucks. For the 43-year-old, their infamous series loss against the Sixers back in 2001 was one of the lowest points of his time in Milwaukee.
For a little back story, Bucks big man Scott Williams was controversially suspended in the pivotal Game 7 of the Bucks-Sixers series. Without Williams manning the paint, Allen Iverson and the Sixers were able dismantle the Bucks defense en route to a famous victory in the First Union Center in Philadelphia.
After the game, Allen did not hold back and shared how he believed they were aggrieved by the association.
“After the Bucks-76ers series, Allen said, ‘It behooves everybody for the league to make more money and the league knows that Philadelphia is going to make more money with L.A than we would with L.A.’'”
Despite being handed a hefty fine for his straightforward comments, Allen appears to hold no regrets about speaking his mind. In fact, 17 years on, Allen still feels exactly the same way.
“I said it at the time, and I’ll say it now: The league didn’t want us in the Finals,’’ Ray Allen said. “It’s disgusting.’’
Allen is not one to easily forgive and forget. Hopefully, his HOF induction helps him move on from this bitter memory.
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