In Ray Allen's upcoming book “From The Outside: My Journey Through Life and the Game I Love,” he details several stories about his five seasons with the Boston Celtics. The two stories that made headlines were the Celtics wanting to trade Rajon Rondo for Chris Paul and Rondo telling him, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce that he carried them in the 2008 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In an exclusive interview with Gary Washburn of Boston Globe, Rondo responded to Allen's claims:
“He just wants attention,” Rondo said. “I need actually some sales from [the book], only [publicity] it’s been getting is from my name. I need some percentage or something. His people contact my people or something. The only pub I’ve been hearing about is when he mentions my name.”
Rondo also feels Allen is hurting — whether it is financially or mentally, according to Washburn:
“Obviously that man is hurting,” Rondo said of Allen. “I don’t know if it’s financially, I don’t know if it’s mentally. He wants to stay relevant. I am who I am. I don’t try to be something I’m not. I can’t say the same for him. He’s looking for attention. I’m a better human being than that. I take accountability for my actions.
“Certain [stuff] happens in my life, I man up. But he has a whole other agenda.”
While it has been 10 seasons since the Big Three was formed in Boston, it will be interesting to see if Allen or any other members of the 2008 championship team respond to these claims. Although there was bad blood after Allen signed with the Miami Heat, he and Pierce recently made up.
As Allen is officially retired, Rondo is trying to help the New Orleans Pelicans make the playoffs in the extremely competitive Western Conference. In 54 appearances during the 2017-18 NBA season, the 32-year-old is averaging 7.9 points and 7.7 assists in 25.6 minutes.
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