It's always cool to see the relics of the Boston Celtics' rich history get the props they deserve. A few months ago, it was confirmed that Doc Rivers would be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Rivers' career peaked with the Big 3 Celtics, which explains why they'll be presenting him at the induction.
Yes, that includes Ray Allen.
Ray Allen just confirmed today and will join Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett as being presenters for Doc Rivers in his Hall of Fame induction on Aug. 15. The Big Three returns. #Celtics #HoopHall2026
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) August 3, 2026
You know, Ray Allen has shown how much he truly treasures his time with the Celtics organization since his infamous departure in 2012. Since then, he has won some of the fans back when he attended Kevin Garnett's jersey retirement in 2022.
He was then in attendance in Boston for when the Celtics clinched Banner 18 two years ago.
This doesn't erase him ditching the Celtics to join forces with LeBron James or his tell-all book, but it's clear Allen values his playing days in Boston.
In fact, what gets forgotten about Allen is that he almost came back to play for the Celtics once upon a time. 10 years ago, the Celtics were in the hunt for Kevin Durant, and Allen admitted that if they had won the Durant sweepstakes then, he would have returned for one last run.
If Allen helped Boston win Banner 18, his legacy is would be entirely different
Boston did not win the Durant sweepstakes, but they came awfully close. It's fair to suggest that if Golden State had won in 2016, he may have become a Celtic. Allen obviously would not have been able to play the same role he once did, but would have been their designated sharpshooter.
There's no way to know how the dominoes would have fallen, but adding Durant would have put Boston into title contention, and Allen may have given them some extra flavor. Sentimentally, it would have been great to see happen in real time, but if it had led to a championship, who knows what Allen's legacy would look like.
Currently, Allen won't get a jersey retirement ceremony (despite Garnett's pleas), but coming back to help the Celtics win another title may have gotten No. 20 up in the rafters alongside Garnett and Paul Pierce.
To be perfectly fair, what drove Allen out of Boston wasn't just the chance to play with LeBron, but to get away from Rondo. He has shown since then that his time with the Celtics meant a lot to him regardless of how the organization or the fans feel about him.
That has only shown itself even more by rejoining Garnett and Pierce at Rivers' Hall of Fame induction, signaling his understanding of how great those days were.
Just hopefully, Rondo's not there too.
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