Ray Allen: From content to contender

Now that Ray Allen plays with the hardest-working big man in basketball, now that he's part of a rare NBA star trio, now that he can see a championship more clearly than ever, let this be known:

Sometimes, not getting your way is wonderful.

Invigorating, even.

This is like a child being forced to eat brussels sprouts, only to find chocolate inside.

Allen didn't want to leave Seattle. The Sonics traded their most accomplished player to Boston anyway. Allen accepted it with his customary professionalism, and this past week, he received the ultimate welcoming gift.

Kevin Garnett in Celtics green.

With Allen and Garnett joining incumbent star Paul Pierce, the Celtics are more relevant than they've been since Larry Bird retired.

And Allen is about to discover a level of happiness he wouldn't have experienced here.

"I was very content with where I was," Allen said. "Sometimes, contentment brings upon mediocrity. You have to be careful of that in sports. Sometimes, you've got to shake it up."

On June 28, draft night, Allen was shaken. New Sonics general manager Sam Presti traded him to the Celtics for Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West.

Allen remembers meeting with Presti several days before the deal. Allen was hearing rumors he could be traded.

"I asked him about it," Allen said. "He told me if he had the opportunity to make the team better, he would do any trade.

"I guess he thought trading me would make the team better."

Allen believes the Sonics could've been "one of the top three teams in the Western Conference" if they had kept him, re-signed forward Rashard Lewis and formed a trio with Kevin Durant.

I've argued the opposite. An Allen-Durant-Lewis combination wouldn't have allowed the Sonics to maximize the talents of all three players because they all like to roam on the perimeter. The Sonics still would've been deficient inside. They would've made the playoffs — barely — and lost in the first or second round.

It's interesting, however, to hear the view of a player who was committed to make it work.

"Obviously, the Sonics saw differently," Allen said. "It just didn't seem like it made sense. But now Rashard is in a good situation in Orlando. And I'm in Boston with Paul and KG."

Initially, Lewis and Allen will look like the big winners in the Sonics' makeover. Lewis will help the Orlando Magic make the playoffs and probably show new dimensions of his game. And if Boston adds three decent, role-playing veterans at point guard, center and on the wing, Allen will play in the NBA Finals next season.

At 32, and with his hoops career nearing the end, Allen can win like he never has before. His most successful playoff run came six years ago. In 2001, Milwaukee advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before losing a seven-game series to Philadelphia.

The Bucks featured a star trio that year in Allen, Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell. Allen and Robinson averaged more than 20 points that season, and Cassell contributed 18 points and nearly eight assists. It was a functional trio, even though the chemistry wasn't perfect.

This Boston situation is considerably different. The star power is greater. Garnett adds two layers those Bucks didn't have: a 7-footer who can score inside and outside, and an acclaimed defensive stopper.

The Celtics trio can coexist because the stars are in their 30s and have been humbled by losing. Being the primary star had turned into a burden for all of them. If they can't unite and accept roles now, they'll forever be on that list of perennial All-Stars who never won anything significant.

"People just assume, 'What's wrong with this? Why can't this work?' " Allen said. "They were saying that even before the KG trade, and they were thinking it was just going to be me and Paul.

"Playing together is not going to be an issue. That's where basketball becomes fun. Guys aren't fighting for anything but each other and for victories."

Allen is thinking of ways he can challenge his new teammates. It's hard to nitpick elite players, but maybe Garnett and Pierce can be better free-throw shooters, get more assists, get more steals. Maybe Allen can challenge himself to become a better defender and playmaker.

We think he'll be the Celtics' designated shooter. Allen doesn't want to limit himself.

He's dreaming again. He can be a part of restoring the reputation of the NBA's most storied franchise.

Allen didn't get his way, and he couldn't be happier about it.

"Let that be a lesson to any young player in the NBA," Allen said. "Anybody can be traded. You have to go about playing the same way, no matter where you're at, no matter what situation you're in.

"Things can change. I can be disappointed about getting traded, but it's a job. One day, I'll be retired, and I can laugh about the bad stuff that I stressed over. I can say it helped me become a man."

In this case, it might help him become a champion.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com. For more columns and the Extra Points blog, visit seattletimes.com/sports