Ray Allen Press Conference: Miami Heat Introduce New Star, Allen Dances Around Rajon Rondo Friction

Ray Allen was introduced as a member of the Miami Heat during a press conference on Wednesday, saying that leaving the Boston Celtics for South Beach was best for himself and his family.

Allen said that while meeting with Pat Riley, he realized that they shared several basketball philosophies. Allen also believes that the Heat see his role in a similar fashion to the way he does.

When asked about the friction between himself and Rajon Rondo that reportedly drove him out of Boston, Allen did his best not to directly answer the question. He did note that he has texted with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce since leaving, but has not communicated with Rondo.

"There's differences. We all have differences," Allen noted about his relationship with Rondo. He then tried to make light of the situation. "Paul [Pierce] eats corn flakes. I may not like corn flakes."

Allen noted that he was hesitant about leaving Boston, but feels the Heat can offer him a role that will help him continue to thrive during his later years in a way that Boston might not have been able to afford him.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and our team blog, CelticsBlog.

End Of An Era: Ray Allen Joins Heat, Boston Celtics' Big Three Era Ends

Ray Allen is gone, and with his departure, the door was slammed shut on the Big Three era.

Ray Allen Signs With Heat: Rift With Celtics Impacted Allen's Decision

Ray Allen's decision to sign with the Miami Heat may come across as a curious one when you look at the facts. For starters, Allen spent that last five years in Boston. He won one championship here, and nearly another. Secondly, the Celtics were offering double what Miami offered -- $12 million over two years compared to $6 million. Something didn't add up.

Well, according to Yahoo! Sports, relationship rifts with member of the Celtics, namely Rajon Rondo and Danny Ainge, are to blame for Allen's decision to leave the 17-time champions.

The deterioration of Ray Allen's relationship with Rajon Rondo played a significant factor in his leaving for Miami, several sources tell Y!

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 7, 2012

As Y! had reported, Allen was angry w/ near-trade to Memphis at deadline. Too much acrimony to get past. Off to Miami for less money.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 7, 2012

Doc Rivers had tried to mend Rondo-Allen issues after season, but one team source says, "They were too far gone."

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 7, 2012

Money didn't matter this time for Allen, and the rifts made it much easier to leave Boston.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and our team blog, CelticsBlog.

PHOTO: Ray Allen Jersey Burned After He Leaves Celtics, Signs With Heat

Ray Allen Signs With Heat: Allen Wanted $9 Million Per Year From Celtics

Ray Allen has reportedly decided to sign with the Miami Heat, according to multiple reports. Allen, who spent the past five seasons with the Boston Celtics, had met with Heat management on Thursday and left Friday, but had not reached a deal before leaving. Allen will be paid $3.09 million per season under the mini mid-level exception, per Hoopsworld.

Allen and the Celtics had been in contract negotiations for a lengthy period, but he wanted $9 million over three years ($27 million total), which was just too much for Boston's brass.

But according to a league source, Allen's request from the Celtics went beyond the pale - reportedly a demand for a three-year, $27 million contract. The Celtics, according to the source, were in the process of attempting to talk Allen down from $9 million to $6 million per year. (via Boston Herald)

Allen's deteriorating relationship with Rajon Rondo, as well as the fact that Danny Ainge nearly traded him at the deadline this past season, played a role in his decision to leave.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and our team blog, CelticsBlog.

Ray Allen Signs With Heat: Allen Takes Half Of What Celtics Offered To Play In Miami

Ray Allen has signed will be taking his talents to play for the Miami Heat, as reported earlier here at SB Nation Boston. Details of the deal are still emerging, and it has been reported that Allen turned down significantly more money from the Celtics to play for the Heat. The Celtics were offering $6 million and a no-trade clause, almost double Miami's offer of $3.09, as reported by Hoops World.

Boston was in possession of Allen's Bird Rights, meaning they were able to go beyond the salary cap in making an offer to the veteran. That means that any offer they might make to another player will be significantly less, hampering their ability to land someone who can make a difference.

Stick with this storystream for more on Ray Allen signing with Miami as the story develops. For reactions to the deal and all things Celtics, head over to Celtics Blog.

Ray Allen Signing: Allen Not Expecting Furor From Celtics Fans After Signing With Heat

More details have emerged on Ray Allen's decision to sign with the Miami Heat over the Boston Celtics. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Allen felt that Celtics fans would not judge him too harshly for leaving to play for Miami:

Privately, Ray Allen had insisted to people that he didn't believe the city of Boston would be too hard on him for signing with Miami.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 7, 2012

Allen believes the capital he's built up playing for UConn and the Celtics would supercede signing with Miami. He's probably misjudged that.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 7, 2012

Allen played for the Uconn Huskies from 1993 to 1996, and has played for the Celtics from 2007 to 2012. Despite his key role in the Celtics successes of recent years, including crucial performances in Boston's championship win in the 2008 NBA Finals, it seems safe to say that Allen might need to adjust his expectations about how fans will react.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more on Ray Allen signing with the Miami Heat as it develops. For all things Celtics, check out Celtics Blog.

Ray Allen Will Reportedly Leave Boston Celtics, Sign With Miami Heat

The Big Three era is officially over. Ray Allen has decided to leave the Boston Celtics and take his talents to South Beach to join LeBron James and the Miami Heat, according to multiple reports. Allen spent five seasons in Boston.