Earlier this week, it was reported by Julian Benbow of The Boston Globe that there was a chance Celtics bench coach Clifford Ray would not be returning this season. The reason was unknown, and nobody was sure of whether his departure from the team was his decision, the Celtics decision, or a mutual one.
This past week Julian dug deep to find out the details behind Ray's departure from the team and found out that it was indeed the Celtics that decided to part ways with Ray.
“It was a tough thing,’’ he said. “But I took whatever opportunity was in front of me and tried to make the most of it. I had to go out every day and mop the floor at the practice facility and clean the gym and do whatever I had to do. I looked at it as an opportunity to teach, because that was my goal, to teach.’’
However, Ray’s teaching days in Boston came to an end; he found out last month the Celtics weren’t bringing him back.
The reason why the Celtics decided to let go of Coach Ray is still unknown. It couldn't have been because of financial issues, could it? I can't imagine his salary was anything that would break the bank of Wyc Grousbeck and company.
Could they have someone else in mind? Kevin McHale? Brian Scalabrine? Hopefully not the second option; I think they'd be better off with Ray when it comes to coaching the bigs.
The way this whole thing went down just amazes me. The Celtics organization really has me wondering. Why would they let go of a guy whose been succesful coaching the team's bigs? Look at Glen Davis, that guy was the 38th pick in the draft. You can't tell me that Ray didn't help him get to where he is today.
I have a feeling that more may come out of this story and I'll be interesting to find out why they let such a great guy go. Regardless, best of luck to Coach Ray in whatever he chooses to do next in life.
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