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This truly cemented my feelings for Ray Allen. He's quite versatile, and more importantly his game knowledge leads him to settling into the number three role, while at times dominating the game.
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I agree with you about Allen. He isn't as flashy as Pierce and Garnett, but he's effectively elegant - he helps a team win, and he does it with a graceful aplomb.
Everyone knows about Allen's three-point shooting abilities. What impresses me about him is his adaptability to different roles. He had never been asked to be a third scoring option or a defensive stopper, yet he assumed both roles quite well. He also learned to create his own shot, something he says he was not accustomed to doing in Seattle where he was more of a spot-up shooter.
I was also astonished by how good he is at weaving into the lane for a smooth lay-up. Most players crash the boards haphazardly, and you don't really know where the ball will end up; half the time, it seems like they're satisfied if they draw a foul, and they don't even care if they score the bucket. Not Allen. He somehow completes those plays to perfection. He makes it look effortless too. He's the Fred Astaire of the hardwood.
Now I'll admit that I cursed him a few times during the first couple rounds of the playoffs when he was one of the worst shooters I had ever seen, but he proved me wrong in the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals. He tied two NBA records - most threes in a Finals series (22) and most threes in a Finals game (7.) There's no way the Celtics would have won the championship without him.
When Allen is on, he's lethal. And it couldn't have been easy for anyone, let alone someone with obsessive compulsive disorder (he's a real life Monk), to focus on basketball as his young son dealt with a series of severe symptoms that required hospitalization during the Finals (Allen's son was subsequently diagnosed with diabetes.)
It's hard not to be happy for all three of Pierce, Allen and Garnett. They all deserve this ring, and as a Celtics fan, I hope there's a lot more hardware in their future. Realistically, though, I think this is a one and done. The Cavs came close to beating the Celtics in Round 2, and I don't think the Celtics will be able to keep this team together (Posey is likely to bolt for bigger money.) Then there's the age factor, plus the Lakers getting Bynum back at full strength. I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics make it back to the ECF and/or Finals, only to drop a series to the Cavaliers or Lakers.
That said, the Celtics are well-situated for the long-haul. When Allen's money comes off the books, they'll be able to sign another max player and pair him up with Pierce and Garnett. (It might require a sign-and-trade.) To replace Allen, I have my sights set on LeBron James. Can you imagine a lineup with Pierce, James and Garnett? Wow. And don't discount that as a possibility. Lots of guys are going to want to play for a historical franchise with two top-caliber All-Stars. Pierce and Garnett should be very good for another two years, then above average for 2-3 years after that. Allen maybe has one more strong season in him.