Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

When Ray Allen decided to take his talents to South Beach, he personified the statement, “If you can’t beat em, join em!”

Micky Arison, who wasn’t even in the country at the time,couldn’t wait to get the story out and tweeted before any official reports were released to the media.

Its 2:30am in London and I was just woken up with great news.Welcome to the family #20!!

— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) July 7, 2012

Allen reportedly “feuded” with Rajon Rondo and couldn’t have been happy about Avery Bradley taking over the 2-guard spot in the Celtics’ starting lineup.

Not only did Ray Allen sacrifice money when he signed for the mid-level exception of $3 million (which could reach a maximum of $9.5 million over three years — still less than the $12 million over two years that Boston offered him) but he sacrificed minutes and scoring too. Allen has been averaging 25 minutes per game this season, which is considerably lower than his 36.2 minutes per game career average. During the regular season, he averaged 10.9 points per game, only about  half his 19.4 career average.

But let’s not feel too sorry for Ray — he is, after all, arguably the best shooter we will ever see (though Steph Curry might have something to say about that).  At this point in his first-ballot Hall-of-Fame career, it’s all about the rings — and if you want a ring, South Beach is the place to be.

Allen joined a much younger, more talented Miami team, led by the best basketball player on the planet, LeBron James.  Allen traded his Celtics green for some Heat reds last July, and seemingly at the right time too, as the Celtics appear to be approaching the end to an era (Garnett and Pierce should be picking up their AARP membership cards any minute now).

Ray Allen’s catching fire at the right time — playoff time.  Against the Bucks he averaged 16.5 points per game in only 29 minutes of play and passed Reggie Miller’s NBA playoff three point record.  Here’s to one of the best professionals in the NBA — let’s hope he can get his second championship ring this year.

Apr 28, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (right) celebrates with guard Ray Allen after beating the Milwaukee Bucks 88-77 in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat were able to finish off the Milwaukee Bucks in just four games. The sweep means a lot for the team, as they will likely get a week of rest. This could do wonders for Heat start shooting guard Dwyane Wade, as he tries to recover from his bruised knee. The week off could get Wade to 100% or as near to it as he can get his knee.

Lebron James can carry the Heat only so far, but the team needs it’s number two punch Wade to get past the likes of the winner of the Indiana Pacer/New York Knicks probable second round series.

Hopefully rest and rehabilitation is exactly what it takes to get Wade back into form.

Apr 25, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova during game three of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Wade held out of Game 4 due to sore knee | Sun-Sentinel

Erring on the side of caution, and working with the luxury of a 3-0 series lead, the Miami Heat held guard Dwyane Wade out of Sunday’s 88-77 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Miami Heat: Second round home playoff tickets on sale Monday | Miami Herald

Tickets for Miami Heat’s first two home games in the second round of the Eastern Conference semifinals go on sale at 2 p.m. on Monday, the team announced Sunday after the sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Miami Heat set for layoff as Bulls-Nets series goes on | USA Today

The Miami Heat may not have a preference who they play in the second round. Chicago Bulls or Brooklyn Nets, it doesn’t matter to the Heat.

That doesn’t mean Miami doesn’t have a rooting interest.

Heat down Bucks to earn first playoff sweep of Big Three era | ESPN.com

LeBron James can cross another item off his to-do list.

James scored 30 points, Ray Allen had another big game against his old team and the Miami Heat got their first playoff sweep in the Big Three era, advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals with an 88-77 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.

The Miami HEAT announce Project White Hot for fans worldwide | Hot Hot Hoops

The Miami HEAT wants to include their fans, both near and far, in this year’s playoff run. They came right out of the playoffs gate with the social media campaign called #WhiteHotHEATFan. Using this hashtag, fans are able to post a picture of themselves in their White Hot HEAT gear and tell where they’re from, then their picture will show up on WhiteHotHEAT.com.

Apr 28, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh shoots a jumper over Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Bosh makes impact on Game 4 defensively| Sun-Sentinel

The series began with the Heat’s Chris Bosh looking anything but like a center.

It ended the complete opposite.

Bosh was dominant on the inside, especially on defense, in the Heat’s series-clinching 88-77 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. He tied his season-high with four blocks.

Ray Allen marvels at Miami’s connection | Palm Beach Post

Following the Game 3 victory in Milwaukee, during his turn at the podium, Ray Allen said this about the Miami Heat, the team he joined last offseason:

“These guys really, really love each other.”
That may have come off a bit corny to some, but it’s consistent with what Allen’s been saying for a while.