Too lazy to quote and edit your post...
1. Since when were Boston and Miami considered these intense rivals all of the sudden? Yeah the 2 teams have met twice in the playoffs so far, but Allen has both stated and shown on multiple occasions that he has no ill feelings towards the Big 3 and the Heat. You can't label the Heat as "the enemy" when Allen himself doesn't even see Miami as "the enemy" lol. Plus it's not like he's unquestionably joining the Heat; it's just an option. In terms of options (serious contenders that could really use his services), there aren't going to be a whole lot of them next season. Out West you have the Thunder, Lakers ("the enemy"), Mavs (depends on what moves they make in the off-season), Spurs (already have plenty of sharpshooters), and the Clippers (Billups and CP3). Out East you have Miami and... a broken down Bulls team?
They've had about 6 encounters in the regular season, and a total of 12 playoff games against one another. On top of that, we've seen several skirmishes, injuries (Rondo), a guy going into their huddle (Rondo), and just a constant dislike for each other when on the court. You can count it as a rivalry or not. I'll go ahead and say it's not a rivalry, since I'm a firm believer of the fact that the other team has to win as well in the playoffs. However, it's no secret there's a strong disliking for one another, and I know a lot of "old school" players would not jump ship to join the team they keep losing too. I mean, how often do you see Ray Allen get upset and receive technicals?
Or you can count it as a rivalry, because Boston and Miami have played before LBJ got there. There were some skirmishes in that one as well.
2. Read above post... You're putting too much emphasis on this idea of an "enemy" in general. Let's take a look at another upcoming free agent that could look at the Heat as an enemy since he has played against the Heat in the Finals twice, but doesn't: Jason Terry.
This is what he had to say about the Heat a while ago:
Overall it's clear that many guys just don't share Nash's mindset anymore. I don't think that necessarily makes them cowards. I'd say it's more to do with a change in times and lack of true rivalries. Players just don't hate each other anymore like they used to and many of them are buddy buddy with each other.
Yes, and it's no secret that a lot of people including me lost respect for him after he said that.
3. And why exactly can't I bring up Malone and Payton?
Because there was no rivalry, let alone bitterness between them and the Lakers. Furthermore, neither had won a title and were on their last legs similar to Ray Allen. At least Allen has a title, and also why I didn't mind him being traded to Boston along with KG.
Well then how about John Salley (joined in 2000) who won his first two rings with the Detroit Pistons (a team that beat the Lakers in the Finals) and then hopped on the Lakers bandwagon later in his career to ring chase?
Salley was a joke. The guy was a total bandwagoner, joining the best teams when he had a chance. Blessed to be drafted on the Bad Boy Pistons. Then he gets traded, and first thing he does is try to get a buyout for his contract. What does he do next? Go to the Bulls and win a few rings with them. Then he "retires", comes back and joins the Lakers.
Or how about Mitch Richmond (joined in 2002) who had 6 All-Star seasons with the Kings (an LA rival) and then went on to ring chase with them? Those are just recent examples... Ring chasing is everywhere.
He wasn't part of the Kings when the rivalry started.
And yes, ring chasing is everywhere, but it also shows what kind of person you are. It's one thing to try it when you can't get anything done and you are close to the end of your prime, it's another to simply hop from place to place. It's a whole other thing when you decide to go to a team you should have no business affiliating with.
If Ray Allen thinks getting another ring, while getting 15 minutes of playing time is gonna validate his career even more, then he's not thinking straight.
Also, this is why people love Nash. He is loyal to his team, and doesn't believe in going to the best team via trade when he could have easily done so these last few years.
In other news:
Houston now has the 18th, 16th and 15th pick. Sources say they plan to acquire the 5th pick, and eventually trade all that + Kevin Martin for Dwight. Lowry will be used to get the 5th pick, and then they will also sign Deron.