New Celtics teammates Keyon Dooling and Ray Allen have something of a history together. In 2006, with Dooling playing for the Orlando Magic and Allen playing for the Seattle Sonics, the two had a bit of an on-court fight.
A lot has changed since then, however. For instance, the Sonics as the were known back then are history. So, too, is any sort of beef the two guards may have had — “ancient history” in fact.
Dooling was asked about the fight on Tuesday at Celtics, and the new C’s guard made it very clear that both he and Allen have let bygones be bygones.
“The Sonics? Is that even a team anymore? That’s ancient history,” explained Dooling. “When Ray and I saw each other the next time after the fight, we had a conversation and we embraced each other. At the end of the day, it was the heat of the battle, and I have a lot more respect for him and he has a lot more respect for me, and you know a man better when you fight.
“He’s been nothing but a phenomenal influence since I’ve been here. I had a chance to spend some time with him over the summer with some of the union business. I’m just looking forward to being here and being a part of this organization.”
Dooling wouldn’t even go as far as declare a winner in the bout, either.
“Man, nobody wins in a basketball fight. The NBA won. They got all the fine money. They always win, right?”
Dooling was suspended five games as the fight’s instigator (while also trying to keep the fight going in the tunnel leading to the locker room), while Allen was banned three games for his role in the altercation.
See more from Dooling in the video below.
