The trade may have occured three weeks ago yet people are still talking about the Ray Allen-Gary Payton exchange.  One of the reasons, Milwaukee Journal-Constitution writer Tom Enland writes, is the uncertainty of the situation of the relationship between Allen and coach George Karl at the time of the deal.

Both parties remain civl when talking about the other, which happens often, but their comments reveal a certain rift that was beyond repair.

Karl said that Allen had a situation in Milwaukee that was similar to what guard Gary Payton, whom the Bucks obtained in the trade, had encountered in Seattle.

"The trade was good for Gary and it was good for Ray, too," Karl said. "I don't know if Gary could get over the negative hurdles hanging over his head (in Seattle). Ray had some of the same things."

"He and I had battles. Sometimes, it's better to go somewhere else with the knowledge that you've gained through the experience. Ray had battles with Glenn (Robinson), he had battles with the Big Three, he had battles with me. I've been watching Ray play (in Seattle) and he seems to be playing with a new energy."

"I think it's been good for him."

Allen, meanwhile, said that he had begun to feel smothered in Milwaukee to the point where it was dictated what he said to the media.

"In Milwaukee, it got to be a situation in which there was so much frustration just trying to play, almost like I wasn't free anymore to be who I was," Allen said. "The coach criticized me for being who I am. George would tell me to be careful with the media, to not say things about the team.

"I did say we weren't as good as we needed to be, but I didn't bash people. It got to a point where, outside of some of my teammates - I wasn't happy. As far as (offering) my opinion, I can't be hushed. I've got to speak my mind, be who I am. I was becoming less than I was."