Doc Rivers lamented Ray Allen’s decision to sign with Miami.

“I’m just disappointed, he should have stayed,” Rivers said. “We recruited him just as hard [as Miami]. We talked [after he agreed to a three-year contract with the Heat]. It was a good talk. When a guy makes his mind up, I am not going to try to change it. I respect him for all he did for us, but I thought he should have stayed with us.”

Rivers indicated that Allen may have been irritated by the Celtics first courting Kevin Garnett.

“I thought we did [pursue him],” Rivers said. “[President of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] in particular did exactly what he should have done. Kevin Garnett was our focal point, and he should have been. If that got anyone ruffled, then that’s probably too bad. We did everything that we’re supposed to do.

“[Allen] had his reasons. I think emotionally he probably got bent sideways a little bit by us courting Kevin, for some reason. I don’t know, honestly. Listen, he was great for us when he was here and that’s all we can say for it. Clearly, we would have liked him to stay with us. But I respect Ray and that will never go away.”