The late 2000s Boston Celtics, a team that would go on to define an era, are once again in the spotlight as the sports world reflects on the seismic shifts that shaped the NBA landscape. With the imminent release of the Nike LeBron 23 “Green With Envy” sneaker, which pays homage to the fierce rivalry between the Celtics and the Miami Heat, fans are reminded of a time when front office maneuvers and on-court battles rewrote the book on what it meant to be a superteam.
Back in 2008, the Celtics, under the strategic eye of General Manager Danny Ainge, pulled off a series of shrewd moves that brought together Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, with young Rajon Rondo rounding out the core. This formidable quartet didn’t take long to make their mark. They powered through the league, culminating in a dramatic victory over Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to capture Boston’s first NBA championship in thirty-two seasons. The city was buzzing, and the Celtics had officially reestablished themselves as a force in the league.
But success in the NBA is fleeting, and the Celtics’ dominance would soon be tested by a new superteam on the block. After falling in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals to the Lakers, Boston found themselves repeatedly stonewalled by the Miami Heat, led by none other than LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Heat, assembled with the same kind of bold vision that had brought Boston its glory, ultimately overtook the Celtics as the kings of the Eastern Conference by 2012.
It was in that pivotal summer of 2012 that the rivalry reached its boiling point. Ray Allen, a critical piece of Boston’s championship puzzle, made the controversial decision to leave the Celtics and join the very team that had become their nemesis. The move shocked the basketball world and sent ripples through the Celtics locker room. Rajon Rondo, reflecting on those days during an appearance on “Time Out with Dwyane Wade,” didn’t mince words: “It was the Celtics, and it was the Heat, and it was smoke every time we saw each other. We at war, that’s the mindset. So we at war, and one of our troops joins the opps.” While Rondo could laugh about it years later, the disappointment among the Celtics was real and raw at the time.
Kevin Garnett, perhaps the most passionate and vocal of the group, felt the sting of Allen’s departure deeply. The sense of betrayal lingered for years, coloring the relationship between the former teammates. Rondo, who was a decade younger than Allen and less personally invested in the Big Three dynamic, noted that Garnett and Pierce were hit hardest by the move. The Celtics’ championship window slammed shut, and the Miami Heat, with Allen now in their ranks, became the new standard-bearers in the East, winning the NBA championship in 2012 and cementing their legacy.
The narrative of rivalry, betrayal, and eventual reconciliation is woven through the fabric of NBA history. Years later, with the benefit of hindsight and the sobering perspective brought by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, Garnett chose to let go of his grudge. During his jersey retirement night in 2022, Allen, who had not informed his former teammates of his attendance, was called onto the court by Garnett. The two shared an embrace, a symbolic gesture that closed the chapter on their feud. Allen later recounted the moment on “The Dan Patrick Show,” describing it as a turning point for both men.
While the Celtics’ Big Three—Garnett, Allen, and Pierce—have all since been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Rajon Rondo’s own legacy continues to grow. As a two-time NBA champion, Rondo is set to become eligible for Hall of Fame induction in 2026. Though he may not be a first-ballot selection like his more celebrated teammates, there’s little doubt that his incredible career will be recognized in due time.
The echoes of those battles between Boston and Miami continue to reverberate, not just in the memories of fans, but in the stories of the next generation of players. Take Miles McBride, for instance. Four years ago, as a rookie with the New York Knicks, McBride found himself at Madison Square Garden on a night that would become historic: Steph Curry broke Ray Allen’s all-time three-point record against the Knicks on December 14, 2021. McBride, who logged a career-high 21 minutes in that game, was still finding his footing in the NBA and struggling with his own three-point efficiency.
After the game, McBride seized the opportunity to approach Ray Allen—by then a permanent resident on the Mount Rushmore of long-distance shooters—for advice. “He probably didn’t realize I was going to lock in on whatever he was saying,” McBride told Post Sports+. The conversation, which McBride credits as a catalyst for his leap in jump shooting, underscores Allen’s enduring influence on the game and the players who follow in his footsteps.
Ray Allen’s journey, from being a cornerstone of Boston’s championship run to making the bold leap to Miami, has left an indelible mark on the NBA. His legacy isn’t just measured in rings or records, but in the way he continues to inspire young players like McBride to reach new heights. The upcoming release of the Nike LeBron 23 “Green With Envy” sneaker, with its nods to the Celtics’ iconic green and the celebratory rituals of champions, serves as a tangible reminder of the era when Boston and Miami waged war for Eastern Conference supremacy.
The sneaker itself is a collector’s dream: a soft green upper, iridescent purple mudguard, contrasting red and royal blue tongue, and water droplets that evoke the locker room celebrations that follow a hard-fought victory. The heel features a unique soda/beer tab charm and a green gem embedded within, symbolizing both the battles won and the envy that fuels competition. Set for release on January 16, 2026, with adult sizes priced at $210 and Big Kids/Grade School sizes at $165, it’s more than just footwear—it’s a piece of basketball history.
As the NBA turns the page to a new year and a new generation of stars, the stories of the Celtics-Heat rivalry, Ray Allen’s controversial move, and the lessons passed down to players like Miles McBride remain as relevant as ever. The game evolves, but the echoes of those unforgettable battles continue to shape the league’s identity, one sneaker drop and one conversation at a time.
