Doc thinks Celtics' beef with Allen will end before title anniversary

The upcoming season marks the 10th anniversary of the Boston Celtics' most recent championship, though relationships have long since frayed between sharpshooter Ray Allen and stars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo.

Allen famously left the Celtics to join LeBron James and the rival Miami Heat in 2012 - a defection that wasn't taken lightly by his former teammates.

The offseason following Allen's departure, Celtics coach Doc Rivers was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for draft compensation. Still with the Clippers, the bench boss and front office executive is hoping everyone can just get along.

"The Ray thing? I don’t know. I think it will (heal). At the end of the day, that team was as close of a group of any I have ever been around," Rivers said in an interview with The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears.

"So, when one leaves, it hurts your feelings," Doc continued. "I think that’s what happened with our guys. Ray’s a terrific guy. We all know that. The guys that are with him are terrific. It will get back."

Allen would add to his championship hardware at the conclusion of his first of two campaigns in Miami, with his epic 3-point shot at the end of regulation in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals standing out as his career-defining play.

As for Allen's role in the impending celebration of the 2008 Celtics?

"I think the time will help them get back together," said Rivers. "Well, at least I’m hoping. So far, unsuccessfully. But I do think it will happen."