4. Ray Allen signs with the Miami Heat

By Steve Silva for Boston.com

In a move that sent shock waves through Celtic Nation, Ray Allen followed LeBron James and took his talents to South Beach, making the Big Three a memory in Boston.

Allen reportedly took half the money the Celtics were offering to sign a three-year contract with the rival Heat and get a fresh start with LeBron & Co.

Allen was reportedly unhappy during his final season in Boston — especially with point guard Rajon Rondo — and again placed on the trading block because of his expiring contract. He was forced to approach coach Doc Rivers about moving to the bench when second-year guard Avery Bradley began to shine as a defensive force.

The 37-year-old Allen scored 19 points in 31 minutes of a 120-107 Heat victory in the 2012-13 season opener in Miami in October as Heat fans chanted, “We got Ray! We got Ray!’’

But the takeaway moment came when Kevin Garnett refused to acknowledge Allen when Allen patted KG on the shoulder before checking into the game for the first time. Garnett didn't even flinch, staring straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge the gesture in any way.

Allen missed his first game of the season Dec. 26 because of a right shoulder stinger sustained late in the Heat’s Christmas Day win over Oklahoma City. Allen was hit hard by Kendrick Perkins—another former Celtic—on a screen and bruised the shoulder.

Allen has been clutch off the Heat bench for most of the season, averaging 11.7 points and shooting 45.8 percent from three-point range in 25.7 minutes per game.