Ray Allen's Most Memorable Moments in a Boston Celtics Jersey

The Boston Celtics' Big Three put together some of the finest basketball seen in this city in decades, but it appears that this era is finally coming to a close.

Ray Allen was the target of many trade rumors over the last two seasons, lost his starting job to young shooting guard Avery Bradley and suffered a serious injury that hurt him through much of the playoffs.

Now, Allen is moving on from Causeway Street and finding a new home in South Beach, as ESPN.com reports that he has come to an agreement that will find him playing alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for the Miami Heat. 

Although it is sad to see him leave, Celtics fans must not forget the amazing performances that Allen produced while playing for a Boston franchise that has a tradition of winning. He did just what everyone hoped he, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce would do: They won a championship for the city of Boston and the people of Boston.

I had the great opportunity to see some of Ray's finest performances and awe-provoking moments in my time as a Celtics fan, and I hope we could all reflect on the great basketball he played for this city and remember the amazing moments that made us all proud to be Celtics fans. 

Ray Allen Joins the Boston Celtics to Create a New Big Three

Danny Ainge had done the impossible and pulled together three great stars to create the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Although Allen hadn't even stepped onto the court yet, just joining the Boston Celtics will be one of his greatest moments. It provided hope to a franchise that seemed to have lost its way, and he gave hope to fans who wanted so badly to return to the competitive Celtics they had once seen. 

Allen was the deep-threat player the Celtics truly needed, and combined with the skill sets of Garnett and Pierce, they would become a near-unstoppable force in the East. Through their time together they defied the odds, defied age and stuck together through difficult times.

The fans will always remember the hope that Allen gave the city of Boston when he came to the C's and put on that green jersey. 

Allen Drops 51 on the Bulls in 3OT

Allen put together one of his finest performances in the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls, posting an incredible 18-of-32 shooting night that landed him 51 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. He not only produced at a high level for the entire game but he connected on the shot that would send the C's into triple overtime against the Bulls. 

In the victory over Chicago, Allen also connected on 9-of-18 shots from downtown and 6-of-7 free throws. He was all-around unstoppable, and it will forever stand as a reminder of the cold-blooded shooter that Allen can be.

It stands out as one of the greatest moments in his career as a Celtic and one of the most impressive offensive performances of his career. 

NBA Finals: 8 Three-Pointers Against L.A. Lakers

Ray Allen has always been an incredible three-point shooting threat due to his strong routine that leads to every shot being a near-mirror reflection of the other.

However, during Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals, Allen was absolutely lights-out from downtown, connecting on 8-of-11 three-point shots and breaking the Finals' three-point record. He finished the game with a solid 11-of-20 shooting, scoring 32 points to get the win and get the C's another step closer to an NBA championship.

The only drawback from this moment is Boston went on to lose Game 7 against the Lakers, falling one game short of capturing its second NBA title. However, Game 2 will always be remembered as Allen's night, a veteran shooting guard using one of the best shooting strokes in the game to get the win.

It was the most impressive three-point shooting display I have ever seen in an NBA Finals game. 

Ray Allen and the Boston Celtics Are the 2008 NBA World Champions

The Boston Celtics hadn't won a championship since 1986, but as the seconds waned off the clock in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, their time had finally come.

Five: All the hard work and determination to get to this moment.

Four: The sacrifices made to perfect an art.

Three: Every second spent in a gym instead of at home.

Two: Moving away from everything he had known.

One: Working hard with his teammates to become a family in Boston.

Zero: The moment all NBA players dream of. 

The Boston Celtics were the 2008 NBA champions. Everything that Allen had been through in his career was justified as the confetti fell from the rafters,—the same rafters that held 16 championship banners—and Allen had finally added his own to the Garden. He was a key component to the Celtics Big Three of Allen, Garnett and Pierce winning their first-ever championship ring together. 

Allen put together a strong playoff performance, averaging 15.6 points per game on 42.8 percent shooting as well as 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. In Game 6, Allen scored 26 points and connected on seven of his three-point shots to secure the C's the championship they were after.

Allen will be greatly remembered for the championship that he helped the team win and the Boston Celtics' return to relevance that the Big Three orchestrated. 

Ray Allen Becomes the New, All-Time Three-Point Record-Holder

The tension in the TD Garden was incredible; every time Ray Allen touched the ball, fans were on the edge of their seats ready to explode.

As Rajon Rondo dribbled the ball up the court, it was clear that he was looking for Allen, and just like that, the ball was out of his hands and soaring toward No. 20.

The crowd quickly took to their feet, and in typical fashion, Allen took two steps and let the ball go soaring through the air. 

Even for the fans, time seemed to stand still as the ball floated through the air, and suddenly the 2,561st career three-point shot fell through the net. The crowd erupted, Allen clenched his fists, clapped in his humble way and the game no longer mattered.

Fans stood clapping, waiting for a pause in the game, and finally a timeout came to give Allen the moment he deserved in order to celebrate his greatest accomplishment with everyone there. 

Allen had earned his crown as the three-point king, and no one could deny that he was the greatest three-point shooter the league has ever seen. The emotion Allen and the fans showed made the historic night that was 15 years in the making even more unique.

It was an incredible day, and for those of us lucky enough to have seen it, it was a moment that will never be forgotten.