Ray Allen Still Got Game: The Sharpshooter's Place in NBA History
Flashback to June 17th, 2010: Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics had just dropped the series deciding game to the Lakers, a game they led most of the way and watched their hated cross country rivals hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy for a second consecutive year.
As soon as that game concluded, the Celtics would have to begin to address some major concerns regarding their aging roster, mainly whether or not to bring back perennial All-Star Ray Allen.
Allen had a dismal shooting night Game 7 and his 3-14 performance was surely going to be scrutinized by the Boston faithful—not to mention, he was about to be the centerpiece of the offseason for the Celtics, who had added pressure since the balance of powering was shifting in the East with Miami's formation of the "Big Three."
Many teams in today's NBA would have considered casting Allen aside, wondering what a soon-to-be 35-year-old shooting guard with waning skills could contribute.
Not the Celtics.
They decided to bring back the aging swingman for another run at the title and so far, they haven't been disappointed, as this has been somewhat of a career renaissance for Ray Allen.
Allen was always a talented scorer; let's not forget, he finished sixth in the race for the scoring title during the 2006-2007 season, his best year statistically. That all changed the following season, as he was shipped off to Boston in a blockbuster draft day trade.
Ray never had to play second or third fiddle to anyone at any point in his career and now, he was about to be the afterthought of the Celtics' original triumvirate, behind veteran Celtic Paul Pierce and fellow newcomer Kevin Garnett.
This year has been different.
This season has been different—arguably one of Allen's best—as he's posting gaudy statistics in hopes of keeping the Celtics en route to a second title in four years.
He's currently second on the team in points, just behind Pierce at 17.5 per game. He's shooting over 50 percent from the floor this year, thanks in part to an eye popping .467 three point percentage. His rebounding, assist and steals numbers have all remained consistent, with only his free throw percentage declining slightly, yet still remaining one of the league's best.
When Ray Allen came onto the scene in the fall of 1996, he was a highly touted first team All-American known for his slashing ability and his dead to rights accuracy from downtown.
Yet, as time has progressed and age has caught up to him, Allen's game has evolved. He no longer has to shoulder the load, and has become comfortable as the clutch shooting savvy veteran he's become.
He's also one of the most feared when the game is on the line. The last thing any opponent wants to see when up late in a game is Ray Allen coming off a screen and releasing one of the NBA's sweetest strokes.
Allen has a fearlessness most players don't possess and he seemingly never passes up the big shot, as to not let down the team.
He's at a point in his career where stats have taken a backseat to being the consummate teammate, an ambition that has him regarded among the league as one of the most respected players.
Ray Allen has secured his place in NBA history. This season, he was selected to the All-Star Game after last year's absence, only the fifth time he hasn't made it in his 16 year career. He recently eclipsed 22,000 points, putting him in 25th place on the league's all time scoring list, right behind the great Clyde Drexler.
Allen also wrote himself into the record books by passing Reggie Miller in becoming the NBA's all time leader in three point field goals made. He's been a movie star, a ten time All-Star, a three point contest winner and an NBA champion and he undoubtedly has his eyes on a second title.
When the last silky smooth jumper has been drained and the final buzzer of Ray Allen's career has finally gone off, I'm sure we will be able to sit back and comfortably recognize the man once known as Jesus Shuttlesworth as one of the best the game has ever seen.
