Boston Celtics' Ray Allen Still Has Plenty Left in the Tank

Ray Allen is in the final year of his current contract with the Boston Celtics, and at age 36, some have speculated that this could be his final season in the NBA.

However, it doesn't seem that Mr. Shuttlesworth is ready to hang 'em up just yet.

After a mildly disappointing campaign in 2009-10 where Allen posted just 16.3 PPG on 36.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc, the shooting guard rebounded in 2010-11 for 16.5 PPG on 44.4 percent from deep.

But his resurgence didn't stop there. Allen also shot an impressive 49.1 percent from the field overall, a new career-high for the veteran of 15 seasons. Additionally, he also set a personal best in terms of turnovers for himself, averaging a new career-low mark of just 1.5 per game.

For a player that makes his living on the perimeter, those are awfully impressive numbers.

Although Allen is on the payroll for just one more season, it would be extraordinarily surprising if he didn't return to the league following its expiration for at least another year.

A player that keeps himself in elite shape, Allen has rarely had to combat the injury bug at any point throughout his Hall of Fame career.

Allen is meticulous in every aspect of his game, and it shows through his performance. According to the player himself (via Boston Globe), he had a borderline case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) growing up, and in somewhat strange fashion, it may have had a strong influence on his shaping as a player.

Basketball has been his entire life, which is why it's rather vexing that he could stand to give it up when he's been doing it for so long.

Despite the success that he's enjoyed throughout his career, Allen has clearly begun thinking about what lies ahead for him after the conclusion of his current deal.

When asked by the Boston Herald if the lockout and potential cancellation of a full season would be harmful to the Celtics chances at reclaiming a championship, Allen offered the following response:

"

When you stop so abruptly—it wouldn’t be anything I would accept. As far as being ready to play another season, I would just be ready. Especially if you get a whole year off. It’s not as if you go into the next year and say I’m done. I’m not going to play anymore. We’re competitors. When you lose a season like that, you come back and you’re ready to get after it. It will fuel our fire, and enable us to go after it a little more next year.

"

It sounds like he's already anxious to get back to work, and with a little bit of reading between the lines, it certainly seems as if he'll be back in 2012-13 no matter what happens during the upcoming season.

If there's one player not to bet against as he battles the inevitable fight against age, it's Ray Allen.