The year was 2007, and the Boston Celtics had not won a championship since 1986. On June 28, the 2007 NBA Draft took place at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, and Celtics history would change forever. Fewer than 360 days later, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett were holding up the 2008 NBA championship trophy along with head coach Doc Rivers as well as role players Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, James Posey, and Leon Powe.
The Celtics, who received 17.4 points per game as well as 2.5 makes from 3-point land from Allen during the regular season, won a whopping 66 contests during the 2007-08 season. It was by far the best record in the Eastern Conference, as Boston went from 58 losses the previous season to the league’s best record. Then, The Celtics finally ended their longest title drought in franchise history after winning the NBA Finals in six games against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Then in 2013, Ray Allen played for the defending champion Miami Heat. He is responsible for arguably the most clutch shot in NBA history, as his end-of-four-quarter 3-pointer from the corner tied Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs with 5.2 seconds remaining. Miami was trailing the series, 3-2, at the time. Allen would score four points in the overtime en route to the Heat’s 103-100 comeback victory. The Heat would go on to repeat as champions, delivering Allen the second and final ring of his NBA career. He would play just one more NBA season before finishing his Hall of Fame career.
Ray Allen – College Career with the UConn Huskies
Walter Ray Allen Jr., who grew up as a military child, played high school basketball in South Carolina. Allen played college basketball for the University of Connecticut as his home for what would end up being three years of college basketball as a Huskie.
He was the 1996 Big East Player of the Year and the 1995 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year as well as a consensus First-Team All-American, two-time First-Team All-Big East, and had his No. 34 retired by the Huskies. He had a very strong college career, leading him to be selected fifth overall in the 1996 NBA Draft.
Ray Allen – Milwaukee Bucks
Although the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Ray Allen, they traded him during the draft as a part of a package for Stephon Marbury. So, Marbury went to Minnesota while Allen and center Andrew Lang — who was also a part of the Charles Barkley trade earlier in his career — were dealt to Milwaukee.
In Allen’s first three NBA seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks failed to win a playoff game. After making the 1999 playoffs, the Bucks ultimately lost in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. The following season (1999-2000) included Allen’s first All-Star Game and 22.1 points per game — a new career-high at the time — as well as a couple of playoff victories.
However, Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers proved to be too strong for the Bucks, as they won the decisive Game 5. Then, Allen put together his second of three consecutive all-star seasons in 2000-01, and the Bucks made a splash in the playoffs with series victories against the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets. However, they lost in seven games to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Allen Traded Midseason to Seattle
In 2001-02, the Milwaukee Bucks fell to 41-41 and did not make the postseason. The following year was a so-so year for Milwaukee, as they traded Allen for Gary Payton as a part of a five-player deal. On February 20, 2003, SuperSonics acquired Allen, Ronald Murray, Kevin Ollie, and a first-round pick in 2003 for Payton and Desmond Mason. Unfortunately, the 2002-03 Sonics failed to make the postseason even with a 17-12 record in games that Allen played.
Ray Allen – Seattle SuperSonics
After Ray Allen played more than six and a half seasons in Milwaukee, he played in five different seasons for Seattle. The Seattle SuperSonics were a relatively subpar squad until 2004-05 when they won an impressive 52 games under Nate McMillan. Allen’s 23.9 points per game led the Sonics, which achieved playoff success for the first time with their new star. The Sonics beat the Sacramento Kings in the first round but fell in six games to the San Antonio Spurs. After the season, McMillan would head to Portland, and Allen would have two coaches over the next two seasons. The Sonics failed to win more than 35 games in each of those years.
Allen Traded on Draft Day to Boston
Danny Ainge, the Boston Celtics president of basketball operations, struck gold. He traded for both Ray Allen and Glen “Big Baby” Davis — for Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, and a second-rounder — and then acquired Kevin Garnett just over a month later.
Allen’s career in Seattle finished with a regular-season record of 149-147 with the Sonics. He played in just two postseason series there. It was time for him to move on and join up with his new teammates.
Ray Allen – Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics were ready, and the TD Garden faithful celebrated as Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett dominated the 2007-08 regular season. Allen’s season-high 35 points came at home on January 16, 2008. He delighted the crowd to the tune of 12-of-20 shooting as the Celtics won, 100-90, to win their 31st game of the season. The Celtics were 31-6 at the time, and they then went into the first round as heavy favorites against the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks.
Ray Allen – 2008 NBA Champion
The Celtics shockingly went to seven games in the first round and the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Boston emerged with the series wins and then took down the Detroit Pistons in six games. The Celtics did the same with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
It was a true team effort — like the old Celtics teams with the original big three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. The “new” big three in Boston had done it, with the help of veterans like Sam Cassell — the old teammate of Kevin Garnett — and P.J. Brown. Ray Allen finally had a championship ring.
Boston was ready to compete for more championships, but the team fell short in each of the next few years. An injury to Garnett hurt them in their hopes of a 2009 championship, but in the first round, Ray Allen did dazzle with 51 points, his career-high for a playoff game. Then, the team fell short in the 2010 Finals. Allen played two more seasons with the Celtics, and in 2010-11, he made his final All-Star Game. The year 2011 was also when Allen broke Reggie Miller’s record for the most 3-point field goals made in NBA history.
Ray Allen – Miami Heat
To the chagrin of Celtics fans, the Miami Heat made a very smart move and signed Ray Allen as a free agent in July 2012. Allen had been on the trade block in Boston on multiple occasions and the Heat had a better chance at a title. Jesus Shuttlesworth — we will get to that nickname later — joined LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and the Heat.
Ray Allen – 2013 NBA Champion
LeBron James was the centerpiece of the 2012-13 Miami Heat, who successfully defended their 2012 championship. Fast forward to the NBA Finals, and Allen hit the game-tying 3-pointer in NBA Finals Game 6. He saved the Heat from losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 Finals. Similar to his time in Boston, Allen had a crucial role in winning the championship. He was one of the main reasons that the Heat won the 2013 title.
Allen’s Life off the Basketball Court
During Allen’s NBA career, he impressed people on the big screen. The 1998 sports film He Got Game starred Denzel Washington (as Jake Shuttlesworth) and Allen (as Jesus Shuttlesworth). Allen also has been involved in helping kids by helping with the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA program as the NBA Spokesperson. In addition, his “Ray of Hope” Foundation helped raise money for charities, including the Joslin Foundation, which helps those with diabetes. In 2021, Allen became the director of basketball at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami, Florida.
Ray Allen – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
In 2018, Ray Allen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction. He will have a lasting legacy with the University of Connecticut, the Boston Celtics, and the Miami Heat. Allen had a tremendous career, and he was one of the best shooters of all time.
Ray Allen – Net Worth
Ray Allen is an NBA icon and a ten-time All-Star who currently has an estimated net worth of $100 million. During his 18 seasons in the NBA, Ray made over $187 million, with the majority of his income coming from his time with the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, and Miami Heat.
What is Ray Allen known for?
Ray Allen is widely regarded as one of the best shooters in basketball history. A dedicated routine and strict attention to detail helped Allen become a high-volume scorer during his collegiate career at Connecticut. He was a consensus First Team All-America and Big East Player of the Year. After being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1996, Allen quickly became one of the league’s most productive scorers. He was named to the All-Star team 10 times and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. Throughout his 18-year career, Allen demonstrated an unparalleled work ethic and dedication to his craft. These qualities helped him become one of the greatest shooters in basketball history.
Where’s Ray Allen now?
Ray Allen, one of the NBA’s all-time great shooters, is now a coach at a Miami-area private school. He is using his experience and knowledge to help young players develop their skills. While some may question his coaching ability, there is no doubt that he has the credentials to be a successful coach.
Was Ray Allen good on the Bucks?
Ray Allen was one of the best shooters of his generation. When he came into the league with the Milwaukee Bucks, he quickly became a star. When he was paired with Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell, the Bucks went to the Conference Finals in 2001.
