To celebrate the the recent news of Ray Allen‘s retirement, here are the Top 10 plays of his illustrious 19-year career. See you in the Hall of Fame, Ray-Ray.
No. 10: Ray Allen's up-and-under over Pau Gasol during the 2008 NBA Finals showed the doubters that he still had the athleticism he showcased in his days with the Milwaukee Bucks and Seattle SuperSonics. Can you say hangtime?
No. 9: If I told you there was a dunk highlight reel between Ray Allen and Tracy McGrady, would you have guessed that Allen was the one doing the dunking? The former Bucks star drove hard past Darrell Armstrong and met McGrady at the rim, only to slam it right on his grill.
No. 8: This buzzer beater against the Toronto Raptors in overtime is as vintage as it gets. Find your corner, find the line and let it fly. Allen was so lethal that the slightest mistake on defense could result in a loss, and there you have it. Hat tip to KG for that big-o screen.
No. 7: Ray-Ray's first game as a member of the Boston Celtics had a story-like finish, as he bailed out Paul Pierce with a cool three from the left wing. His shot would seal an 87-85 win comeback win over the New York Knicks and send the TD Garden into a frenzy.
No. 6: Another glorious corner treat from Allen, this time in a double overtime win against the now-defunct Charlotte Bobcats. Gerald Wallace reached and failed to stay home on the all-time best three-point shooter, who made them pay as the ball swished through the net.
No. 5: A rare four-point play done the Ray Allen way. LeBron James drove hard to the paint, commanding a double team and kicking out to Allen in the corner, causing Corey Brewer to jump into him as he drained the shot. No leg kick. Just straight up and down. Vintage Ray Allen.
No. 4: One of the most infamous buzzer beaters of his career. In a game against Steve Nash‘s run-and-gun Phoenix Suns, a second overtime saw the game knotted at 149, only to find Allen open by the logo, as he takes as step in and drains the long three as the clock winds down.
No. 3: Another gem against the Bobcats. With the Celtics down by two, Allen catches the ball high on the wing and lets go of a three-pointer that was contested late. The result? Nothing but the bottom of the net and a 96-95 Boston win.
No. 2: The man had a thing for getting up for the Eastern Conference rivalries, especially against the Chicago Bulls during the 2009 playoffs, when he masterfully ran between screens to take a heavily contested three against Joakim Noah, hitting a dagger to the delight of the crowd.
No. 1: Undoubtedly his biggest shot. Amongst the rebounding chaos, Allen backpedals into the right corner and lets go of a clutch three over Tony Parker, tying the game and forcing overtime, in a Game 6 which the Heat would eventually win, keeping their championship hopes alive.
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