Ray Allen hasn’t played in the NBA for two seasons and now wants back in. And why? Apparently, because of Stephen Curry.
Here’s what Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe, via CSNNE.com (thanks to ProBasketballTalk for the transcript):
Ray wants to play again. I’m sure about that. I don’t think he particularly enjoys watching Stephen Curry rain 3s and challenge his record and be called the best shooter in the world. I think that bothers him. I know Ray wants to extend his all-time 3-point record.
This is pretty great. I have no idea whether Allen would still be effective at the age of 41, but his reasoning, assuming this is true, is fantastic.
Ray Allen is currently the all-time leader in three-pointers made by a wide margin. He has splashed in 2,973 triples thus far, which is 413 more than his closest rival, Reggie Miller. But Stephen Curry already ranks 19th on the all-time list with 1,593 made triples. Curry also just wrapped an MVP season in which he drilled 402 treys. At this rate, he should end up passing Allen in another four years.
Playing another year, as a 41-year-old reserve, won’t help Allen retain his record for much longer than that. Sure, he’ll be able to eclipse the 3,000 plateau, but that only prolongs the inevitable. Curry is going to break that record. He is going to mash it.
This is a matter of when, not if, and if Ray Allen is truly angling toward an NBA return to extend his lead, it’s because he wants his name to sit atop the three-point ladder for a just a wee bit longer, not because he’s hoping to fend off Curry for good.
