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Player profile: Ray Allen

Email|Link|Comments (13) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff October 19, 2008 12:51 PM

This is the 6th in a series of profiles for all 16 players on the current Celtics roster. We'll profile at least one player each day leading up to the season opener.

Ray Allen

Ray Allen drives by Jordan Farmar of the Lakers during Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals. (Stan Grossfeld/Globe Staff)

Born: July 20, 1975
Height: 6 feet 5 inches ... Weight: 205
College: Connecticut
Years pro: 12
Acquired: Drafted No.5 by Minnesota in 1996
2008/2009 salary: $17.4 million
Signed through: 2009-2010
Last year's numbers: 17.4 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.7 rpg in 36 minutes

Strengths: Allen is a professional scorer who has averaged over 21 points per game for his NBA career. His jump shot is as smooth as one could possibly dream up (he made almost 40 percent of his three-pointers last season), and he can score on anybody in the league. Allen is a consummate professional, leading his younger teammates by example. He is often the first to arrive at the arena, and he takes great care of his body. Not many players work harder than Allen, and the results show.

Weaknesses: Allen went through several prolonged shooting slumps last season, including a dismal stretch during which he shot 33 percent from the field against Cleveland during the conference semifinals. Allen's defense on Kobe Bryant in last year's NBA Finals was a pleasant surprise, but he's no longer capable of being a lockdown defender for an entire season.

What to expect: As the least lauded of the Big Three, I'm not sure if Allen got quite the credit he deserved last season. Even when he's not making shots, opponents are reluctant to leave him open for even a second. It's an unbelievabe asset for the Celtics to have. Without Paul Pierce's heroics, Allen would have been the frontrunner for Finals MVP (he had 7 threes in the clinching game). And with his son's diabetes under control, the newly betrothed shooting guard has his personal life in order as well. Look for similar, if not better numbers from Allen this year.

Check back tomorrow for another player profile, and give us your expectations for Allen in our comments section.

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13 comments so far...

Ray Ray's only 6'5? Damn.

Posted by Jeff October 19, 08 01:36 PM

I think I saw a post on Boston.com saying Doc plans to run more plays for Ray Ray. That would be pretty sweet. After all, nobody shoots better than he does, and if he gets consistent looks, odds are he won't go through any more shooting slumps.

Posted by Pedro October 19, 08 04:28 PM

only 6'5? i think that fine for a shooting guard. eddie house is 6'1 and he plays the sg as well. i dont thing height becomes an issue if u make up for it with any sort of quickness(which both have). i do think ray is slept on in general by fans though.

Posted by ShootTheJ October 20, 08 12:38 AM

i loveeeeee Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce(especially), and K.G!

Posted by Tyrah Ward October 29, 08 07:34 PM

Someone decided to give you a little credit I see. Love your game! I am happy to hear your baby is well and congrads on the rings. I hope you guys get 2. I am Love'in the Big Three. Keep up the great work.

Posted by deanna November 20, 08 05:49 PM

Ray Allen is one of the best players of all time, one day he will break Reggie Miller record for most 3pointer of all time. He's a good shooter and he can take you to the basket.

My favorite player of all time, Ray Ray.

Posted by kenny December 1, 08 11:27 AM

Ray Allen is my favorite basketball player of all time and i hope he does well like he is now. I hope he gets another ring and i hope the celtics keep him for a couple more years. Ray Allen is my favorite BASKETBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME and i no i said it twice.

Posted by Elliot V. December 10, 08 08:34 PM

Ray Allen is one of the smoothest shooters in recent history ranking up there with Walter Johnson and it is a pleasure to see him play. He moves without the ball and plays with heart. So far this season, it seems that when the bench is in the game, Allen is the one starter who is on the floor, and that says something about his abilities. I agree that he did not get as much credit as he should for the team's success last year, but I suspect that, like Dennis Johnson in the 80's, his teammates realize his value. I expect another stellar season from him this year.

Posted by vcd December 18, 08 07:14 AM

Ur my boy sugar ray

Posted by Kenny December 21, 08 11:41 PM

That was awesome when ray drove past that sasha vujachic guy and then he started hitting the chairs on the bench and actin like a 2 year old

Posted by kenny December 21, 08 11:45 PM

RAY ALLEN IS MY FAVORITE PLAYER ON THE CELTICS TEAM, I'M ALWAYS SAYING TO GIVE THE BALL TO HIM , I LOOK FORWARD OF SEEING WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO ..

Posted by EMMY December 27, 08 10:21 AM

ray allen is a prefect shooter i like him the most in celtics

Posted by gan January 17, 09 05:22 AM

love ray 4ever

Posted by panthersuper January 26, 09 07:05 AM