UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The one thing Ray Allen doesn’t want to do is rush a decision about his playing career and then second-guess himself later. That’s why the former UConn All-American is taking his time, deciding between retirement and his return for a 19th season in the NBA.
Allen is asked about his future all the time now. Such was the case Friday night when he returned to Mohegan Sun Arena for the Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic All-Star game. The guard for the Miami Heat is a free agent. He could return to Miami. He could join LeBron James in Cleveland. He has talked to Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who was Allen’s coach with the Boston Celtics for five seasons.
The only thing that seems certain now is that Allen is in no rush.
“My body is good; I have no complaints with it,” said Allen, 39, who has always kept himself in great physical shape by working out hard and long. “There are a lot of little nicks and bruises here and there. After eighteen years, now it’s at the point where I have to consider other things at the same time.
“I think about it at least once a day. It always comes to the forefront. It’s August now. I don’t want to rush to judgement, come back and then feel I probably shouldn’t have. And then if I don’t come back, maybe then I would feel like I could’ve. I just really would like to take this time, get to September and see how I really feel.”
The greatest 3-point shooter in NBA history and future Hall of Famer seems to be comfortable with that pace. While others want him to make a decision as soon as possible, it’s clear he could return from a physical standpoint. The question seems to be figuring out when is the right time.
Former UConn All-American Ray Allen has played 18 seasons in the NBA (Ken Davis photo)
Allen said he might just wake up one day and know what is right. But there’s no guarantee that will happen. He has no time frame and he hasn’t focused on any team.
“Right now I’m resting on the fact that if I didn’t have to do it any more, I don’t have to and I’d be great and I’d be in a great position,” Allen said. “I’d feel good about it.”
Allen said he is happy that James was able to make a decision he that makes him comfortable and that “he’s happy with it.” The two have grown close during their time as Heat teammates.
“I know him as a man and he’s very sound,” Allen said. “He’s very metered in his thoughts and very mature. I’m happy for him.”
Allen says he talks to James a “couple of times a week.” After losing to San Antonio in the NBA Finals, they vacationed together and Allen never noticed James struggling with his decision.
“We didn’t even talk about it,” Allen said. “Everybody on the team had a decision to make. But we didn’t focus on it. You know, it sucks when you make a decision and you get criticized for it and it’s a decision you had to make for your family moving forward. I told him, ‘Whatever decision you make, I support you.’ ”
Allen remins a huge fan favorite with Husky Nation. He got a standing ovation from the crowd during introductions. One fan who videotaped Allen’s entrance from the locker room through the tunnel, was wearing a Seattle Sonics jersey with “Allen 34” on the back.
Allen said he appreciates the backing from longtime UConn fans and can’t imagine the event not being held every two years.
“It’s always a pleasure to see all the faces and all the guys,” Allen said.
DANIELS HEADED TO AUSTRALIA
Ryan Boatright, who decided to return to UConn for his senior season, was a spectator and got a chance to visit with his former UConn roommate, DeAndre Daniels. The two won’t see each other much in the near future. The Toronto Raptors, who drafted Daniels in the second round, have decided to retain his draft rights but will send him to Australia to get some playing experience.
There had been speculation during summer league play that Daniels would be headed to Europe, where the Raptors could stash him away. According to reports, Daniels will play with the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League, the top league Down Under.
“I’m going for four months, then I’ll come back and be with the Raptors,” Daniels said. “I’m just going to go out there, try to get better and make the most of it.”
PLAYERS TURN OUT FOR CALHOUN
As usual, UConn’s former players made a good showing. It isn’t easy to pull this type of game together and get a good turnout. Here’s the breakdown of the two teams.
Blue Team: Lasan Kromah, Tyler Olander, Murray Williams, Lyman DePriest, John Gwynn, Rod Sellers Nantambu Willingham, Kirk King, Stanley Robinson, Chris Smith, Travis Knight, Taliek Brown, Rashad Anderson, Jeff Adrien, Charlie Villanueva, Jeremy Lamb, and Rudy Gay. Coaches: Ricky Moore, Karl Hobbs, Glen Miller and Dave Leitao.
White Team: Oliver Macklin, Dan Cyrulik, Rudy Johnson, Tony Robertson, Ed Nelson, Craig Austrie, Souleymane Wane, Donny Marshall, Kevin Freeman, Khalid El-Amin, DeAndre Daniels, Scott Burrell, Donyell Marshall, Ben Gordon, Andre Drummond, Kemba Walker, Ray Allen. Coaches: Patrick Sellers, Howie Dickenman, Kevin Ollie, Jim Calhoun.
El-Amin hit the winning shot, just beating the buzzer, as the White defeated the Blue 114-112. Kemba Walker walked away with MVP honors after scoring 21 points.
USA BASKETBALL ADDS GAY TO ROSTER
USA Basketball announced Friday that Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings) has been added to the 2014 USA National Team and 2014-16 USA National Team rosters. Gay was dressed but not cleared to compete in the game Friday. It wasn’t known if that directive came from the Kings or USA Basketball.
The move came after Kevin Durant withdrew from the team Thursday. Gay and the other National Team finalists will resume preparations for the 2014 FIBA World Cup with a camp in Chicago Aug. 14-16.
“I received a call last night indicating that Rudy was available to join the National Team if Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski] and I felt he could help,” managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a release. “We both felt he would be a valuable addition because of his outstanding skills and the fact that he is so familiar with USA Basketball and our national team program.
“Rudy has been an integral member of USA Basketball since 2005 and was a tremendous contributor to our 2010 World Championship team. He has a lot of equity in the USA Basketball National Team.”
Andre Drummond is also on the USA squad.
NOTEBOOK
Tyler Olander, who won national championships in 2011 and 2014 at UConn, said he has signed a deal to play professionally in Lithuania. He said he will head to his new team at the end of the month. . . . Lasan Kromah is headed to play in Hungary. . . . Fans got a special treat during player introductions Friday night. Four players were selected to carry UConn’s NCAA championship trophies onto the floor. Khalid El-Amin carried the 1999 trophy high over his head. The other trophy bearers were: Ben Gordon (2004), Kemba Walker (2011) and DeAndre Daniels (2014). Asked about this year’s championship team, Gordon said, “It was amazing. Every time we win the championship, [each team] has their own special things. I don’t think anybody would have picked Connecticut to win. I saw them in New York at MSG, and seeing the poise that Napier had and the way Coach Ollie was able to instill his will into that team, I realized ‘They might be able to win a championship.’ Thats when it clicked.” Gordon signed a two-year, $9 million contract with Orlando last month after playing just 19 games for Charlotte last season .. . . The crowd of 7,152 was one of the smaller gatherings in the history of the event but the players and coaches were greeted with enthusiasm. The biggest ovations went to Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie and Jim Calhoun. . . . All proceeds from the 16th annual Mohegan Sun/Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic go to the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center. The weekend continues with golf tournaments at Mohegan Sun Saturday and Avon on Monday. . . . Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell and Quinnipiac coach Tom Moore were unable to attend for personal reasons. UConn officials said Pikiell’s father, Joe Pikiell, passed away this week. Thoughts and prayers to the Pikiell family. . . Shabazz Napier also was unable to participate. . . . It was two years ago that Calhoun fractured his hip in an afternoon cycling accident before the charity game. Calhoun poked fun at himself with the media and in addressing the crowd before the game. “I stayed off my bike today to make sure I got here,” he said.
Speak Your Mind