Milwaukee Bucks: Ray Allen enshrined in Hall of Fame

Ray Allen became the latest Milwaukee Bucks player to be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as he took to the stage in Springfield on Friday night.

As the latest batch of inductees were enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA, on Friday evening, one of the greatest Milwaukee Bucks players of recent years was among those to take his place in the hallowed halls.

Ray Allen is still fondly remembered by Bucks fans from the close to seven seasons he spent with the team upon entering the NBA, as he is also held in high esteem by fans around the league considering his exploits from stops in Seattle, Boston and Miami.

Overall, Allen compiled a glittering 18-year career in the NBA, following on from what was already a successful college career with the UConn Huskies.

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Not only is Allen a two-time NBA champion thanks to his successes in Boston and Miami, but he also was a 10-time All-Star, two-time Big-East Player of the Year, First Team All-American and an NBA Three-Point Shootout champion, to name just a few of the accolades from his illustrious career.

Allen finished his NBA career with averages of 18.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game, on 40 percent shooting from three-point range, while for his 494 games as a Buck his averages came out at an even more impressive 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, on 40.6 percent shooting from deep.

Of course, to this day Allen stands as the NBA’s all-time leader in made three-point field goals, sealing a legacy that leaves many to view him as the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. Acknowledging that fact, Allen opted to be presented for his Hall of Fame enshrinement by Reggie Miller, the man who he believes actually deserves that distinction.

In a wide-ranging speech which saw Allen speak eloquently about his formative years as a player, his time under Jim Calhoun in Connecticut, his various NBA stops, and the influence of his family on his career, there were more than a couple of allusions from the California native to his time with the Bucks.

Reflecting on his journey to the Hall of Fame, Allen took a moment to single out key teammates, and a coach, from his time in Milwaukee who helped him to improve and grow as a player.

"“From the University of Connecticut, I moved on to be drafted No. 5 in the NBA Draft. And my first stop was Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I spent six-and-a-half great years. I had incredible teammates there in Glenn Robinson, Vin Baker, Sam Cassell, Tim Thomas, Michael Redd, to name a few, and Chris Ford was my coach. I had some incredible individuals that taught me how to play the game of basketball.”"

Unsurprisingly, one figure from Allen’s time with the Bucks who didn’t receive a mention was George Karl. Allen’s time with the Bucks famously came to an end in a nightmare trade for Milwaukee of Karl’s creation, while Allen has since alluded to frequently being told that his former coach didn’t like him.

"“It’s been an amazing ride, and at this moment, I want to just say thank you to everyone that’s been a part of it. I learned everything I know just from watching the guys that I played alongside in every city. I want to thank all the coaches that I’ve had in my NBA career. There’s so many to name, and I’ve had a couple of coaches that got fired, but we still love them as well.”"

At one point, Allen went on to name check a large number of the head coaches and assistants who helped him throughout his NBA tenure, yet coming short of mentioning Karl, Allen somewhat understandably referred to there being “so many to name”.

Outside of the Bucks as a team and organization, Allen reserved a special mention and thanks for the city and people of Milwaukee among the places that embraced him throughout his career.

"“I want to thank the cities that have taken me in and allowed me and my family to be a part of their community: Storrs, Connecticut, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Seattle, Washington, Boston, Massachusetts, and Miami, Florida.I loved every place that I lived and I met some incredible people in each of these cities that will be family for life. My only regret is that I had to leave, but I want you to know that you will always be a part of my heart and my family, and I’ll always be a part of your communities.”"

On the whole, Allen took special care in his speech to highlight the importance of hard work, and to share his gratitude for what the game of basketball has provided him with.

"“I tell every young person that the orange ball is truly magical. The things it’s done for me, the people it’s allowed me to meet, the places that I’ve been able to travel to, the world its exposed me to, the things I could never have imagined.”"

After a lengthy career of producing incredible moments and memories for so many fans throughout the U.S. and beyond, there’s no doubting that in landing in the Hall of Fame, Ray Allen has ended up exactly where he belongs.