Walter Ray Allen Jr or more famously known as Ray Allen announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons via a conceptual letter he wrote to "The Players Tribune" directed at his 13-year-old self. He retires with 2 championships, 10 all-star nods a 3-point shootout title, among the many achievements under his belt.
"I write this to you today as a 41-year-old man who is retiring from the game," wrote Allen. I write to you as a man who is completely at peace with himself," he added.
Ray Allen unofficially retired after the 2013-14 season and has been involved in talks with several NBA teams since regarding a possible comeback. There were even speculation of him joining the Golden State Warriors which would have made them the best shooting team in league history.
Ray Allen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1996 NBA draft pick as the fifth pick overall. He was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and started his career there where he played behind all stars Glenn Rice and Vin Baker. He then got traded to the Seattle Supersonics where he blossomed into one of the deadliest shooters in the NBA.
In 2008, Ray Allen was traded to the Boston Celtics where he teamed up with Paul "The Truth" Pierce, Kevin Garnett (from the Timberwolves), and Rajon Rondo. That same year, he and the Celtics won a championship against Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2012, Allen was sent to the Miami Heat where he won his second championship with the Big Three LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. In the dying seconds of Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Allen made a clutch 3-pointer that forced a Game 7 between the two teams that the Heat won.
Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors sharpshooter who is already being considered as one of the best shooters in league history despite his young career, thinks of Allen as the greatest shooter ever.
"To me, he's the greatest shooter ever because of his longevity," said Curry. "He did it year-to-year and he got up on his shot. That's what made him different. He was a special player."
Allen joins other sure Hall of Famers, who were drafted in the 1990's, to retire during or prior the start of the 2016-17 NBA season. Before him, Bryant, Garnett, and Tim Duncan have already announced their retirement.
