After weeks of anticipation, the Boston faithful erupted with 1:48 left in the first quarter to celebrate Ray Allen’s record-breaking three-pointer. Amidst the roar it was difficult to ignore how perfect of a night last Thursday was for this incredible achievement to transpire.
It was a night that all the stars seemed to be aligned. It was a game in Boston, before the home crowd, where it could be sincerely appreciated and admired. The TNT network was televising the game, which meant that Reggie Miller, who held the previous all-time three-point record, was a part of the broadcast team analyzing the event. All of Ray Allen’s family was able to attend and watch this historic shot and share in the emotional celebration that ensued.
Every single detail contributed to the magical nature of the evening; right down to shoes that Allen had on his feet. Prior to the game, it was announced that he would be wearing a specialized pair of shoes, specifically designed to commemorate his triumphant trey. Following the game, the shoes would make their way to Springfield, MA to adorn a memorial tribute that would be erected for his outstanding accomplishment.
It was an awesome scene in the TD Banknorth Garden when Allen, in a rare display of on-the-court emotion, exuberantly pumped his fists and released an exhilarating scream as he ran back across half court after draining his third three-point field goal of the opening quarter.
In a brilliant show of humiliation and class, which has defined Ray Allen’s career, he ran over to Reggie Miller to shake his hand and pay his respect to the man he had just replaced in the record books. The handshake led to an embrace, which was immediately followed by the same act with each of his family members among the jubilantly rowdy crowd.
He was able to accomplish this feat in 1,074 games. It was the 2,561st made three-point field goal of his illustrious career. For the sake of comparison, it took Reggie Miller 1,389 games to amass the previous record; an astonishing 315 games less! That translates into almost four whole seasons less of games to make the same number of threes.
Unfortunately for the Celtics, they needed a couple more patented daggers from downtown, as they were unable to capitalize on the early momentum generated by Allen’s feat, and the Lakers ended up winning the game by six.
The list of injuries eventually proved to be too difficult to overcome, as the Celtics were only able to dress nine players for the rematch with their hated rivals from L.A. There was no Shaq, no Marquis Daniels, no Semih Erden, no Jermaine O’Neal, no Delonte West and, more noticeable, no more hair on Nate Robinson’s head (a massively disappointing sight for all of us Celtic fans who were anxiously awaiting the highly anticipated return of the high top fade)!
An interesting side note in the game, it appears that Pau Gasol cannot seem to complete a Celtics/Lakers contest these days without sending a player to the locker room with a massive gash to the forehead. Luckily, this time he afflicted the wound on own teammate, Lamar Odom, who suffered the same fate as Kevin Garnett, and was forced to play the remainder of the game sporting a colossal bandage to conceal the laceration. For all of us keeping score at home, that’s Pau Gasol: 2, KG’s and Lamar’s foreheads’: 0.
Despite the disappointing outcome for the team, Ray Allen’s personal achievement should not be overshadowed by the loss. His contributions to the game extend far beyond the basketball court. He is truly an ambassador to the game that he plays and loves.
His legacy as one of the most deadly and accurate sharp shooters in NBA history was further cemented Thursday night, and, although Boston fans may have left the game disappointed with the result, we should all feel privileged that we were able to witness such a special player reach such a special milestone. Consider yourselves lucky, and realize that with each subsequent three-pointer, we’re witnessing the authorization of a new history.
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