Ray Allen suited up Sunday in the TD Garden locker room, preparing to take on the Indiana Pacers. He's also continuing his pursuit of an old Indiana legend.
Allen entered Sunday's contest with 2,497 career 3-point field goals to his name, second only to former Pacer Reggie Miller in NBA history. Miller retired in 2005 with 2,560 treys, meaning he now leads Allen by only 63 — or in other words, a good month or two.
The Celtics' guard is closing in on history, and he knows it.
"I want to have every record," Allen said. "No lie. And I'm sure a lot of guys in this league would. But I think if any player played 25 years in this league, which is unheard of, then there's going to be a couple of records that you're going to break. Longevity is definitely key."
Every year, like clockwork, Allen has cranked out 150-plus trifectas since he came into the league as a rookie out of UConn in 1996. He's prided himself in being more than just a flash in the pan, in withstanding the test of time.
"If you look around the league, in order to do things and be good in this league, it's all about longevity," he said. "We look at players and we judge them over what they've done consistently over a long period of time. That's what it's all about."
Miller played 18 seasons with the Pacers — he was drafted in 1987 out of UCLA, and he played his whole career in Indianapolis. This winter, he's the leading contender for enshrinement in Springfield.
Many of the other leading 3-point shooters in recent years — Peja Stojakovic, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant and Allen's teammate Paul Pierce — have also benefited from long careers.
It holds true in other sports, too.
"I look at Brett Favre," Allen said. "Him having the ability to physically and mentally be prepared to do it and do it at a high level, that's impressive. And not only that, but you've got to be on a team that's conducive to what you bring to the table. That's never something you can determine. A lot of guys are lucky to be able to play for a long period of time."
