For Now, Ray Allen Focused On Titles, Not Contracts

Two years ago, Ray Allen and the Celtics were living every moment of their championship season through the African phrase ubuntu, which translates to collective success over individual achievement.

This year, Allen appears to be living by a phrase of Latin descent: carpe diem.

As he enters the final year of his contract, the UConn alum and 13-year veteran is living in the moment and isn't going to let contract talks get in the way of the ultimate goal: another title.

"I have a job to do. I’m not going to go and feel disgruntled about not having an extension. That’s going to take care of itself in due time," Allen told the Boston Herald. "I think in the meantime, I think it’s important we focus on winning a championship here. The day’s going to come when decisions have to be made. I think if I have my foot halfway in and halfway out, I can’t focus on getting better and being the best player I can possibly be. When that decision day comes, I don’t want to look back on the year and think I spent time worrying about this. If my team and I take care of business, the pot is big for everybody.”

The smooth-shooting third member of the Big Three is leaving the contract talks up to his agent while he focuses on playing hoops. He doesn't want to let any off-court issues affect his time on the court, which he understands is dwindling as his age goes up.

“I have an agent, and he has a relationship with the management, with Danny [Ainge], with the Celtic ownership," Allen told the Herald. "They’ll take care of that business. If I need to know anything, I’ll be alerted. There’s a time and a place for that. But I think the people in my camp understand that in order for me to be the best at what I need to do out here for my job, I can’t have stresses. I can’t be frustrated. I can’t be focused on things other than playing basketball.”

The 34-year-old guard has expressed interest in returning to Boston beyond this season, his third in green and white. In his first year, Allen helped bring a 17th title to Boston, and last year, he was pivotal in taking the C's all the way to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Besides the success on the court, Allen has grown close to the city of Boston and its inhabitants.

“Definitely, that would be the ideal situation for me,” Allen said. “I know what it’s like to live in two other NBA cities [Seattle and Milwaukee]. I don’t want to know what it’s like to live in any more. Obviously, it would be my preference to finish my career here as a Celtic. Hopefully, we raise one or two more banners in my time. Three, if possible. I would love it. That would be great.

“Boston is a great sports town,” he continued. “It’s a town that [remembers its athletes] forever. You’re imprinted on the lives of the people. To be able to still do things in the community once you’ve finished playing is great. Tedy Bruschi won’t have any problem doing that. I see Cam Neely, and I’ve played golf with him a couple of times. He still has a presence in the Boston area. You know, it’s wonderful to be able to raise your kids up in an environment where you still have an impact philanthropically.”