South Shore, Lake Tahoe, Nev. – Ray Allen is
celebrated as a two-time NBA champion and the all-time leader in 3-point
field goals, but Saturday at the American Century Championship he was
celebrated for turning 38 years old.
The
long-range sharp-shooter and 10-time All-Star struggled in his second
round, making just one birdie and compiling a two-round total of just 15
points in the modified Stableford format that awards points on a
graduated scale for pars or better. But, he smiled and greeted fans
after his round none-the-less.
“The
people out here sang Happy Birthday to me all day long and it was
something that I have never experienced before,” said Allen. “I have
been out here for my birthday before but this crowd was bigger and
larger than ever before.”
The
warm reception, however, only masked the disappointment in his game
that came from being exhausted after a demanding 7-game NBA Championship
Series against the San Antonio Spurs. Allen continued mightily with
clutch 3-pointers again and again.
A
year ago, Allen withdrew after a tiring season with the Boston Celtics,
where he won his first NBA title in 2008. But, he couldn’t stay away in
2013, making this his 10th American Century Championship.
“I’m completely exhausted,” admitted Allen. “But if I’m not with my family, I couldn’t be in a better place.
“I
love playing golf and it’s everything I do when I’m not playing
basketball. It keeps me in tune with my body. I make sure I get rest
when I have that early tee time; it gives me structure, and it’s helped
me improve my basketball game.”
But
in a light moment earlier in the week when the much younger long-range
bomber Stephen Curry pressed Allen for a few insider secrets to his
longevity and accomplishment, Allen told Curry only what he already
knew.
“I
told him just to take care of his body,” said Curry, as he headed off
to yet another scheduled appointment that comes when you win an NBA
title.
The 24th
American Century Championship continues through the weekend with
television coverage by NBC on Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m. (EDT).
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