The Astonishing Ray Allen

". . .until the 12th  of never, and that's a long, long time."

Johnny Mathis

The Astonishing Ray Allen looks like, at this point in the NBA season, he could play NBA ball at a very high level until the 12th of Never (. . . and that's a long, long time.)  That's just fine with me because there's nothing prettier in the NBA, in my opinion, then Ray curling off a pick, receiving a pass in the corner, and his catch and shoot -- and swish --  a real thing of beauty. 

Ray, who turned 36 years of age this year and is in his 15th NBA season, averages 20.4 points per game for the Celtics while shooting an astounding 63.4% from beyond the arc (that's way out there in 3-point land) a bit more than head and shoulders above the rest of the league's genuine 3-point shooters.  Ray lobs them in the basket from the floor at a  57.5%, so far, and 86% from the line.

Ray Allen floats through the lane.

Of course time, gravity, and the aging process will catch up to Ray eventually, as it does all men, but I can see Ray playing until the age of 40, barring any serious injuries.  It might be wishful thinking on my part and a long shot, but Id like to see Ray Allen retire a Celtic.

One thing that surprises me though (and Tommy has to bite his tongue on this during the game broadcasts sometimes) is Ray's propensity to throw the cross-court pass that gets intercepted for a turn-over and turned into points for the opposing team.  C'mon Ray!  They taught you that the cross-court pass is a no-no way back in elementary school.  Especially one lobbed with no mustard on it that floats into someone else's hands.

But Ray is not alone in being a turnover machine this season:  Ray averages 2.3 TOs per game while Paul averages 2.6, KG 2, and Rondo 4.1.  By my math that's over 10 turnovers per game from our stars.

We got to do better than that. Guys.  Several of our losses can be pinned on turnovers, and you can't expect to win too many game turning it over at that pace. Tighten it up, Men.

But Ray's smart enough to be able improve on the turnovers and the A/TO ratio.

Until then, I'll accept the 2.3 turnovers per game as long as Ray's hitting 63% from the corners, the top of the key, and the elbows, way out there beyond the arc. 

The Astonishing Ray Allen.