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Ray Allen has lots to smile about after he helped the Boston Celtics to the NBA title last month. He finished in a tie for 29th with Kenny Lofton and Lucas Black on Sunday at Edgewood Tahoe.
STATELINE - Now introducing, "Ray Allen of the NBA champion Boston Celtics."
That's the gratifying introduction Allen received each time he teed off in the American Century Championship over the weekend in Lake Tahoe.
Since winning his first NBA title last month, Allen said that fans remind him daily of the franchise's first championship in 22 years.
"It's great anywhere out there walking during these past couple of weeks," Allen said. "Sometimes I forget what I'm doing because, yeah, you might see 20,000 in the building, but there's millions of people on the outside who watched us, so anywhere around America I've been, people have been great."
That's the gratifying introduction Allen received each time he teed off in the American Century Championship over the weekend in Lake Tahoe.
Since winning his first NBA title last month, Allen said that fans remind him daily of the franchise's first championship in 22 years.
"It's great anywhere out there walking during these past couple of weeks," Allen said. "Sometimes I forget what I'm doing because, yeah, you might see 20,000 in the building, but there's millions of people on the outside who watched us, so anywhere around America I've been, people have been great."
Allen hasn't had a problem celebrating the Celtics' championship win over the Los Angeles Lakers in a celebrity golf tournament field that included Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, John Elway and Ray Romano.
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For more information, see the official Web site: tahoecelebritygolf.com |
"Now is the time where you get to enjoy the success that we've had, that when you're playing you can't enjoy, because each day is a grind to get to the next day. Here, I can just sit back and revel in it," said Allen, who averaged 17.4 points per game. "This is probably the biggest crowd I've been in front of since Game 6, and to be here and play golf, you get a sense of the enormity of that situation, being able to play on that grand stage and see how many people watched from all over America."
With one title in hand, Allen would like to win another, but realizes that the Celtics' roster won't be identical to last year's.
"You want the same players," he said. "You can't bring the same team back, so everybody needs to get better as players because the NBA changes. People adjust to what we've done, what we've been doing. We want to hold pat, but each individual needs to figure out what they can do in the offseason to get their bodies in better shape, or improve something about their game."
One thing that won't change for the Celtics is the "Big Three." Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will return and attempt to lead Boston to another title.
"It's been great, and we look for many more years together," said Allen, who finished in a tie for 29th.
It was discovered during the NBA finals that Allen's 17-month-old son, Walker, has diabetes. That diagnosis has changed Walker's life, the Allens' parenting and the family's diet.
"As a 17-month-old child, he really doesn't know much of anything that is going on in his life," Allen said. "I think he thinks what is going on is pretty normal, us giving him a needle on a daily basis, so it's definitely made us more aware of him and tending to other smaller things.
"You want the same players," he said. "You can't bring the same team back, so everybody needs to get better as players because the NBA changes. People adjust to what we've done, what we've been doing. We want to hold pat, but each individual needs to figure out what they can do in the offseason to get their bodies in better shape, or improve something about their game."
One thing that won't change for the Celtics is the "Big Three." Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will return and attempt to lead Boston to another title.
"It's been great, and we look for many more years together," said Allen, who finished in a tie for 29th.
It was discovered during the NBA finals that Allen's 17-month-old son, Walker, has diabetes. That diagnosis has changed Walker's life, the Allens' parenting and the family's diet.
"As a 17-month-old child, he really doesn't know much of anything that is going on in his life," Allen said. "I think he thinks what is going on is pretty normal, us giving him a needle on a daily basis, so it's definitely made us more aware of him and tending to other smaller things.
"(For most) children you pretty much give them anything to eat, and for us, we can't do that. It helps us with our other son, and it helps us how we eat. We don't apologize for having to take care of him, or sticking him with a needle, because it's saving his life."
The Celtics' lengthy postseason run has greatly reduced the offseason time Allen has enjoyed in past years while playing for the Sonics and Bucks. He's not complaining, but his body is.
"When you are playing, your body doesn't hurt; it doesn't bother you as much because it's so hyped, so pumped up," Allen said. "Now I walk around and I feel every ache and pain as the adrenaline slows down. I have to let it rest."
Golf is a very integral part of the eight-time All-Star's ability to unwind during the offseason, but the game also serves as a competitive outlet.
"I'm really trying to get into golf mode, and this (tournament) is really jumping it off," he said. "Golf (provides) that competitive fire we need. You get a small bit of activity, but you still can compete."
The Celtics' lengthy postseason run has greatly reduced the offseason time Allen has enjoyed in past years while playing for the Sonics and Bucks. He's not complaining, but his body is.
"When you are playing, your body doesn't hurt; it doesn't bother you as much because it's so hyped, so pumped up," Allen said. "Now I walk around and I feel every ache and pain as the adrenaline slows down. I have to let it rest."
Golf is a very integral part of the eight-time All-Star's ability to unwind during the offseason, but the game also serves as a competitive outlet.
"I'm really trying to get into golf mode, and this (tournament) is really jumping it off," he said. "Golf (provides) that competitive fire we need. You get a small bit of activity, but you still can compete."
