Having just donated a computer lab to a local school, Ray Allen talks what the Miami Heat organization means to him and more.
Most fans of the game may best associate Ray Allen with his accomplishments via the Boston Celtics. But the 41-year-old still holds the Miami Heat closest to his heart.
Having turned down a two-year, $12 million deal to return to Boston in 2012, the NBA superstar found himself a new home in Miami on a three-year, mid-level exception contract. And although he may have only spent two seasons with the Heat, his run was unforgettable.
Especially a certain three-point playoff shot that ultimately forced a Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs, earning Miami their second title in a row.
It is not just Heat fans that hold onto that moment so dearly though. Allen does too.
In fact, he recently took the time to sign a poster of the historic game-tying three, while visiting the AmericanAirlines Arena.
The guard announced his retirement last November, despite not having played a game since Miami failed to three-peat in 2014. However, he has remained in South Beach, having opened an organic fast-food restaurant and making sure to keep giving back to the community he has fallen in love with.
"“Miami has been good to me. Since I finished playing here, my kids have been in school and they love their school system. Obviously, the weather, you can’t compete with it anywhere in America. But the people have been good to us. We want to make sure we continue to have a presence here from a foundation standpoint. You go around the community and you realize there are a lot of things you can do to help the people and the kids.”"
Which is why he began his Ray of Hope Foundation. Through which he was able to donate a computer lab to Horace Mann Middle School on Thursday.
Allen also took the time to talk about some of the league’s hottest topics, aside from the Celtics publicly shunning him for joining “the competition.” (Yes, five years later and guys like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis are still holding a grudge.)
Instead, he offered some words of advice to Dwyane Wade:
"“One thing I can always say, being a free agent in any situation, you’ve always got to go to your happiness. Because, at the end of the day, whatever that dollar figure is, it does have an impact on your decision, but I think at the end of the day, you have to choose where it is you’re going to be happy and where you think you’ll fit the most.”"
And spoke on head coach Erik Spoelstra.
"“For him to do what he did with the roster he had. He had a lot of guys who were kind of pieced from other places and you’re kind of landing free agents and trying to make it work. To get them all on the same page and push the way they did. When you look at the teams that are playing now, it’s easy to say they’ve got this player and that player. But for what he did, if he made the playoffs it would have been a stamp for him to be coach of the year. Even though he didn’t, they had a hell of a run.”"
Next: Miami Heat player exit review: Hassan Whiteside continues to grow
Allen may no longer be a part of the Heat’s roster, but he will always be family to the franchise. A class act both on, and off of the court.