During his college career, Allen quickly became a standout player. In his junior year, he was named the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year and was a consensus first-team All-American. His impressive performance at UConn led him to declare for the NBA Draft in 1996, where he was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where his professional career truly began.
Allen spent the first six and a half seasons of his NBA career with the Bucks. During his tenure in Milwaukee, he developed into one of the league's premier shooting guards. Known for his smooth shooting stroke and ability to score from anywhere on the court, Allen was a consistent offensive threat. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2000 and helped lead the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001, where they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in a hard-fought series.
In 2003, Allen was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, where he continued to excel. His time in Seattle further solidified his reputation as an elite shooter. Allen set numerous franchise records, including most three-pointers made in a season. In 2005, he led the SuperSonics to the Western Conference Semifinals, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His tenure in Seattle was marked by several personal achievements, including multiple All-Star selections and All-NBA Team honors.
The next chapter of Allen's career began in 2007 when he was traded to the Boston Celtics. This move proved to be a turning point, as he joined forces with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to form a formidable trio. The Celtics quickly became one of the top teams in the league, and in 2008, they captured the NBA Championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. Allen's performance in the Finals was instrumental, particularly his record-setting seven three-pointers in Game 6, which helped secure the title for Boston.
Allen's tenure with the Celtics lasted five seasons, during which he continued to be a vital part of the team's success. In 2010, the Celtics made another Finals appearance, once again facing the Lakers, but fell short in a seven-game series. Despite the loss, Allen's legacy in Boston was cemented by his clutch shooting and professionalism.
In 2012, Allen made a surprising move by signing with the Miami Heat. Joining a team led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, Allen added his veteran experience and shooting prowess to an already talented roster. His most memorable moment with the Heat came during the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. In Game 6, with the Heat trailing in the series and facing elimination, Allen hit a game-tying three-pointer with just seconds remaining in regulation. This shot is often regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history, as it helped the Heat win the game in overtime and eventually secure the championship in Game 7.
Allen played two seasons with the Heat, reaching the Finals both times and winning one championship. After the 2013-2014 season, he chose to step away from the game, leaving behind a legacy defined by his remarkable shooting ability and clutch performances.
Throughout his 18-year NBA career, Allen was a ten-time All-Star and finished as the league's all-time leader in three-point field goals made, a record that stood for several years.
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