Ray Allen considering retirement this summer: "it depends on how my body feels"

During an interview with the media yesterday before the Spurs' blow-out victory over the Miami Heat, Ray Allen was asked about whether retirement was an option at the end of this season. Allen, who will be a free agent, responded that it was something to consider.

From the Boston Globe:

Allen is a free agent-to-be and will turn 39 next month. And while it appears he has plenty left in his finely tuned body, the guard said retirement is an option. He would likely receive his share of offers this summer.

“I guess everything [is factored into the decision],” he said Thursday before the Heat lost to the Spurs, 107-86, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. “You get away from it, you sit down and get an opportunity to think about it. It depends on how my body feels. I love the condition I’ve been in over the last couple of years. It’s just a natural progression.”

Allen said he has enjoyed playing with considerably younger players, downplaying the generation gap.

“I don’t look at this as an age thing for me, it’s never been an age thing,” said Allen, who was averaging 9.6 points in the playoffs entering Game 4. “I always laugh because I see the birthdates of the some of the younger guys. They’re born in the ’90s. In the ’90s! I was kicking it hard in the ’90s.

Considering that Allen is a bit OCD about staying fit, I don't think his conditioning is an issue. I think Ray has another year of gas in his tank, and could help many teams with his sharp shooting off the bench. He demonstrated some playoffs heroics in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers, and every now and then he throws in some surprises, such as dunking like it's 2004. And do I even need to mention Ray Allen saving the Heat in last year's finals?


The season could likely be over after one more game, and I just don't see Allen calling it quits, especially if it's another blowout victory for the Spurs. We also heard the retirement talk last season from Ray, and it didn't materialize. While Allen might not be the player he once was, that doesn't mean that he can't be an effective role player, whether it be for Miami or another NBA team.

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