Ray Allen announced his retirement on Tuesday. The 41-year old legend played in the NBA for 18 years, was a 10-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion, and is the all-time leader in three-pointers made with 2,973. Players around the league have been reacting to the sharpshooter’s departure, but it holds special significance to Stephen Curry as he now knows exactly what number he needs to pass.
Allen is considered one of the best pure shooters in the game, but Curry has been stepping up and coming for the crown. Curry set an NBA record for three-pointers made in a season with 402, eclipsing the 286 made three-point record he set just the season before. Now he sets his sights on the all-time goal held by Allen.
“To me, he’s the greatest shooter ever because of his longevity,” Curry told ESPN of the future Hall of Famer’s career. “He did it year-to-year and he got up on his shot. That’s what made him different. He was a special player.”
When Curry’s father, Dell Curry, played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1998-99 campaign, Allen would challenge the 10-year-old Curry to shooting contests.
“Those were fun times,” Stephen Curry said.
Last week Curry became the fastest player to knock down 1,600 3-pointers, achieving the mark in 497 games. Allen previously held the record at 693 games. With good health, Curry, at 1,610 treys made, has a legitimate shot at surpassing Allen to become the all-time leader.
It’s on Curry’s radar.
“He gives me something to shoot for,” Curry said to ESPN. “That’s a goal of mine.”
