Suffering from OC3?

     

The stage was set.

Home court at the historic Garden.

Bitter rivals.

Nationally televised game.

Current record holder calling the game.

Friends and family sitting courtside while former greats looked on.

A 15-point lead during the second quarter.

Hollywood could not script it better.

“It just seems right, just being in this building, because so many people have followed me and I have so much fan support”, Ray Allen said. “It’s like, what place to be better than in the Garden? So I’m glad that I’m able to be here and have the opportunity”.

History was made as Ray Allen made two 3-pointers to break Reggie Miller’s NBA career record of 2 560 with 1:48 left in the 1^st quarter. It left plenty of time to savour the moment. However, it would not galvanise the Celtics. Despite the lead’s performance, the show could not reach its climax as the Celtics capitulated in the second half to lose to the Lakers 92-86.

You would not be blamed if last night’s game caused nightmares about Game 7 last year. Like Game 7, the Celtics squandered a significant lead and were outrebounded with a depleted roster.

It’s games against the Lakers that cause Ray Allen to suffer from OC3.

“Disappointment is the only emotion”, Allen said when asked how he felt the next morning about the game.

It’s well documented that Allen broke the record for most 3-pointers made in an NBA Finals game when he made 8 3-pointers in Game 2 against the Lakers last year. However, in Game 3, Allen was one miss shy of tying the NBA Finals record of most consecutive missed shots, going 0–13 from the field, including 0–8 from the 3-point line. For the Finals, Allen went without a single 3-point shot in Games 1, 3, 4 and 5. Despite his resolute defence on Kobe Bryant with an injured thigh, many are critical of Allen’s shooting believing it to be the focal reason causing the Celtics’ championship loss.

In a stage where most shooting guards experience a decline in performance, Ray Allen is defying age. This season has seen Allen play at a higher level. His longevity at an elite level is astounding.

At the ripe-young age of 35, is shooting his career-best field-goal percentage of 50.5% with a 3-point rate of 45.9%. Celtics GM Danny Ainge said, “Ray may be better this year then he was two years ago when we won the championship”.

Allen’s methodical and disciplined preparation can be traced back to his military upbringing. "When I was younger I remember I used to have - I grew up in a military base, and so many guys used to say, 'well you need to get stronger' ... breaking down who I was and criticizing everything that I was”, Allen said. "I just, I had a couple people that used to beat up on me all the time and it made me a little bit stronger in the mind and in the body".

His father Master Sergeant Walter Allen taught him about responsibilities and consequences at an early age.

"Now I think about being in this realm of life and everything I do, it has some type of consequence or repercussion behind it”, Allen said. "That's why I'm always aware of what I say, what I do, how I have an effect on my teammates”.

Allen’s meticulous routine is similar to that of a championship-prize boxer. His routine centers on a regimented diet, controlled sleeping pattern and an emphasis on his conditioning to strengthen his body. Moreover, Allen feels a need to take jump shots three hours before each game; that’s every game. Call it symptoms of OC3.

"[My preparation] drives me insane. I'm wrought with anxiety about being ready, about getting my shots in with nobody on the floor but me. Sometimes I get this bad feeling, almost like an itch, and I've got to get rid of it. I've got to get out there and get my shots up so that feeling goes away. It is bothering me right now. Small things are getting to me”.

During games Allen runs around the court through a series of screens as if he has ADHD. In addition to his offensive game, Allen is credited for his defensive effort. Often, Allen has the most difficult defensive assignment.

“People have to understand how long and how hard Ray took this path to get to this record”, Reggie Miller said. “The time in the gym, staying late. That’s what I appreciate about it”.

Ray Allen’s condition of OC3 is instigating his drive towards another championship. He feels the brunt of criticism for the Finals loss against the Lakers. When asked whether breaking the 3-point record against the Lakers makes it any sweeter, Allen paused and smiled before admitting that it does.

Allen is in the final stretch of his career. Rather then letting father-time force him out of the game, Allen is ensuring that he can dictate his own terms. After all the work he has put into the game for himself and his team, it’s the least he deserves.