NBA Free Agents 2014: 5 Reasons Ray Allen Should Join San Antonio Spurs
Ray Allen, the NBA's all-time leader in three-pointers made in the regular season and postseason, is still a free agent.
Allen, who has won two NBA championships -- one with the Miami Heat and the other with the Boston Celtics -- has yet to decide on whether or not to return or retire. Most reports indicate he will choose between the Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If Allen does decide to play for a 19th season, he should choose the Spurs for these five reasons:
1. To Win a Championship
The Spurs are, after all, the reigning NBA Champions.
The Western Conference is tough, but the Spurs always find a way to contend with the best. Allen knows quite a bit about joining loaded teams. He joined the Celtics in 2008 to win a title, as well as the Heat in 2011. Joining a revamped Cavaliers team, who finished 33-49 last year, doesn't guarantee anything. But joining a savvy veteran team that's been to the Finals two years in a row and won the last one just might.
2. He Can Get Plenty of Rest
No team in the NBA handles their veteran players like the Spurs.
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are all able to get plenty of rest because of the extreme depth on the roster. Allen, who is 39 years old, won't be asked to do a lot on a team that has so much talent at every position. If Allen were to join the Los Angeles Clippers or Cavaliers, he will have to play a lot more minutes. Allen will also have to play more defense on the Clippers and Cavaliers, as well.
3. Supreme Coaching
Is there any question Gregg Popovich isn't the best coach in the league?
Popovich won his third NBA Coach of Year Award with the Spurs last season, while leading the Spurs to their fifth world title since 1999. Popovich has also won six Western Conference titles. On the other hand, Cavaliers coach David Blatt, who has never coached an NBA game in his life. If you're Allen, this is a no-brainer. The Spurs are where veteran players thrive unlike any other and get plenty of bench resting minutes in the process.
4. The Perfect System
No team hits the three-pointer more effectively and efficiently than the Spurs. Players like Ginobili, Marco Belinelli, Danny Green and others flourish in the Spurs system shooting the long ball. Allen knows a thing or two about hitting three-pointers, and Popovich will use him correctly. Last season, the Spurs led the entire NBA in three-point efficiency, shooting 39.7 from the perimeter as a team.
5. Prove the Doubters Wrong
Allen won both of his championships in a weak Eastern Conference. Joining top five players (at the time) like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James sort of outcasted Allen and his contributions. A lot people don't think Allen can win in a loaded Western Conference. The Spurs have a lot talent, but they don't have a top five player on the roster. Maybe Allen and the Spurs have a chance to silence the doubters together.
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