I know I am a Boston Celtics fan but I am not that keen on Ray Allen.
I guess it's because he played for the Miami Heat in a time when they were the main rivals of Beantown.
Anyway, it didn't help that there was beef between him and fellow Boston Big Three members Paul Pierce and Kevin F'N Garnett. Rajon Rondo is also in the mix of things as the crazy defense and pass-first-oriented kid brother who sent his older bro into a frenzy.
I don't collect his cards because frankly, this is Ray Allen's third NBA team. If I am going to collect a Hall of Famer's card, it needs to be his rookie card and this is another reason why I don't want to collect his cards.
I just don't like the Milwaukee Bucks jersey.
I like the cartoon deer as well as the uniform worn by Jack Sikma, Sidney Moncrief, and Alvin Robertson back in the 80s. I don't like the purple and green uniforms. Good thing Giannis Antetokounmpo came to the team to change what I see in those unis but I can't really see myself loving the jersey. The uniforms made me care less about Glenn Robinson... and the same can be said with Ray Allen.
But then, Ray Allen had a Panini Hoops SLAM insert. I opened a Hoops fat pack box and I saw this card and I love it. The portrait photo does make him look awesome.
But here's the thing - Allen wore the Seattle Supersonics jersey.
I want this team to return. I believe the starting five of Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Hersey Hawkins, Detlef Schrempf, and Sam Perkins are one of the best starting core to never win an NBA championship. When Payton and Allen swapped allegiances, I thought Allen's jersey is dope. I love the old 80s version but as a same-look upgrade, the Seattle jersey is nice in the eyes. This is why if the NBA wants to expand to 32 teams, I hope they consider Seattle and Las Vegas.
Anyway, I might collect Ray Allen rookie cards now. If you want to collect budget-friendly cards from the 1996 NBA draft class, it's easy to buy Jesus Shuttlesworth cards than Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, or ugh... Kobe Bryant rookie cards. I mean, a Kobe Bryant rookie card is along the 15 to 150-dollar price range. And Kobe rookie cards are on the wrong side of the budget-friendly cards of that era.
Anyway, Ray Allen is one player I am considering collecting but he's going to take a backseat to Tim Duncan, Jason Williams, and Vince Carter.