By JessicaCamerato
CSNNE.com
BOSTON -- Last week Ray Allen broke the record for most 3-pointers made in NBA history. This weekend, he will compete for another title in the Three-Point Shootout.
It may have been 10 years since Allen won the contest, but hes ready to compete in 2011. After making over 2,500 shots in his career, he is taking a laidback approach to the competition.
Dont be fooled, though, this All-Star is in it to win it on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Friendly Competition
They may be all about helping one another on the Celtics, but its every man for himself as Allen battles teammates and defending champion, Paul Pierce.
Paul has been talking all day today, all day yesterday. He was out there when I was shooting -- he brought the rack out. I told him, 'Ive been there, done that,'he said. I know if you ask Paul, hell tell you that when I won, it was 10 years ago and everythings changed since then. So Im the dinosaur in the game, I dont stand a chance, I dont know the formula now since he just won last year.
Like Second Nature
The setting may be different with the fanfare of All-Star Weekend all around him, but Allen is approaching this competition like he does any other game.
Boston Celtics
Ill practice before and that day, but I try not to put too much emphasis on it," he said. You just go out there and do what you know youre capable of doing . . . I do this in my sleep. Literally, I was thinking about it last night, shooting the basketball.
Banking the Money Balls
Allen doesnt see that many differences between shooting in a game setting and the contest, although there that contestants have to adapt to.
I guess the only difference is the balls, depending on what the balls do, he said. Especially the money ball, the money balls a little stickier so it can hit the rim wrong and it wont go in or bounce out. When you get to the money ball, you have to make sure the ball doesnt stick on your hands, but just shooting is no different. Its all about making a couple in a row and just sticking with your rhythm.
Work for Every Basket
Even though Allen is the record-holder and Pierce is the defending champion, he is not overlooking his competition in Kevin Durant, James Jones, Daniel Gibson, and Dorell Wright.
Its not like because I just had the three-point record or Paul won last year, doesnt mean were guaranteed to win it, he said. Weve proven that we can win on that stage, but between those guys, if guys pretty much have ice in their veins, they can knock down shots on the big stage.
Jessica Camerato is on Twitter athttp:twitter.comjcameratoNBA