Editing Ray Allen (section)

===Milwaukee Bucks (1996–2003)===

====1996–1999: early years in Milwaukee====
Allen was drafted by the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] with the fifth pick of the [[1996 NBA draft]]. Immediately after his selection, Allen and [[Andrew Lang (basketball)|Andrew Lang]] were traded to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] for the rights to fourth pick [[Stephon Marbury]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/draft2002/history/history_96draft.html|title=NBA.com: 1996 NBA Draft, First Round|website=www.nba.com|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=June 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627065832/https://www.nba.com/draft2002/history/history_96draft.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 24, 1996, Allen signed a 3-year, $6.2 million contract with the Bucks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nba/miami-heat/ray-allen-2209/transactions/ |title=Ray Allen |website=sportrac.com |access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref> Allen made his NBA debut on November 1, 1996, where he started and played 28 minutes and scored 13 points in a win against fellow rookie [[Allen Iverson]] and the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ballislife.com/allen-iverson-nba-debut/|title=(1996) Allen Iverson & Ray Allen Make Their NBA Debuts Against Each Other|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726005802/http://ballislife.com/allen-iverson-nba-debut/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 12, 1997, Allen put in one of his strongest efforts of the season in a win against the [[Golden State Warriors]], contributing 22 points, 6 assists, 3 steals and a new career high of 9 rebounds. In February 1997, Allen competed in the [[Slam Dunk Contest]] during [[1997 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Weekend]], where he finished fourth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/allstar2002/slamdunk/year_by_year.html|title=NBA.com: Slam Dunk Year-by-Year Results|website=www.nba.com|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219213329/http://www.nba.com/allstar2002/slamdunk/year_by_year.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Continuing his strong rookie season, on March 25, 1997, Allen scored a new career high of 32 points in a loss to the [[Phoenix Suns]]. Allen was named to the [[NBA All-Rookie Second Team]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/awards/all-rookie-team|title=Year-by-year NBA All-Rookie Teams|website=NBA.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27}}</ref>

In the 1997–98 season, Allen played and started all 82 games for the Bucks. In the season opener, he put up 29 points, including 6 three-pointers in a win against the 76ers. On December 20, 1997, Allen set a new career high of 35 points against the [[New York Knicks]]. On the brink of missing the playoffs for the second straight year, on April 18, 1998, the last game of the regular season, Allen tallied a 40-point double-double with 10 rebounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804180MIL.html|title=Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, April 18, 1998|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726005732/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804180MIL.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====1999–2003: building his legacy====
On February 10, 1999, following the [[1998–99 NBA lockout]], Allen signed a six-year, $70.9 million extension with the Bucks, making him the highest paid player in franchise history at that point.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-11-sp-7182-story.html|title=Allen Goes One on One and Gets $70.9 Million|date=1999-02-11|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-06-27|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> The 1998–99 season saw Allen make his first playoff appearance, with the Bucks earning the seventh seed. There they were swept by the [[Indiana Pacers]] in the first round despite Allen averaging 22.3 points per game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bucks-vs-pacers.html|title=1999 NBA Eastern Conference First Round – Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=May 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503045416/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1999-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bucks-vs-pacers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The following season, on January 20, 2000, Allen recorded a career-high 13 assists in a loss to the [[Seattle SuperSonics]]. On February 3, 2000, Allen scored 36 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in a 102–99 win against the [[Utah Jazz]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200002030UTA.html |title=Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz Box Score, February 3, 2000 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref> A month later, Allen played in his first All-Star Game, where he had 14 points in 17 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000.html|title=2000 NBA All-Star Game Box Score|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=October 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004160049/http://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 1999–2000 season, Allen led the Bucks in scoring during the regular and post-season.

On February 7, 2001, Allen recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/allenra02/gamelog/2001/|title=Ray Allen 2000–01 game log|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27}}</ref> A few days later, he participated and won his first [[NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout|3-point shootout]] during [[2001 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Weekend]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200102070BOS.html|title=Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 7, 2001|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731062238/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200102070BOS.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/all-star/three-point-contest|title=NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest Winners|website=NBA.com|access-date=2019-06-27}}</ref> Allen, alongside [[Sam Cassell]] and [[Glenn Robinson]], helped lead the Bucks to the [[2001 NBA Playoffs|Eastern Conference finals]]. Allen recorded a new playoff career high with 41 points in a Game 6 victory over the 76ers, but the Bucks ultimately lost in seven games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2001-nba-eastern-conference-finals-bucks-vs-76ers.html|title=2001 NBA Eastern Conference finals – Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731062202/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2001-nba-eastern-conference-finals-bucks-vs-76ers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106010MIL.html|title=Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, June 1, 2001|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=July 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731183412/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106010MIL.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Allen earned [[All-NBA Third Team]] honors in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/awards/all-nba-team|title=Year-by-year All-NBA Teams|website=NBA.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=August 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805010957/http://www.nba.com/history/awards/all-nba-team|url-status=live}}</ref>