With the Seattle Supersonics first playoff game versus the Kings tonight, Ray Allen is focused only on advancing the Sonics to the second round and beyond.

"I feel vindication after having been sent away from Milwaukee and being able to come here and help this team be successful and win," Allen said yesterday, the eve of the Sonics' Western Conference first-round series opener against Sacramento. "Where this team was, it was somewhat in a downward spiral. But we rebuilt it in the last year and half, and we're in a good place now."

When contract talks do come up, Allen still remains unsure of his future in Seattle.

"I know I'll still get judged, but I feel like I have done enough to guarantee some type of position in free agency on any team next year."

"I've hopefully solidified what I can do and I can carry a team to the playoffs. To win now is the most important thing. Whatever happens with this contract, hopefully they know what they are going to do already and what direction we are going to move in so we'll be good over the next couple of years to come."

Ray Allen ? Playing for a contract or just playing to win?  You be the judge.