LeBron James knows the real Ray Allen. And though the real Ray Allen used mostly his jumper to help King James claim one of his NBA crowns in Miami (2013), LeBron didn’t just start to know Allen’s game when he joined the Miami Heat late in his career. To understand the greatness of Ray Allen, what needs to be understood is the remarkable skill set required to be a great jump shooter in the NBA — not so much because it’s hard to knock down shots, but because it’s so hard to get good shots off. You need to be a superior athlete to get open in an offensive set in the NBA — extraordinary. And athletes at that level have crazy hops too, as Allen demonstrates in the 19 dunk video below. Demonstrates over and over.
The thing about Allen is that because he was such an excellent long range marksman, that skill often overshadowed his sheer elite athleticism, his tremendous court sense and handle, and his ability to get to the rim. But Jesus Shuttlesworth — who Allen indelibly portrayed in Spike Lee’s He Got Game (see above)– could do it all. As James tells the youngins, recognize. Ten-time NBA All-Star Ray Allen is a future Hall of Famer. The King knows. He saw Allen go to work.
A MONSTER!!!!!! Jesus Shuttlesworth at his finest. Young boys recognize https://t.co/JdXdiuyi7S
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 21, 2017
