Ray Allen and his 3s

For those who follow my Twitter account and keep track of NBA news (yes, all zero of you!), you will know that recently the Boston Celtics' guard Ray Allen has just surpassed Reggie Miller for 'Most 3 point field goals made' mark, with 3 3 pointers made against their match against Lakers.

I'm going to copy a few things from the NBA website, all these are from this link:
How Ray Allen became master of the 3point shot.

Most 3-pointers, NBA history

Player G 3PM 3PA 3P% Reggie Miller 1,389 2,560 6,486 0.395 Ray Allen 1,073 2,559 6,425 0.398 Jason Kidd 1,239 1,752 5,021 0.349 Dale Ellis 1,209 1,719 4,266 0.403 Peja Stojakovic 781 1,719 4,296 0.400 Chauncey Billups 957 1,685 4,315 0.390 Rashard Lewis 899 1,667 4,277 0.390 Jason Terry 929 1,593 4,205 0.379 Glen Rice 1,000 1,559 3,896 0.400 Eddie Jones 954 1,546 4,147 0.373

That was before he broke the record. It's madness! It's like over 800 more than the 3rd ranked person.. and Ray Allen can probably go for a few seasons more.

And if you DO watch Celtics games,  you should know that Allen has one of the best, prettiest, and quickest shooting form the league has ever seen. I saw this shooting camera thing that showed that from the time Allen catches the ball to the time he releases it, barely a second has passed. ONE SECOND average per shot that's freaking fast.

And one thing that most people overlook is the amount of RUNNING he actually does before he gets his shot. Why is he always so open and can get a clear shot? Because he runs. ALOT.

The article I linked above has a nice video that shows the numerous ways which Ray Allen gets his shot - I'm just going to paste it here:

(There's a video in the link I gave, watch that one! Reading the descriptions only no kick must see it :D )

Play 1: In transition

The first priority for any defense is getting back in transition and protecting the basket. But when you're playing the Celtics, you have to find Allen immediately, because if Rondo finds him first, you're in trouble.

Play 2: Simple down-screen

It's a staple of any offense. The wings take their defenders down to the baseline and then run off screens by the big men. And if you can't stick with Allen through one of these, it's going to be a long night.

Play 3: Down-screen flare

Over the course of 14 ½ seasons, Allen has learned how to read his defender pretty well. So when he starts to see his man jump to the top of the screen, he flares to the corner for the open look.
Play 4: Off the dribble
Though most of his threes are assisted, Allen is still dangerous when he puts the ball on the floor. In this play, the Celtics' primary options have been denied, so Allen and Kevin Garnett ad-lib with a simple ball-screen, and when Dwight Howard doesn't contain Allen, he pulls up for another open three.
Play 5: Cross-court screen
Here's where the Celtics get creative. It looks like Allen is going to run off a back-screen from Glen Davis, but instead he heads to the other side of the floor through another screen from Garnett and flares to the corner.
Play 6: Misdirection
More creativity from the Celtics. Allen sets a ball-screen for Rondo, who looks like he's going to get the ball to Shaquille O'Neal in the post. But instead Rondo turns and delivers the ball to Allen, who runs off a double-screen on the weak side.


Damn nice la. I like Play 5 the best you see he actually sprints across the court and Garnett steps up for a second to slow down his defender, and you can see Ray Allen glance down to check if his feet is behind the 3point line, then swoosh. Quick and efficient. :D

There's another nice video that runs through the career of Ray Allen showing how he has been making 3s since the start of his career, and my favourite quote from the video (also on the website)

Ray Allen: "They use the phrase 'The ART of shooting'. What most people don't see is the work put into that shot. THAT's the art of shooting to me. Just consistently shooting, consistently shooting. When the game comes, it's easy, it's second nature."

MY . IDOL. NUFF . SAID.