Last Friday, I made it a point to catch the second of two regular season meetings of storied rivals Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Apart from expecting an engaging fare between last year’s finals protagonists to ride myself into the weekend, I was looking forward to seeing "Jesus" shoot his way to the National Basketball Association record books.
By "Jesus," I am referring of course to Celtics guard and future Hall-of-Famer Ray Allen who now holds the NBA record for most three pointers made all time with 2,562 triples after connecting three trifectas against the Lakers, dislodging previous record-holder and now-retired Reggie Miller (2,560) of the Indiana Pacers.
For the uninitiated, Allen has added "Jesus [Shuttlesworth]" to his many monikers (e.g. "Ray Ray" and "Candy Man") after appearing in the 1998 sports drama movie He Got Game , along with veteran and Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington.
In the movie, which was directed by longtime New York Knicks fan Spike Lee, Allen plays the character of Jesus Shuttlesworth, a talented high school player being recruited heavily by the top colleges in the nation. Washington plays Jesus’ father, Jake Shuttlesworth. Jake is a convicted felon serving time after accidentally killing his wife (Jesus’ mother) when his son was 12 years old. The elder Shuttlesworth is temporarily released from jail by the governor, a weighty alumnus of one of the schools after Jesus’ services, so that he might direct his son to sign with the governor’s college in return for an early release.
Allen drew praises for his performance in the film so much so he has become synonymous to his character and has been fondly referred to as such since then.
And just like Jesus Shuttlesworth, celebrated for his immense talent on the court, this latest achievement of Allen is further testament to the major baller he has become since being drafted fifth overall in the 1996 draft.
In 15 years in the league, Jesus has piled up an impressive CV to make him one of batch ’96’s outstanding alums, along with the likes of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Allen Iverson. Allen is an NBA champion (2008, Celtics), a 10-time All-Star, an Olympic gold medallist (2000) and in the 25 top NBA scorers of all time just to name a few.
But Allen’s biggest rep could well be his being a great shooter, perhaps the best all-time even. In an era where great shooting has seemingly become a lost art, Allen has flourished. Practically from all angles he has connected with much effectivity while throwing in some in the clutch.
And the manner with which he has done so makes for an interesting story as well. A consummate hard worker, Jesus "meticulously and laboriously" worked to be the sweet shooter that he is. His taking thousands of shots every practice and pre-game to establish familiarity and routine is well documented. He has taken care of his body all throughout his career -- playing in 1,074 games -- which afforded him the chance to do what he does best.
In one of his latest interviews, Allen said of his work ethic, "I’m of sound mind and body, two arms and two legs, like millions of other people, but the ones who want it badly enough set themselves apart." And he surely has separated himself. Combining innate talent with the necessary work to hone his skills (not to mention an All-NBA Good Guy as well), Allen is no doubt a total pro. Jesus! We are all witnesses.
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