Shot of the Century: How Ray Allen changed NBA history

Ray Allen’s three-pointer in Game 6 of NBA Finals

Through the course of his 17-year career, Ray Allen has made a lot of three-pointers. As a matter of fact, he has made more three-pointers than anyone else in NBA history: 2,857 in the regular season, and 352 in the playoffs.

Before Danny Green broke his record this year, Allen also held the record for most three-pointers made in the NBA Finals. And through the course of his career as a 10-time All Star, he had more than his share of memorable games, clutch moments, and big shots.

But he saved arguably his biggest three – and one of the biggest threes in NBA history – for Game 6 2013 Finals.

With less than 18 seconds left in regulation, the Heat were down by three points to the Spurs. The Spurs, leading the series 3-2, were 18 seconds away from their fifth NBA championship.

The Larry O’Brien trophy had already been rolled out to the side and the championship pedestal had already been prepared. With 11 seconds left, LeBron James took and missed a three-pointer that would’ve tied the game. Chris Bosh’s outstretched arms grabbed the rebound and immediately, Bosh found Ray Allen on the right corner. Allen, who had also tried to contest for the rebound, had quickly run backwards behind the three-point line. He took a shot. He made the shot.

With five seconds left, the game was tied and then went into overtime. The Heat won. And then won Game seven two days later to be crowned NBA champions for the second consecutive year.

The NBA Finals were one for the ages, a seven game series between two of the finest teams in basketball featuring the best that the NBA has to offer. It was a series that will be talked about for years, perhaps even decades, as one of the greatest Finals matchups of All Time.

It featured superstars playing at their highest level, veterans turning back the clock, and youngsters breaking into the scene. The best player in basketball – LeBron James – shone above all to be named MVP. One of the greatest players in NBA history – Tim Duncan – fought valiantly till the very end. Tony Parker and Dwyane Wade had big moments, Chris Bosh making the hustle plays, Manu Ginobili suffering the rise and fall of an entire career in a matter of games, and the likes of Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard confidently exploding on the scene.

And of course, there was Ray Allen, too. The series featured two coaching genius – an experienced mastermind like Gregg Popovich and the young prodigy Eric Spoelstra – turning basketball into the most exciting game of chess, ever. It featured the dominance of the three-point shot, featured highlight-reel dunks, overtimes, and tonnes of breathless moments.

And Game 6… Game 6 was the greatest of them all. As we watched, we knew we were witnessing scenes that would be etched in the NBA historical montages forever. The Spurs were one win away from the title and the Heat needed to win Game 6 to survive and force a Game 7. With the stakes so high, the game tipped off on June 18th at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

There was no shortage of heroes, and of villains. 37-year-old Tim Duncan, looking to close the series and win the fifth championship to add to his storied career, dominated the post for 25 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, including scoring 13 in a row at one point for the Spurs. Early in the game, Kawhi Leonard made a poster out of Mike Miller. San Antonio’s offence was efficient as always, but Miami hung around and trailed by just six points at halftime.