Every GOAT debate ignites passionate discussions among players, fans, and analysts alike. In the three-point shooting category, Ray Allen and Reggie Miller are two names that always come to mind.
For former Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Rose , Allen may have surpassed Miller on the all-time career three-point shots made, but between the two, "Uncle Reg" will always be his pick.
"Right behind Reggie," Rose told GQ in 2015 when talking about the greatest three-point shooters of all time. "Ray-Ray, right in the mix. He's next. He's right there. If I played with him 6 years, I'd probably swap him with Reggie. But I didn't. If he was my older brother, I'd probably swap him. But he ain't. Ray's right there, but I gotta give my guy Reggie the nod."
Jalen categorized the 3-point shooting GOATs
Allen no longer holds the record for most career three-point shots made, as Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry had already claimed the title in 2022. On the other hand, Miller is down to No. 5 on the all-time list.
Rankings-wise, Curry is undoubtedly the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history. While Rose doesn't disagree with that, he has his own way of determining who's who in that realm.
According to Jalen, people can't just hail one three-point shooting GOAT. For him, it has to be properly categorized based on the different types of in-game three-point shots.
"Well, here's the deal. Let me squash a couple things. The greatest set shooter ever? Larry Joe Bird. Period. The best coming off screen? Reginald Miller. And the best off the dribble? Steph Curry. There is no gray for me," Rose explained.
Related: Mike Krzyzewski discusses Jordan, Bird, and Magic playing together on the Dream Team: "I'll take those three guys to start any team"
Ray wanted to be like Reggie
Allen has often spoken about the profound impact Michael Jordan had on his career. But while he idolized Jordan growing up, Ray-Ray interestingly once admitted to wanting to emulate Miller for his competitive spirit and relentlessness in scoring.
"He's had so many great moments in his career that I watched, so I was always competitive with it. As a player coming in, I just said, 'Man, this is a guy that I somewhat want to be like,'" Allen once told The Athletic of Miller.
In all fairness to Rose's take, he made a good point, as Miller and Allen have different playing styles. However, both were clutch and automatic from beyond the arc.
Indeed, barring the number of three-point shots made, it's really difficult to tell who's better between Ray-Ray and "Uncle Reg." Perhaps Rose is correct, as it will all boil down to which player had more impact on the person picking.
Related: "Either he was drunk, or something else was clouding his judgment" - Reggie Miller on Jalen Rose and his negative comments about him
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