As one of the greatest to shoot the rock in the history of the NBA, Hall of Fame Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen knows a thing or two about the sort of excellence that sets great players apart from the very, very good ones on his way toward winning titles with the Celtics and the Miami Heat.
And the University of Connecticut alum recently used that discernment to share the players who comprise his all-time starting five, even throwing in his sixth man for good measure while speaking at a meet-and-greet attended by Fadeaway World’s Ishaan Bhattacharya (h/t Bleacher Report’s Doric Sam).
Let’s take a look at the Shuttlesworth Six, as we have decided to call them.
Michael Jordan
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (Rear) guard for the Chicago Bulls slam dunks the ball over Milwaukee Bucks guard Ray Allen during the first quarter January 02 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. AFP PHOTO/VINCENT LAFORET (Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images)
Magic Johnson
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson (32) reacts as Boston Celtics guard Dennis Johnson points at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports
Larry Bird
Jan 17, 1990; Orlando, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird (33) against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Shaquille O’Neal
December 22, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (20), forward Kevin Garnett (5), center Shaquille ONeal (36), and guard Nate Robinson (4) get back on defense during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Hakeem Olajuwon
Milwaukee Bucks’ Ray Allen gets by Houston Rockets’ Hakeem Olajuwon for a layup in the first quarter Tuesday, March 24, 1998, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
LeBron James
June 1, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen (20) works the ball past Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire