the three-pointer

On Thursday night, Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics became the all-time record holder for most three-point shots made in the National Basketball Association.

Ray Allen's record is 2,561 three-pointers made (and counting) has come since turning pro in 1996.  For the simple math, Allen has accounted for 7,683 points on three point shots alone (Allen has over 20,000 points scored for his NBA career).

The great part about having a terrific outside shooter such as Ray Allen on your team, is that when Allen is making that long outside shot, someone has to go out and defend it.  When the defense needs to play way out on the perimeter, it can make it easier for Ray's teammates who play closer to the basket to score since they don't need to worry about defenses collapsing on them.  If defenders are out 24 feet away from the basket, it makes it tough for them to simultaneously help in a double team closer to the basket.