This highlight reel works on two levels. One is showcasing Ray Allen's passing chops in his most significant role as a creator. He averaged 5.9 assists per game in that 29-game stretch after the Gary Payton trade. The second level is how potent on offense was that Ray Allen + Rashard Lewis + spacing concept the Sonics built! Despite their lack of real playoff success, they had stretches of scary good (and ahead of its time) offense.

Shaq being the opposing big, obviously, plays a part in this. The Sonics were weirdly effective against the Lakers during those years, as Kevin Pelton has pointed out.

One could also sprinkle in some Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant beef here. That would mean me going on too many tangents, though. February 28, 2003.