BIG SHOT

JARRETT ALLEN was immortalized on December 18, not even two minutes into LeBron James’ first game at Barclays Center as a Los Angeles Laker. If you like basketball, you know the play. James caught a pass at the top of the key, made two strong dribbles with his left hand, then blasted his brick-solid body toward the basket with enough speed and force to clap a sonic boom. What happened next felt like reality malfunctioning.

As LeBron reached for the sky with his right arm extended, Allen—the 6-11 (opulent afro not included), 21-year-old starting center on the Brooklyn Nets—bent his knees, thrust his massive right hand into the air, and, nearly a foot away from the basket, cancelled the dunk. This was exquisitely timed electricity, with a degree of difficulty that rivals shoving toothpaste back into a tube while doing jumping jacks.

It enhanced Allen’s visibility and, dare it be said, changed his life. A bashful soul, he submits to this new reality even when it gets a little annoying. Double