The best play of Grayson Allen’s young NBA career was borne from his God-given athleticism, and from the fear of hearing the substitution horn in his honor at the next dead-ball.



Let’s explain.



On Wednesday night, the Utah Jazz trounced the Phoenix Suns in a game where Allen came off the bench and scored 14 points. It was a career-high output that lasted all of 48 hours. During the second quarter of that win, Allen got back in transition, met Josh Jackson at the rim and blocked his shot.



But, wait.



There’s more.



The Suns tracked down the loose ball and swung it around the perimeter to a wide open Troy Daniels, one of the better shooters in the league. As he rose for what seemed like an unimpeded look at the basket, Allen came from out of nowhere, got a hand up, bothered the shot and forced the miss.



It was a defensive play Allen couldn’t make six months ago. Or three months ago. Or a month ago. But, while...