Allan Houston remembers his childhood neighbor, Muhammad Ali

The entire sports world -- along with the rest of the world, really -- paused for a moment on Saturday to reflect on the life of the original G.O.A.T., Muhammad Ali. The boxing legend was many things to many different to many different people, but he was something special to Knicks executive Allan Houston, who lived a few doors down from Ali (née Cassius Clay) and the Clay family in Louisville, Ky.

Celebrating the Life and Career of One of Greatest Champions and Human Beings in history. Appreciative to have grown up 3 houses down from the Clay family in #LouisvilleKy #GrandAvenue and remember the stories of his Impact on the the community. We salute him for his Faith and Confidence in himself and others. For his Sacrifice and willingness to give up Personal Glory for the glory of something bigger and positive, and his Legacy of allowing his Immense platform to reflect a genuine love for people and Humanity #CELEBRATINGALI

A photo posted by Allan Houston (@allan_houston) on Jun 4, 2016 at 5:50am PDT

OK, that's the coolest photo ever -- lil' Allan Houston with the heavyweight champion of the world. Jonah Ballow talked to Houston and his parents, who relayed some adorable stories about their famous neighbor:

Muhammad Ali showed up at @ALLAN_HOUSTON’s birthday party when he was 2. This, after the Ken Norton fight in ’73 & w/ a broken jaw.

— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) June 4, 2016

.@ALLAN_HOUSTON’s mom Alice exclusively to @jonahballow about her childhood friend, Muhammad Ali: pic.twitter.com/QDLBwNALLF

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 4, 2016

Personally, I would have liked to have hung out with Ali the Magician. I grew up next to Chris Mullin's brother, which was cool. Allan Houston's story is way better, though.