Ray Allen has made a disciplined routine of being the first to arrive at the arena hours before game time.
Now a member of the Miami Heat, he is still getting to the gym earlymore than two weeks before the start of training camp.
On Monday Heat owner Micky Arison tweeted a photo of Allen putting up shots at the AmericanAirlines Arena.
Ray looks gr8 working out @aaarena in @miamiheat gear! Looking fwd to training camp 19days LetsGoHeat instagr.ampPZ3UDDu8Pq Micky Arison (@MickyArison) September 10, 2012
Numerous NBA players have incorporated Allens work ethic throughout the veterans 16-year career. Other are looking forward to learning more, including Heat guard Norris Cole, who is entering his second season in the league.
The first question I want to ask him is, When did you start your shooting routine? Cole told CSNNE.com during Las Vegas Summer League. He has a heck of a shooting routine that he does. Im an early guy, but not as early as him. I get there two-and-a-half, three hours early.
I think its going to be fun, Cole said. Hes going to be able to space the floor a lot. Hes the ultimate professional, another veteran guy in the locker room, so I think hes going to help me out a lot and our team.
Boston Celtics
Many of Allens new teammates in Miami only know him as an opponent. Last season he averaged averaged 11.9 points (37.7 FG, 35.0 3pg) and 4.3 rebounds against the Heat in the Eastern Conference as a member of the Boston Celtics.
Shortly after the Heat eliminated the Cs in Game 7, Allen underwent surgery to remove bone spurs that had been hampering him during the second half of the season.
He was tough, said Cole. He was battling that ankle injury but yet he was still able to knock down big shots for his team, so that shows how tough he really is.
Allen signed with the Heat as an unrestricted free agent in July. While the Celtics have added Courtney Lee and Jason Terry to enhance their backcourt, the Heat are looking forward to working Allen into theirs.
Hes going to be running defenses crazy how he comes off screens, Cole said. With LeBron (James) and D-Wade (Dwyane Wade), you have to keep bodies on them so youre going to have to pick your poison. And he leads the NBA history in three point makes, so its going to be tough for defenses.
The Celtics and Heat will face off on Opening Night, October 30, in Miami.