From Celtics Assistant Coach Kevin Eastman:
Ray Allen always shoots three hours before every game — like clockwork. Since the main floor wasn’t available for another hour, we had to find an alternative. We found out there was another court in the arena, so we headed down there. So as we’re walking into that small gym we hear a ball already bouncing — it’s Mike Miller already into his shooting workout. Two of the best shooters in the game today, three hours before the game, making sure that they continue to work and prepare for the game!
There is no magic formula that makes them two of the best shooters in the league. They work at it all the time. There they were, at opposite ends of the court working on their game shots — game shots from game spots, and each repetition at game speed.
We had three assistants on our end working with Ray and there were two on the other end with Mike. Very little talking — just tremendous concentration — both players proving that even though they are the best, they continue to work to stay there. Being the best gets harder as time goes on so you need to continue to work on your game. Both guys went full speed and had a lather going by the time they were done.
When I walked into that gym I wished every player in the country — at any level — could have seen Ray and Mike working ON GAME NIGHT! Small gym, opposite ends of the floor, opposing teams, but one common denominator — working to get better and focusing on preparing for the game.
The lesson is that preparing for the game is what the best do so well. Working at your game at every opportunity is what makes a player the best at his skill.
