The new batch of basketball Hall of Famers will be enshrined Friday in Springfield, and among the figures everybody is excited to see make a speech in the event is legendary sharpshooter and former Miami Heat guard Ray Allen.
A consummate pro, who was always there to answer the bell when the moment asks for it, Allen played 18 years in the NBA and during that span, built a decorated career that included two NBA titles – with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and with the Heat in 2013 – and 10 All-Star selections
Allen is also known for his grueling practice habits in which he takes thousands of shots before calling it a day at a gym. When Allen was asked by NBA.com’s David Aldridge about what motivated him to be that dedicated to perfecting his craft during his playing career, Allen had an articulate and beautiful answer, which was as smooth as his stroke from behind the arc.
Few put in the work like Ray Allen did. 💪
(Via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/9OurypiJPL
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 7, 2018
“Just obsession. I have always had to fear of letting people down. Most of my life I have been let down in some form or fashion, you know, when you expect something from people. And I told myself at a young age that I was going to go out there and I was going to force through no matter what, not let myself down, not let my teammates down, and not let my family down. When I was out there, I knew that what I was doing was going to matter at some point. Even if it was just one time, that time was going to make a huge impact not only on me, not only on my team, but the team I’m playing against, and people in the city, and people of the world that maybe in tune or connected to what we’re doing. That’s happened multiple times for me, and I just wanted to always just be that guy that people can rely on.”
Allen, who last played for the Heat, retired from the NBA after racking up 24,505 points and drilling 2,973 3-pointers – still the league’s all-time record.
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