The NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers head back to Boston tied up thanks to the performance of Ray Allen in Game 2. The 34-year-old vet has had to overcome an injury-plagued career and multiple surgeries to win his first championship in 2008. However, thanks to an improved workout and diet, Ray Allen and the Boston Celtics are looking for their second title in three years.
“In an effort to get him more explosive, we’ve had to try and teach him how to land all over again,” said Norton.
As revealed in Mens’ Fitness, Ray Allen started working with Boston Celtics strength and condition coaches, Walter Norton Jr. and Bryan Doo prior to the 2007-08 season. Allen had just had surgery on both his ankles, so the trainers had to come up with a workout program that would help his joints. In particular, Ray Allen trains with resistance bands while squatting or lunging to incorporate his glutes into his jumping and mechanics. Ray Allen’s workout allows him to build core strength by training functionally. For instance, he performs each move in an athletic position to simulate how his body would move on the court. “He’ll train in shoes one day and bare feet the next to change the stimulus,” Norton added. To work on balance, Ray Allen will stand on one foot, as his trainer throws him a medicine ball at varying heights. In addition, Ray Allen has been known to include P90X as a workout routine.
Ray Allen Game Day Diet
Breakfast (8:00 am): Ray likes to start the day with blueberry pancakes, which are loaded with antioxidants.If Ray Allen’s diet and workout help him continue to play as he did in Game 2, the Boston Celtics may just win their NBA-record, 18th championship.
Morning Shoot-Around (10:00 am): Ray Allen goes to the Waltham training facility to shoot some hoops to get his blood flowing.
Lunch (noon): Ray usually goes with a lean turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread for his lunchtime meal.
Nap (1:30 pm): After lunch, Ray Allen usually takes a two-hour nap to get ready for the game.
Pre-Game Lunch (3:30 pm): Unlike his younger days, Ray Allen prefers a healthy diet. His favorite? Baked chicken, rice, and broccoli. “I ate too many heavy starches when I was younger and it seemed like my legs were always heavy starting games,” says Allen.
Afternoon Shoot-Around (4:00 pm): After arriving at the TD Banknorth Garden, home of the Boston Celtics, Allen goes through some more shooting drills.
Stretching & Last Pre-Game Snack (5:00 pm): Allen will then stretch for up to an hour – paying particular attention to his hamstrings. He follows up with a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and 32 oz. of water.
GAME TIME! (7:00 pm)
Post-Game Cooldown (10:00 pm): Allen caps his evening by soaking his feet in a tub of ice for 15 minutes.