"Ray Allen actually appears leaner than his regular-season playing weight, as if he has been on one of the Jillian Michaels workout regimens since the Celtics were eliminated by the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals nearly two months ago.

Allen will turn 36 July 20, another milestone for the game's greatest 3-point shooter as he embarks on perhaps his final season with the Celtics. Allen has one more year on his Boston contract, worth $10 million, and then it's possible he will depart for greener pastures and an opportunity for a reserve role for a team that needs one final piece.

The lockout can be damaging to players who don't take care of themselves, as we learned in 1998 when players such as Shawn Kemp, Rod Strickland, and Mitch Richmond saw their careers suffer after such long layoffs. Allen said he will make sure that doesn't happen to him or any of his veteran teammates."