This is quite a departure from the articles I usually do, but I recently read the new book by former NBA star Ray Allen and I came away with a lesson that I think could be beneficial to everyone's lives.

Ray Allen, now 43-years-old, played at the University of Connecticut before going on to play 19 seasons in the NBA for four different teams. A 10-time All-Star, Allen is most known for holding the record for the most three-pointers made in NBA history, while also winning two championships with the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Recently, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his achievements on the hardwood.

Growing up, I always knew that Ray Allen was an all-time great basketball player. After reading his book, however, I learned about his legendary work ethic on the court and his unique attitude towards life in general. These traits are what made him into the player he was, the man he is now, and the role model he is for fans around the globe, including myself.

In his book, "From the Outside: My Journey Through Life and the Game I Love," Allen provides a look into his life and career while providing some of the lessons he has learned through his experiences. While many stories stuck out to me, there was one that stood about above the rest.

"Success always requires commitment. Day after day. Year after year."

The most defining moment of Allen's career came during Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. The Miami Heat were down three games to two to the San Antonio Spurs and were losing 95-92 with only a few seconds remaining. It was looking as if the Spurs were going to win the championship, in fact, many Heat fans had already left the arena and the event staff had already rolled out the yellow rope to keep fans off the courts.

Lebron James missed the game-tying three but was rebounded by big man Chris Bosh who dished it off to Allen. Allen then took a step back behind the line and buried a three to tie the game with 5.2 seconds remaining, forcing the game to overtime. The Heat would go on to win Game 6, as well as Game 7, winning the NBA championship once again, in large part due to Allen's heroics.

Most basketball fans were not surprised Ray Allen hit the shot he made, after all, he was considered to be the best shooter the league had ever seen (Pre-Steph Curry). What many didn't know is that Allen had been preparing for that specific moment for a long time. In his book, Allen describes a drill he used to do that prepared for that specific scenario.

"During practices in Milwaukee, my first stop in the league, I came up with a drill where I would start on my knees, catch the ball, and fire away. Or I'd start on my back or stomach and go through the same sequence. The point was to develop the muscle memory of getting off a good shot when there's chaos around you."

Drills such as these are examples of how obsessed Allen was with working hard on his craft, even down to the smallest detail.

"Do everything you can to know you did everything you could and live with the results."

When speaking on the Finals win, Allen wisely said, "The real victory didn't come that night. The victory came on other nights, one after another, when there were no fans or cameras." Many people dream of achieving big things in their life but aren't willing to put in the work necessary to achieve them. By looking at Allen's example, we can see a man who knew what it meant to work hard and who reaped the benefits of that work as a result, therefore inspiring others to work hard in their own lives.