The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Miami Heat will wrap up the basketball portion of their four-day stay in the Bahamas this morning and, according to the players, a unique training camp experience for the back-to-back NBA champions was highlighted by Bahamian hospitality.

Following their lone practice session yesterday in the Imperial Ballroom at the Atlantis resort, team members reflected on their stay.

“What stood out the most to me was the kindness of the people,” said sharp-shooting swingman Ray Allen. “Around the hotel and around the island people were so kind and happy to have us here and that to me was real special.”

The 17-year veteran was the game six hero of the 2013 NBA Finals when his clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter capped a Miami run to force overtime. The Heat went on to the improbable win and capture the title with a game seven win over the San Antonio Spurs.

“I always feel like I’m a burden to people and I try to be conscious of that, take care of whatever space I’m using and not to make too much of a fuss, but the people here were great from the moment we stepped off the plane,” he said. “The people have made us feel very welcome and accommodating so I’ve been very grateful and thankful to be here.”

Allen, 38, may be in the best shape of his career after shedding approximately 10 pounds in the offseason, which he attributes to the “Paleo” diet.

“It’s been nice even though we haven’t had an opportunity to experience much of the island,” said Shane Battier. “But the setting is obviously beautiful and for the remainder of our time we’ll try to experience a little bit more.”

“This is a beautiful island,” said Dwyane Wade. Coach graced us with the opportunity to get a little sun so we want to try to get out there and enjoy the pools a little bit before we leave. One thing about this team, we can put us anywhere and we are going to compete. We have future Hall of Famers in here, we have young guys in here competing, we just have a good group of guys that are very competitive so we are going to always get after it.”

The Heat “got after it” so much in yesterday’s session that head coach Erik Spoelstra gave the team the afternoon off.

Prime Minister Perry Christie and other members of parliament were special guests to yesterday’s practice session.

“It was all out, as much as you can go, don’t save anything, do not pace yourself,” Spoelstra said. “We’re building the habits of intensity and we’ll continue to do that.”

“It felt like 190 minutes,” said Chris Bosh. “It was good. We’re just trying to set the tone for this season. Nobody really thinks about it or talks about it, but if you want to play in late June, it starts now. You can’t cut corners and think you’re going to be able to compete later on. We’re trying to build those legs, build those habits now.”

“We got at it right from the beginning,” said forward LeBron James. “It was like day five for the veterans,” said James. “This isn’t day three, it’s day five. This is the fifth practice. We definitely earned it. Spo graced us and allowed us to enjoy the afternoon.”

Despite the positive reviews of the hospitality and the facilities, the Bahamas would be unable to host the Heat again next year.

The NBA’s new collective-bargaining agreement prohibits teams from hosting international training camps in consecutive years.

The team’s final practice session is scheduled for this morning before they return to South Florida this afternoon.