Very few NBA stars jump right into a training camp in May. The vast majority use this time to rest and recuperate, putting on a bit of weight before shedding it and getting back into game shape during the pre-season training camp and preseason games.
The players who show up for special individual training during the offseason are usually highly motivated stars with grand ambitions.
Arenas, Baron Davis, and Michael Redd all hoped to take their games to the next level. Their current skill level put them on the fringe of being All-Stars, and they were all the core players of weaker teams. If they could take that next step, they could become highly popular stars, then superstars who could dominate games, and eventually, megastars.
They came to the training camp for targeted practice, reinforcing their skills based on their performance last season. Their main approach was to combine their natural talent with technical skill.
