Tuesday night, when the Bucks play their regular-season opener against Utah at Salt Lake City, Allen will be ready for work. He always is. He will be making his 367th straight start, the longest by any active NBA player.

That's an amazing feat in a league where many players don't have a problem calling in sick and taking a day off. To Allen, though, his starting skein isn't a big deal. After all, it's his job, Allen will tell you.

"I have a stubborn personality,'' Allen says. "When I set my mind toward doing something, I stick with it. There's no reason for me to sit down. I go into every season expecting to play every game.''

There's another reason Allen is so conscientious about showing up for work, a reason that is almost beyond comprehension when you consider Allen is unquestionably one of the NBA's marquee players.

And that is, despite all his accomplishments, Allen is still a bit paranoid. He feels he can't relax and take anything for granted. You'd almost think he was Wally Pipp, and unproven, second-year backup Michael Redd was Lou Gehrig.

"I'm always afraid that if I sit down somebody might move in and take my place,'' Allen said. "It could easily happen.''

Sure it could, and the sun will set in the east tonight, and Rush Limbaugh will join the Democratic Party. Ray, you can't be serious, can you?

"Yeah, that's how I feel,'' Allen continued. "You have to overprepare yourself, so you're just as good or even better than anyone else. When I'm not out there on the court and somebody else is taking my place and doing good things, I lose ground. Somebody else is creeping up on me.''