2007 TRAINING CAMP - Day 7 Up- Dates ...Now

[jack daniel 999]

JD, is there anyway you could get us the individual stats of the players?

________________________________________

 

Training camp - I doubt it...

 

But maybe during the Pre-season they will be around somewhere's.

[Nyce_1]

yeahhhhhhhhhhhh

 

Oh! kayyyyyyyyy

 

I can't wait to get this ish started. Holloween couldn't come sooner.

[jack daniel 999]

Day 4: Learning Day

 

By Nick Adams | October 2, 2007

 

After three demanding and exhausting two-a-days, Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy rewarded the team with just one practice Tuesday which began at 11 AM and concluded at 2:30 PM.

 

However, the players were not off the hook as the typical physical challenge of Camp Van Gundy was replaced by a practice of mental challenge.

 

"It was a little different day today because we didn't scrimmage," said Van Gundy. "It was still competitive because we did do some 4 on 4 half court work but we spent most of the day working on our defense sets and spent the last half hour working on our offensive sets."

 

Van Gundy says he has put in numerous offensive and defensive sets and is able to move at a fast pace because of the players' overall ability to retain information.

 

He credits not only the player's intellegence, but also their willingness to attend non-voluntary practices in September.

 

"Most of the guys have been here for a month now, so we were able to tell them our scemes in regard to when they get the ball in certain areas."

 

Van Gundy continued, "This has made it a lot easier to teach our specific sets because they all have a better idea of what we are trying to accomplish."

 

The team hasn't done much drill work but instead have focused on getting in condition physically by scrimmaging the past couple of days, and mentally by teaching the details today.

 

"The best thing about this team so far has been their ability to focus on the one specific thing we learn that day," said Van Gundy. "We try to emphasize a different part of the game each day and they have been able to improve and focus on those specific areas from day to day."

 

The players focus will be tested tonight as they face the daunting task of preparing for another intense two-a-day tomorrow.

 

Some Highlights...

 

Dwight Developing

In order to take his game to the next level, Dwight Howard is trying to develop a spot-up 15 foot jump shot. He is working very hard and has worked on shooting the shot during the scrimmages.

 

"His shot is a work in progress," said Van Gundy. "His strengths we already know, his ability to run the floor, his offensive rebounding, and his ability near the hoop, but he is working hard to develop that shot and I am confident that he will eventually develop that part of his game."

 

Van Gundy has doubled Howard down in the post every time he touches it because that is what Howard will be facing much of the season.

 

Team Strength

The teams major strenght at the offensive end of the floor is their inside/outside game. So far they have shown the ability to shoot the ball well from the perimeter. Obviously, having Dwight inside is a major strength. They have post up players in Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu with good shooters around them.

 

Shooting Guard

Coming into camp, perhaps the biggest question in regard to a specific position was shooting guard. Van Gundy praised J.J. Redick and Keith Bogans for their play in training camp.

 

"Both the guys have shot the ball extremely well and have worked hard defensively," added Van Gundy. "They have played very, very well and if anything, that position in the four days of camp has looked like a strength to our team."

 

Their play will be put to the test as they will go up against Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, and Dwayne Wade in their first three preseason games.

 

Versatility

Going along with the topic of team strengths, perhaps one of their major strengths is their versatility in their players. Specifically, Trevor Ariza has worked out at shooting guard and small forward, Rashard has worked out at small forward and power forward, and Hedo has worked out at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward.

 

"We are trying to move all those guys around," Van Gundy added. "They are very versitle players who allow us the freedom of either going small or big with our lineups."

 

Coach Van Gundy says he wants to come up with at least six different lineups that he can use throughout the course of a game.

 

Point of Emphasis

Two starting positions which figure to be locked up belong to Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard. Surprisingly, when asked if there are any other positions that were up for grabs, Van Gundy said the point guard position.

 

Although Jameer Nelson has been the team's starting point guard for the last three seasons, Van Gundy claims the position hasn't been won yet.

 

The candidates for the role, Carlos Arroyo, Keyon Dooling, and Nelson combined for 16 assists and committed just one turnover in yesterday's scrimmage.

 

"That position has been solid for us so far," stated Van Gundy."Keyon and Carlos have played very well and it has definitely been a battle so far."

 

Jameer Nelson commented on the fight for the starting role.

 

"There is nothing I can do but to go out and play hard. I am not going to sit here and cry about it. It isn't up to me who starts, all I can do is play my game and help the team out in any way I can."

 

The depth at the point guard positon will allow Van Gundy to keep the fast pace in which he intends to incorporate.

 

Arroyo DNP

Carlos Arroyo did not practice today due to dental issues. He is expected to participate in tomorrow's workout.

 

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Day_4_Learning_Day-238163-800.html

[ibonedteribell]

quote:

"That position has been solid for us so far," stated Van Gundy."Keyon and Carlos have played very well and it has definitely been a battle so far."

JD, what does this mean? Is that a put down on Jameer's performance?

[jack daniel 999]

Sounds to me that those two are giving Jameer a run for his money...

 

we have a real battle on our hands.

[Rodriguez]

quote:

Originally posted by jack daniel 999:

Sounds to me that those two are giving Jameer a run for his money...

 

we have a real battle on our hands.

 

As long the Three playing very well I really don't care who start and Who's coming from the bench. Go Dooling, Jameer and Carlos.

[SmackDaddy]

My observations:

 

I love hearing that SVG has the second team doubling down on Dwight every time he touches the ball. I often wondered last year if B Hill was doing anything in practice to help Dwight beat the double team, whether it be passing out or spinning to the weakside. Dwight often looked frustrated by double teams during games like he never saw them in practice. Very glad to see SVG making that a point of emphasis.

 

I'm also thrilled to hear that every single player on our team has come into training camp in tip-top shape. We've already heard about how hard nearly every player on the roster worked this Summer. It really sounds like they were on a mission. They are eager to prove themselves and get past the frustration of being swept in the playoffs last year.

 

Dwight with a 15 foot post-up jump shot? I Have Chills!!!

 

It's also nice to hear that these guys aren't drifting through practice. I think one reason our guys showed no intensity last year was due to lack of conditioning. If you don't go after it in practice, how are you going to be able to compete? Conditioning is such a huge aspect of competing and our guys are blowing it up.

[jack daniel 999]

Am I sencing some excitement out of you about training camp, Smack...

 

That's what I like to see.

 

Us getting excited about our team...LOL

[bhnole]

quote:

Originally posted by SmackDaddy:

My observations:

 

I love hearing that SVG has the second team doubling down on Dwight every time he touches the ball. I often wondered last year if B Hill was doing anything in practice to help Dwight beat the double team, whether it be passing out or spinning to the weakside. Dwight often looked frustrated by double teams during games like he never saw them in practice. Very glad to see SVG making that a point of emphasis.

 

I'm also thrilled to hear that every single player on our team has come into training camp in tip-top shape. We've already heard about how hard nearly every player on the roster worked this Summer. It really sounds like they were on a mission. They are eager to prove themselves and get past the frustration of being swept in the playoffs last year.

 

Dwight with a 15 foot post-up jump shot? I Have Chills!!!

 

I thought the same thing about the double teams, from last years training camp reports it seemed like Brian just made Darko defend him one on one all the time. Not seeing them in practice and having few shooters on the floor made passing out of the double team a tough task for Dwight.

 

As for the 15 foot jump shot, Ewing was the master of playing inside and outside. He is learning from the master big man on that.

[Secretly Space Jesus]

quote:

Originally posted by bhnole:

quote:

Originally posted by SmackDaddy:

My observations:

 

I love hearing that SVG has the second team doubling down on Dwight every time he touches the ball. I often wondered last year if B Hill was doing anything in practice to help Dwight beat the double team, whether it be passing out or spinning to the weakside. Dwight often looked frustrated by double teams during games like he never saw them in practice. Very glad to see SVG making that a point of emphasis.

 

I'm also thrilled to hear that every single player on our team has come into training camp in tip-top shape. We've already heard about how hard nearly every player on the roster worked this Summer. It really sounds like they were on a mission. They are eager to prove themselves and get past the frustration of being swept in the playoffs last year.

 

Dwight with a 15 foot post-up jump shot? I Have Chills!!!

 

I thought the same thing about the double teams, from last years training camp reports it seemed like Brian just made Darko defend him one on one all the time. Not seeing them in practice and having few shooters on the floor made passing out of the double team a tough task for Dwight.

 

As for the 15 foot jump shot, Ewing was the master of playing inside and outside. He is learning from the master big man on that.

 

I'll go ahead and paraphrase my own quote from last season, and say that if Dwight can develop a 10-15ft bank shot, he'll average 25-30pts a game, and be impossible for anyone to guard.

[jack daniel 999]

Fatigue Becoming a Factor

 

By Nick Adams | October 3, 2007

 

Fatigue began to set in as the team returned for their fifth training camp day at RDV Sportsplex. Wednesday's practice was a two-a-day session featuring a three quarter intersquad scrimmage.

 

According to Coach Van Gundy, it was a very sloppy scrimmage.

 

"It was a very, very sloppy day because of the fatigue, but the effort was still there."

 

Though the practice was not up to Van Gundy's standards, he took into consideration the physical condition of the team.

 

"I am not going to read too much into it because it was a very tired group today. This is our fifth training camp day, we play an up-tempo style, and we played three quarters, no halftime, with 15 guys."

 

There were seven guys on one team, and eight on another. The white team featuring Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick dominated the black team featuring Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson by a score of 78-57.

 

The players only have to fight their exhaustion for one more day as they wrap up their two-a-day session Thursday and have an intersquad scrimmage on Friday at RDV Sportsplex. The scrimmage will not be open to the public.

 

Some Highlights...

 

Keyon Injured

Keyon Dooling did not participate in Wednesday's scrimmage due to a groin injury. Dooling is expected to miss 4-5 days. He has been dealing with the injury for most of camp and has decided to give it some rest. Dooling has been playing significant time at the point guard position but will be used at shooting guard as well.

 

Doubling Dwight

After leading the league in turnovers last season, another emphasis on Dwight Howard's game will be his decision making out of the double team. Coach Van Gundy said that in their scrimmage there was a two minute span where they double teamed Dwight every time down the floor and he made three great passes.

 

"He has been really focused on passing out of the post and has greatly improved in that area of his game so far."

 

Van Gundy has been giving Dwight different looks out of the double team. Double teaming him after Dwight begins to make a move and double teaming him when he has his back to the basket. Throwing Dwight different looks will allow him to become more comfortable distributing the ball to cutters through the lane and spot up shooters.

 

Swapping Squads

Coach Van Gundy has been consistent with changing up the teams and forcing different players and lineups to work together. The versatility of the players has allowed Van Gundy to experiment with different teams and lineups. The ability to mix up big and small lineups will create match-up problems for opposing defenses.

 

"We need to figure out who our best players are and which lineups work best with each other," stated Van Gundy. "It is a fun challenge to have and it will be fun watching a power forward try to guard both Rashard and Hedo."

 

Obviously, Rashard and Dwight are the go to guys. However, Van Gundy has expressed his confidence in the fact that he has a lot of players who possess the ability to take over spurts of a game. Multiple lineups with the freedom in a fast pace game, should make for an exciting team to watch.

 

Aligning the Stars

The inside/outside threat of Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis has been a key focus at training camp. Today's scrimmage was the first in which Dwight and Rashard did not play on the same team. Coach Van Gundy wanted to split them up in order to give the defenses a chance to double team each player and to give Dwight and Rashard a chance to be the focal part of each team's offense.

 

Bogans Balling

According to Van Gundy, Keith Bogans has been absolutely lights out. Bogans has been the best shooter from the perimeter at camp thus far shooting a ridiculous 57 percent from beyond the arch. The double teams drawn by Dwight and Rashard has provided many open looks for Bogans mainly from the corners. Similar to that of Bruce Bowen with the San Antonio Spurs. Much like Bowen, Bogans is a solid perimeter defender which benefits him as he fights for the starting shooting guard position.

 

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Fatigue_Becoming_a_Factor-238323-800.html

[Nyce_1]

1. Glad to see Dwight making good passes out of the double team.

 

2. Good job Keith. He always seemed like the Bruce Bowen type to me and that's EXACTLY what we need; good defender who can knock down open shots. I'm riding high with you Junkie!

 

3. Hope Keyon gets better.