WizBlog RSS FeedLIVE BLOG COMING FROM T CAMP
9:15 AM– Hey gang Dave Johnson voice of the Wizards here in Richmond. We are all set for a live blog from practice beginning at 11 AM..hope you can join me.
10:55 AM–Here we go….I write this with TV voice Steve Buckhantz looking over my shoulder so we know we can begin..About five minutes before 11…coach Eddie Jordan called the players into the circle… with as he said new voices and new resources….in addition to new coaches Ed Tapscott Randy Ayers and Dave Hopla….also here at camp are Pete Carill and Biran Winters…Jordan noted that Ayers will be focusing on defense and as he introduced Carrill he pointed out that along with develpoing perimter players, Carill helped to develop Brad Miller and Chris Webber in Sacramento…. First things first.Randy Ayers leading the whole team in a defensive drill…
11:16 AM–As Ayers led the defensive drill talked about how getting better on D is going to be a process….”trust will have to be built up over the next two months” and it is something that will be worked on daily..stressing responsibilities on ballside defense. As I am sure mnay of you know Ayers helped Orldano to a top 10 ranking in defense last season in the NBA #7 to be exact and was at Larry Brown’s side with the Sixers
11:25 AM–So good to see Darius Songaila healthy and energized on the first day of training camp. I remember the disappointment–his and mine–of watching him watch practice this time last year. He told me yesterday Eurobasket in which Lithuania finished third was almost like a rehab since he missed so much time during the NBA season
11:35 AM–Defnsive drill continues on each end of the main court…the “bigs” Pecherov, Haywood and company now off on another court working with Phill Hubbard and , Brian Winters and Pete Carill. Winters is now the coach of the WNBA Indiana Fever..Winters had a 9-year career that included two appearances in the NBA All Star Game and playing on 6 playoffs teams.
11:39 AM–On to transiton defense…three players upcourt..two on one on the way back….
11:51 AM–Focus continues on defense…18 seconds on shot clock..half court drill..importance of understanding matchups and communication stressed…as coach Ayers stressed at the start “a trust” will be developed. Interesting to see former Maryland star Tony Massenburg out on the floor. He is sooo motivated to make this team at the age of 40. It’s not juist his age. but he is trying to get back in the league after missing the last couple of years because of a broken ankle suffered in a car accident just after helping the Spurs win the title back in 2005.
12:07PM–After water break..focus continues on defense ….working on pick and roll defense…By the way it was nice to see Pecherov hit a 15 foot baseline jumper just a few minites ago..as easy as you please
12:29PM NEWS FLASH
I have just received word that Etan Thomas has not been cleared to play. He was not at media day yesterday and has not been at practice this morning. Team President Ernie Grunfeld reports that Thomas —during a routine team physical had a cardiac test that revealed an irregularity.
12:37 PM. To add to the news on Thomas he will have further test before we will now his status….On a lighter notre D Mcguire just had two dunks off offensive rebounds. Ernie told me to keep watching him…
12:45 PM….A break from the strong focus on defense…guys paired up and scattered around 8 baskets…each having to mkae 50 jump shots
12:55 PM… Practice winding down…focus on D..just the last ten minutes of jump shooting…enjoyed seeing McGuire..who had really not seen until summer league. Pecherov also active on D…the only downer…and it is a big one..the news about Thomas..just hope he is okay
please spread the word we are blogging live here at practice
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:15 AM
Dave - what’s up! Hope all is well in Richmond. Tell all the guys I said what’s up.
How are the rookies looking?
- EH
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:24 AM
Everyone is all fired up. I got here about 9:30 am and already about half dozen players in the gym….ready to roll
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Hey Dave, what kind of impression are you getting from Randy Ayers in regards to his coaching style? Is he the no nonsense type I’ve heard he is?
You said Ayers was leading the defensive drills, which is definitely a good thing. Is Eddie Jordan interjecting anything in the defensive drills or does it seem like Ayers has been given complete control of the defense?
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Great to see us healthy to start the season. Seems like everybody is ready to go. No contract issues and no injuries…SWEET!!!
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Hey DJ
Question:
Is Blatche working out with the ‘Bigs’ or the ‘Mids’?
Is DMac with the Mids or the Smalls.
You know, who do we have in each group?
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Glad to see them workin on D. They need it. Hope they keep it up.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:12 AM
hey doclinkin thanks for jumping in.. Blatche was working with the bigs in that drill I blogged about…Dmac with the mids…they are now one group working on this pick and roll
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 AM
DJ Thanks for the frequent updates. I can never get enough training camp action this time of the year. One question though. Was Blatche one of the half dozen players early in the gym?
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Excellent. A good sign. Last year if I recall ‘Bulletproof’ was working with the mids. He seemed so much more successful and comfortable in the limited role the Bigs has been playing, and is an ideal player as a Pete Carrill style pivot.
Thanks Dave.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Nara,
yes Blatche was ealry to the gym..in fact the whole team was pretty much here 45 minutes before the start of practice
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:33 AM
doclinkin you make an excellent point….Carill in part has been brought to this camp because of his success working with bigs
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Crap - just saw the news on Etan. Hope he’ll be ok.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:36 AM
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge….. Just when everyone was talking about how healthy we are…
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:40 AM
nara..i hear you this came out of the blue and was just part of a routine pre camp physical..keep our fingers crossed that further tests will help clear him
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Hey Dave,
How has Gil’s knee looked so far? Any signs of favoring it at all or any lack of his usual explosiveness? Thanks for all the updates, I can’t wait for the start of the season.
I hope Nick Young is paying attention to the defensive drills. With his 7 foot wingspan he could be a crucial defender for us.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:53 AM
man it would be bad it etan is not cleared.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:58 AM
aznzero….lets just keep our fingers crossed on etan..again it was discovered in the physical that every player takes before camp
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:03 PM
are there gonna be any videos from this training camp?
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Horrible news! I hope Mr. Thomas is ok. Basketball is no longer my first thought when it comes to him.
Dave…. when are they scheduling additional tests?
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Enjoyed the blog. Made my last two hours go by a little faster. I was just about to ask about Etan when you posted the news since I hadn’t heard anything on him.
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:39 PM
everyone thanks for logging on.,..be back for the evening pratcie..to grfonracing..not sure about additional tests…we’ll update when we know
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 PM
thanks Dave!
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:00 PM
thanks dave…
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:36 PM
Thanks Dave!
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:55 PM
Thank’s Dave!! I hope everything’s fine about Etan….