DAVE’S BLOG FROM T CAMP: DAY 2
10:50 AM…Here we go gang..the only practice of the day underway..Randy Ayers..leading team through defensive drill…got some questions from last night..about to answer them..here in this space…By the way former assistant coach Tom Young is here as a spectator..so good to see him..and he was so great to me as the coming on to talk after each game….
11:00AM…Great question coming in…last night I missed a question from mriggs6980 ” it seemed that the Wizards used the “hedge†against the PnR most of the time; where the Center steps out on the offensive player with the ball, forcing him to take at least one dribble away from the basket – the defending guard then has time to recover, and the center has to quickly sprint back to his man. “..I will get back on this…they did …They worked on pick and roll in last night’s practice…I will go over what they did later in this space
11:07 AM…I know I have mentioned this before…but I like Eddie’s phrase new voices..new resources….it helps keep practice fresh with different assitants taking charge and again we have guest assitants in Pete Carill and Brian Winters..A lot of variety..the whole group together at the beginnig…then players divided into four groups…three for shooting ..one for stretching.
11:11 AM…I should clarify…shooting drills not just jump shots but focused in closer…just finished working on one handed reverse layups..not shots from the top of the key..passer then defends the shooter
11:17 AM…Divided now into three groups of six…. start with a passing drill..pass and cut..Eddie’s mantra use a screen…set a screen…
11:30 AM…passing drill has evolved into 3 v 3..using same principles.
11:31 AM…watching Tony Massenburg I do believe 40 is the new 30…
11:34 AM…okay it’s only pre-season…heck it’s only practice..still great to Areans fire up the hibachi…at the other end Jamon Gordon just stuck a big jumper……nice pass and then screen from Darius to Willie Deane
11:36 AM…different pace to this practice…drills seems to be changing more often…now on to what they call”drag drill” starts with boxing out for rebound…and then working in transiton to a half court set…still 3v 3…..Nick Young just hit an outside J
11:50 AM…things have changed..in transiton with D..before this..Tony Massenburg a big one handed jam…oh to be forty again
11:54 AM…I see referees warming up.. sounds like scrimmage
11:57 AM…Now into a full court 5v5 drill…talking on defense stressed…Randy Ayers telling players on defense to foucs on the ball..saying ‘”where’s the ball”
12:02 PM….water break…but coach Carill taking time for instruction with Caron Butler…can’t tell what it is about…but you see the joy of teaching Carill has. and the respect and focus from Caron..
12:05 PM… team divided..Dave Hopla has one group shooting…5v5 on the other end..Eddie and coach O’Koren clearly focused on D
12:07 PM….Alright now a real special treat..live and direct Steve Buckhantz is here…and he will do some blogging…I think Phil Chenier is tired of talking to him..so he came over to bend my ear……Thanks Dave… I actually came over because you look so lonely over here blogging… that plus your cologne is extremely enticing. Seriously, Phil is in the stands watching practice…but he needs to sit close because as we age, our eyesight isn’t quite what it used to be.
Actually, Phil and I and Eddie Tapscott had a bite of dinner last night. I can’t tell you how thrilled that Tap is now a part of the team. He and Ernie Grunfeld are close, as they worked together with the Knicks in New York. But of course, Eddie is a DC native and coached at AU for many years. He has a tremendous wealth of knowledge regarding the game and as you may know helped built the former expansion Charlotte Bobcats from scratch with owner Bob Johnson. Eddie is very happy to be back in the game but he admitted he will miss his duties from previous seasons when he was an expert comentator following Wizards broadcasts with us on Comcast SportsNet.
Watching practice is an excellent tool for Dave, Phil and me as we are able to see the philosophies implemented by the various coaches, including the new ones, Randy Ayers and shooting coach Dave Hopla.
12:17PM…That’s Steve Buckhantz..he will be here all week..remember to tip your waitors…. Steve just made the comment as Anonio Daniels hit another J..his shooting has carried on from last year’s playoffs…Willie Deane just made a nice pass to Brendan Haywood who cut the lane for a SLAM
12:23 pm….Refs in place….. on to the free throw game..5 v 5 starts with a free throw then up and down the court…shot clock on… at times stopped for instruction..and everything called..illegal screen just whistled…
12:30 PM…Just inside the arc sweet jumper from Gilbert off a screen…Roger Mason as welll..and then Gilbert Arenas off balnce on one leg from the baseline at the buzzer..okay let’s start the season…
12:40…a brief break..and a huddle around coach Carill,,,,5 v 5..still what they call the free throw game…starts out with Arenas, Butler, Haywood, Pecherov and Young…against..Mason McGuire, Taylor, Blatche and Massenburg…..AD has come in for Mason and Hall for Butler.
12:45….I just mentoned Mike Hall…as you might expect he has been working hard to mnake his mark..He went through this last year and almost made the team coming out of camp and then was brought back after time in the D League..and as I mention Hall he hits a jumper from the corner after good ball movement
12:51 PM….Change again….working on various aspects of the offense..No D.. teams of five split up at three baskets….
1:05 PM…defense has been introduced for the last five mintes…in a 5 v 5 half court..other players shooting off to the side..just had a question about what’s different this year….just have a real sense of a team that has matured…they really do seem ahead of where they were last year and they have been able to lock in more on defense…
1:10 PM…team huddled around coach Jordan in center cirle..this could be it for the day..
1:13 PM.. team meeting next.. blogging here from camp..spread the word..feel free to send questions as you think of them
Posted: October 3rd, 2007 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 9:54 AM
Good morning….the rookies are fun to watch…yes there was a learning curve yesterday..but in the night practice I was impressed with Pecherov at both ends of the floor…D McGuire missed the night pratice with amigraine..but he was a headache to deal with in the AM practice…two big SLAMS off offensive rebounds…Nick Young confident…
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 9:55 AM
terry burns ..you asked last night about Willie Deane….talked to him in the elevator last night..he was trying to be a quick learner..and he wants to show something..big challenge..he played in Russia last year…closer to Japan than Moscow…told me his club was an 8 and half hour flight from Moscow
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 9:57 AM
and wiz-skins..trust me..defsne is the focus…1:45 minutes in the first practice yesterday..and then in the night practice..emphasis on pick and roll and transition defense.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time October 3, 2007 at 10:15 AM
thats great news dave…if nick is confident and d-mac is a headche to deal with then we are going to have a good bench…does anyone think since etan is having cardiac problems do you think there is a chance we pick up anderson verajao…no one has offered him a contract although he is restricted
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time October 3, 2007 at 10:16 AM
dave or will, could we have a few pictures or video of the practice
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 10:20 AM
wiz skins..i will check with Ernie on Verajao…..he is about 50 yards from me.. and wiz skins you have real power,…..my man will just got up to take some pictures..video also to come..if you go to day one blog there are two video reports
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 10:26 AM
mriggs6980…in answer to your question last night about PnR..indeed what you discussed we did practice..but more than just the center was involved intrying to disrupt the ball handler
Comment from mriggs6980
Time October 3, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Dave, I believe you have been to the last several training camps.
I know you said earlier that there are more voices (Ayers, Winters, Pete Carril, etc…),
and a focus on defense…
Can you tell us what else you see so far that is different this year, versus previous years?
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 12:06 PM
mriggs6980…that’s a good question…i know it seems like it has been structured differently..i think that is good because if it is the same ol thing that will have less impact…i know eddie works hard on making effective use of these t camp practices… he said yesterday..he and his staff worked two weeks on just the first practice….the core group is a key..it seems like they are ahead and rookies like Pecherov Young and McGuire have several players to help them a long… I don’t remember a practice like the first one yesterday being so heavy on D..almost an hour and 45 minutes…that’s not to say they didn’t focus on D in the past..but I see what Eddie is talking about it..he really doesn’t have to take time to teach the offense to Antawn or Caron etc.
Comment from lanka124
Time October 3, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Dave –
How is Brendan doing, what is his body language like. IS he high fiving the players and in a good mood?? ANy different from previous years training camp for Brendan? What is his physical shape – bigger, more muscle, more cut?
THX
Comment from smchawk
Time October 3, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Just a couple of random thoughts
1) Appreciate the blogs. Quickly has become my lunch reading.
2) I feel bad for Etan from a personal standpoint. I don’t wish health problems on anyone. But, from a Wizards standpoint – isn’t this a guy we were shopping around anyway? That can’t co-exist with Haywood, who the organization seems to have decided to stick with. I’m not big into conspiracy’s, and I’m not exactly sure how him being ruled out because of medical reasons affects the cap space, but it does seem a bit convenient.
3) Let’s say it does open some cap space – I wonder if Charles Oakley was ever considered. Leadership, toughness, defense. Wouldn’t be a bad guy to have if he can still contribute. Sure he’s 43 but Massenburg isn’t much younger and apparently he’s been impressive, and Mutumbo is still effective as ancient as he is. Just a thought. . .
4) Can we get another nickname for Dominic McGuire? D Mac is just to uncreative and he seems like the steal of the draft worth something more intimidating. I suggest some sort of contest on this blog. Or at least some others put out some suggestions.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time October 3, 2007 at 1:05 PM
i dought they set ET up to fail theres so many people out there to point a finger at but i am not willing to belive that they just set him up and i am with you on the D-Mac thing we could call him DOM but thats just me and thanks for keeping us up on all the things around the court dave..
Comment from LilGil
Time October 3, 2007 at 3:56 PM
First of all, once again thank’s Dave, great to get to read all this about training camp. Now my lil question, I know the practice is quiet focused on D and that’s great for the reasons we all know. But I was wondering, do the players get into it as much as they have to, and especially, does Gil gets a 100% into it? I’m not asking about Gil especially cuz I’m only concerned about the star, I’m asking about him cuz we know that D is not really his main point in basketball… He said a couple of things last year about what the team needed to improve and as far as I know he asked for a “scorer off the bench” rather then for a new defensive force.
Comment from Terry Burns
Time October 3, 2007 at 4:20 PM
Thanks Dave. I appreciate the feedback. I’ll check in later to get an update on the FA’s.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 5:46 PM
hey gang getting ready for dinner..thought i would check in..it felt like it to me…and eddie jordan confirmed it. the team is ahead of last year…and there is no questions guys are into it..great anecdote about Gilbert..coach Pete Carill made an observation about certain things being difficult to grasp..and then he saw Gilbert execute it on the court..and coach Carill told Eddie…you know I was telling Gilbert that and I didn’t think he was listening…and Eddie told coach Carill Gil listens and he knows good advice.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 5:47 PM
also they have a dily honor role..and Pecherov was on it..eddie noting that he is able to do more in the post than he thought…also Blatche is working out at center and coach Jordan says in today’s athletic NBA that is possible….keep checking back
Comment from wizfan4u
Time October 3, 2007 at 5:50 PM
smchawk—
i am not trying to attack you at all, but what you said about et is heartless man. i am concerned with the man’s LIFE…screw what happeneds to the wizards this season. i wish them well but et’s life is first and foremost! et if you are reading please know that you are in my prayers man. i dont think the wizards are concerned about who they will get next. i am sure eg’s first priority is focusing on et’s health.
and for the record, as a season ticket holder, et and bh left of VERY good terms last year. didn’t you see them talking to each other on the bench or clapping hands once one or the other checkes in towards the season’s end? i’ve got a pretty good source from the wiz organization that said bh and et had talk last season to clear the air and put things behind them. so for all other fans…let the past be the past and focus on this season! and i doubt that frees up cap space. fact of the matter the wizards have him signed for 3 more years. unless they by him with him taking less money (i doubt he will, and he shouldnt) they are stuck with his salary. now i am no expert on this, but this is what i think. anyone, please correct me if i am wrong.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 6:03 PM
apologies for the typing in my last comment..been a long day…it is a daily honor role the Wizards have at camp and Pecherov made it for his effort on Tuesday….to get on the honor role…players have to wow the coaches..everything from making shots to talking on defense
on etan..its scary and we are all hoping he is okay..brendan was more than ready to move forward..on media day brendan pointed out that their disagreements only made them look bad…antawn said it when he said this team has to mature…and you sense that in this year’s camp approach…forget last year….opportunity is now so seize it..that’s what i get from being around this team
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 3, 2007 at 6:14 PM
gang..the reports on day 2 video is now on the web site
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time October 3, 2007 at 8:50 PM
hey no doubt about it i know etan is a great guy i would love to meet him…all my prayewrs go out to him…if he has to retire then so be it…but on the other side we would save up about 7 mil in cap space which we could use to sign Anderson Verajao or use it in free-agency next year…after we sign gil to his max contract and antwan to a 6-7 mil contract
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 3, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Thanks Dave for the video. It sounds like Mr. Blatche may have put down the Nachos this season? I think we all knew Pesh was going to be something a little special. I’m a little concerned with the lack of comments about Mr. Young. I know he can shoot, but, how does his overall “nba” game look? If it looks good we have added 3 pretty good players to a team that’s already a contender. And…. Tony Massenburg… who would have thought that? Good For Him!
As far as the freeing up of cap space, acqusitions, et al. at the expense of Mr. Thomas’ medical condition is outrageous to me! I understand this is a “basketball” blog, but, cmon folks let’s at least act like there is something north of your diaphram.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time October 3, 2007 at 10:38 PM
Oh Dave…. typing and spelling on “here” are always optional.
Comment from neal
Time October 4, 2007 at 7:23 AM
I don’t know whether you guys noticed the implication from Jordan’s media day. He spoke of the “core eight”. They have to be Arenas, Daniels, Stevenson, Butler, Jamison, Songaila, Haywood and Thomas. Then he spoke about Mason when he talked about the “solid nine”. My conclusion is that at this point he considers Mason the primary back-up to Stevenson.
I sure hope we aren’t looking at another case of Jarvis Jitters in Mason. Let’s hope he can start shooting in games like he does in practice.
Comment from DJ-WizardsRadio
Time October 4, 2007 at 7:28 AM
Good morning..again will be blogging from camp today at 11AM…as for the last couple of posts….good point about Roger Mason…there was interest from other teams (Spurs) but he wanted to stay here and we wanted him here and I must say he is having another good camp just like last year..As for Nick Young…nothing to be concerned about..he has looked good at times and other times like all the rookies..is just learning..Eddie said it best for the rookies the NBA games is like golf….just when they think they have it….suddenly they don’t
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Comment from wiz-skins07
Time October 3, 2007 at 9:50 AM
so dave how are the rook’s doing are they practicing defense???…i believe defense should be the focus as well as rebounding of the traning camp we know that we have enough fire power…we have better bench scoring