Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
NOTE FROM THE FORUM OWNER:

We had a long, enjoyable run, and I would like to thank every Orlando Magic fan who contributed to our small community on the web. This message board will be left online as an archive into the thoughts and minds of a group of Magic fanatics who lived through a 21-win season, the drafting of Dwight Howard, and an eventual NBA Finals appearance. You can also visit the original MagicMadness Forum at http://orlandomagic.proboards.com.

Special thanks to our Staff Members: Black and Blue, MAGICMANEVAN, and NYCMagicFan!

MagicMadness
Forum Owner
Add Reply
Training Camp Thread; The latest on the training camp
Topic Started: Sep 29 2007, 10:23 PM (1,275 Views)
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
Hi guys! I suppose we could start a thread where we can post and read the latest news on the training camp. I am pumped up to start the new season - after a long offseason.

Here's what happened on Day-1 of training camp courtesy of orlandomagic.com.

Quote:
 

DAY-1
Today at 9:00AM began the first of two practices for the team as they began training camp. The team will be having two-a-day practices at RDV Sportsplex up until Thursday, October 4th.

While practices are closed to the media, Coach Stan Van Gundy opened up his first practice session at noon for the media and OrlandoMagic.com jumped at the opportunity to catch the last 30 minutes of practice.

The practice was extremely loud and intense. You heard the skreetch of the sneakers, the players loudly communicating and Van Gundy vocalizing exactly what he wanted to see happen.

....

Practice Highlights...

Focus and Intensity
As mentioned before, the focus and intensity in the gym was overwhelming. All of the the players had a look of focus and determination on their faces. The ever-smiling Dwight Howard had a stern glare. The always-talking Keyon Dooling, was still talking, but about defensive rotations.

Communication
Communication is a major factor in basketball and is credited to a team's success on defense. If that is any indication then the Magic should have a solid defense this season. There was never silence in the gym and the players were always talking. You could always hear the deep low-pitched voice of Bo Outlaw over everyone yelling, "Backside, Backside". On top of the players talking on the floor, you had the players chatting and cheering on the sidelines. Carlos Arroyo always clapping encouraging his teammates.

Part of the keys to good communication is being a good listener and paying attention to what someone is saying. The players stopped verbally when Van Gundy stopped them to teach.

"Everyone listens when Coach is speaking," Adonal Foyle said. "He is a very good teacher and it will only benefit our team to listen to what he has to say."



Read the whole article here

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICMANEVAN
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
Staff Members
Nice article. I love when training camp starts because its time to get back to business and it all starts now with hard work if you want to win.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICmanSAM
Member Avatar
God is LOVE
I am so excited to be talking Magic Basketball again. I feel really bad about Tony Battie. If you watch his interview on orlandosentinel.com, you'll notice how bummed out he is after having what he calls a very good summer.

Looking at the bright side. It's better that this injury happened before training camp so now they know exactly what they need to focus on in training camp.

GO MAGIC!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
magiclive
Member Avatar
#1 Magic Fan
The injury to Battie sucks, but I'm sure SVG can work around it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
Seems like the broken bone in JJ's hand is not an issue. He is doing very well in the camp.

Quote:
 
The Bright Orange Construction Cone
The first training camp practice of the day was complete. Three hours in the books. And that’s when it came out: The bright orange construction cone.

Assistant coach Bob Beyer placed it just outside the lane. J.J. Redick started from the baseline, made a tight curl as if coming off a pick, caught the feed from Beyer, and tickled the twine. A set from the right. A set from the left. Do it again.

Redick is right back where he belongs: healthy…on the floor working…re-constructing his game.

....

He longs to be in the Magic rotation, to contribute, and you can just feel his presence as he is truly back in his element.


Full GHF Article

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
Quote:
 

DAY 2 Highlights

Rashard's D

Coach Van Gundy commented that as aggresive as Rashard is on the offensive end, he works his tail off on the defensive end. Rashard is working hard defensively, taking what the team is trying to do on 'D' to heart.

"He is a pretty quiet guy," said Van Gundy, "but in these two days I think it is clear to everybody Rashard's effort and intensity. He is really serious about winning."

Everyone knows that Rashard can do offensively, but having one of your best players dedicated defensively really benefits the entire team.

Unselfishness

Whenever there has been a question about a specific player and their progress in camp, generally the answer always turns back to the team.

Coach Van Gundy says he isn't focused on who had really good days but that he is more focused on group efforts. He couldn't single out just one guy in the past couple of days who has impressed him.

....

Raining Threes
Most of the points today came via the three ball. Van Gundy likes the option of the three and wants to use it a little more because he likes the floor spread. The team is not looking for the three- pointer, but want to have the option of outside shooting opportunities when the ball goes into the post.

The team shot a lot today from beyond the arc and made a lot. Last year's team didn't attempt many threes, but shot a good percentage. From the early practices it seems that with J.J. Redick elevating his game, Hedo Turkoglu picking up where he left off and the addition of Lewis, the Magic should be considered a threat from outside this season.



Van Gundy used the three-pointer in Miami to spread out the floor for Shaq and Wade, and looks to do the same for Dwight and Jameer.


Read full article here

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICmanSAM
Member Avatar
God is LOVE
I hope all of this news translates once the season starts.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Pitbullz EP
Member Avatar
Magic in 5
Im hoping all this talk about JJ improving his game WILL translate. Remember the words of the imortal Allen Iverson......."We're talking about practice."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jax Magic
Member Avatar
Starter
Just like any other sport, camp and preseason don't mean a thing. You have to play well when the games count.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
iceveins333
Member Avatar
Rocks blocking shots on guys with dreadlocks
I want JJ to be a key player this year but i'll believe it when i see it

I just remember the eagles website and newspaper hyping up jeremy bloom like he was ready to be the man at PR/KR w/ how great he was looking and he ends up getting cut before the season even started

although i doubt JJ will bust like that im gonna hold back excitement till i see him do it in a game
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
Quote:
 
Day-3 Highlights...

Freedom

A major reason for the high scoring scrimmages has been the offensive freedom Van Gundy has given the players. Van Gundy has been very pleased with what he has seen so far with the team's transition offense and decision making. The team's major emphasis on defense so far can only benefit this face pace style of offense. An intense defense that creates turnovers will lead to the up tempo transition offense Van Gundy is looking for.

Shooting Guard
One of the most intriguing positions at this camp is shooting guard. Due to the departure of Grant Hill, the vacant spot is up for grabs. Players looking to win the starting role include: J.J. Redick, Trevor Ariza, Keyon Dooling, Torrell Martin, Keith Bogans, and Kevin Kruger. Van Gundy says he has gotten a lot of good play out of all those guys. The position is deep, and the competition for the starting role can only benefit the team.

Rebounding
Van Gundy stated that the biggest question in this camp so far has been, "Who is going to rebound besides Dwight?" Coach states that Ariza, for the most part, has been the only other consistent rebounder. There were six guys out of 16 who failed to grab a rebound in yesterday's scrimmage, and three other guys had one rebound.

"I told the guys at every position we are going to need guys who want to help out on the glass," Van Gundy said. "Today guys made a lot better effort in that regard."

Point Guards
Coaches always tend to be harder on their point guards because they are the coaches on the floor. Van Gundy said that the coaching staff has been harder on the point guards more than anyone.

"I have been on all three of those guys pretty hard," Van Gundy said regarding Jameer Nelson, Carlos Arroyo, and Keyon Dooling.

"I want them to take on more leadership. Keyon is the only one who is ready loud. The other two guys are quiet. Not in the sense they don't speak, but rather that they don't talk loudly."

Van Gundy added, "I would like them to get louder, and more nastier in terms of telling other players what to do. We have really got on them defensively which I thought they really improved today."


Link

Looks like rebounding would be a concern.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
I know it's early but I am just excited to get this season going.

Here's the ESPN Power Rankings (Training Camp Edition) that have us on 13th.

Quote:
 

13 - Magic
No team from last season's eight playoff qualifiers in the East did more in the offseason than Orlando. Yet you'd struggle to find anyone picking newcomers Rashard and SVG to lift D-Howard into the elite just yet.


ESPN Power Ranking

:yes:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MAGICmanSAM
Member Avatar
God is LOVE
I like how Van Gundy doesn't care much for bonding, adding that bonding will take place on its own during the season. He's more concerned of what happens on the court. Our teams lately have been too "nice."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
Looks like the PG position is still up for grabs.

Link to Article

Quote:
 

DAY-4
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."



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
gomagic33
Member Avatar
Mr. Anderson
Foyle is intense. ;)

Posted Image

:lol: :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Orlando Magic Locker Room · Next Topic »
Add Reply