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Jameer Nelson SI Interview
Topic Started: Aug 3 2009, 10:20 AM (208 Views)
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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ...lson.questions/

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SI.com: In previous summers, you've organized team workouts near your home in Pennsylvania. Will it be business as usual this summer?

JN: We're trying to piece it together because our team was in transition. For the most part, the big guns have committed -- Vince [Carter], Dwight [Howard] and Rashard [Lewis]. After those guys have committed, no one can really back out unless they have some type of serious issue.

This year we're doing it from the 16th through the 22nd of August. We do it at the same facility every year, same gym at Haverford College. We'll work out with my trainers -- conditioning drills, weightlifting, stuff to get your body right. The basketball stuff we do is later in the afternoon. We do that for about 2-3 hours.

Afterward, we'll mix up the nightlife. We always do a dinner. Other days we'll do paintball or bowling, maybe go to the movies.

SI.com: As you said, the Magic were in transition this summer, and no change was bigger than losing Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto and bringing in Carter. Are you surprised that Hedo didn't return?

JN: We all wanted him back, but we all know this is a business and we wanted Hedo to make the best decision for him and his family. I support his decision. He'll be a friend to me no matter what, and I'm going to support him, other than when we play him.

SI.com: How will the team look different with Vince in and Hedo out?

JN: It won't really be different. Both of those guys have the ball in their hands a lot. They both make plays. Vince is probably a better athlete, but they're both great shooters and great passers. So it's not like we are losing skills. They are pretty much equal in terms of their style of play. I think Vince will be that one player that we always needed.

SI.com: Adding Vince wasn't the only change. What will bringing Matt Barnes and Brandon Bass in mean?

JN: Matt spaces the floor out because he's able to shoot the three and he's also able to put the ball on the floor and handle his position [defensively] pretty well. At times I think we lacked that toughness. And in this case toughness means blocking out, toughness means taking charges, toughness means doing the dirty things, but in a legal way. I think those two guys bring that.

SI.com: How essential was it to bring back Marcin Gortat?

JN: He's a big piece to our puzzle. He never gets out of line. Obviously, he wants more playing time and wants a bigger role, and one day he's going to get that role. Right now, though, he's on a team that needs him to do a service. We're all out there getting paid to do something. Ultimately, the goal should be to win a championship; after that everybody should be satisfied and happy and ready to go win another one.
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