Day 3 of Training Camp
By Nick Adams | October 1, 2007
Monday's practice started the third day of Camp Van Gundy, and it picked up right were the other two left off - long and intense.
"We are still getting great intensity," stated Coach Van Gundy. "We are getting a great idea of the pace we want to play and because of that we are getting good conditioning out of it."
The team scrimmaged again today to a 52-52 tie, and the high scoring was not a result of a lack in defense but rather a result of a fast pace style of play.
"You will never hear us having a practice where there isn't maximum intensity because Coach Van Gundy will not allow that," added Keyon Dooling.
Van Gundy likes the scrimmaging and fast pace practices because it gets the players in better shape and he gets a chance to see the guys play together.
However, Van Gundy hopes to slow down things a bit in the next couple of days to focus more on the details.
"Tomorrow we will take one practice where we won't necessarily scrimmage but rather work on some details," said Van Gundy. "For the most part I think they have picked up the basics of what we want to do and it's going to take a lot of time but we are going to start getting to the specifics."
Van Gundy mentioned they have a lot of offensive sets in already, and doesn't mind confusing the players right now.
"We just keep adding new stuff in every night so there is a little confusion, not to mention we have a ton of guys playing a lot of different positions."
Van Gundy continued, "I have been a firm believer in putting a lot of stuff in early so if they are going to be confused, let them be confused next week in the exhibition games, and let them be confused in China, so once the season starts, they will be more prepared.
The players have plenty to prepare for as Day Four of Camp Van Gundy presumes early tomorrow morning at RDV Sportsplex.
Some 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."
Team Bonding
Coach Van Gundy isn't receptive to the whole team bonding concept. He claims that the team will be together for the next eight months, and if they can't bond in that time, then there is something wrong.
Van Gundy says he has been around a lot of guys who like each other on the court, and get along well, but that doesn't mean it translates to the court. He wants his players to be vocal with each other and that has nothing to do with being anybody's best friend.
"I don't have to worry to much about this group bonding because everyone seems to get along really well, " stated Van Gundy. "I would rather have the guys bond over team goals more than anything."
Monday's practice started the third day of Camp Van Gundy, and it picked up right were the other two left off - long and intense."We are still getting great intensity," stated Coach Van Gundy. "We are getting a great idea of the pace we want to play and because of that we are getting good conditioning out of it."
The team scrimmaged again today to a 52-52 tie, and the high scoring was not a result of a lack in defense but rather a result of a fast pace style of play.
"You will never hear us having a practice where there isn't maximum intensity because Coach Van Gundy will not allow that," added Keyon Dooling.
Van Gundy likes the scrimmaging and fast pace practices because it gets the players in better shape and he gets a chance to see the guys play together.
However, Van Gundy hopes to slow down things a bit in the next couple of days to focus more on the details.
"Tomorrow we will take one practice where we won't necessarily scrimmage but rather work on some details," said Van Gundy. "For the most part I think they have picked up the basics of what we want to do and it's going to take a lot of time but we are going to start getting to the specifics."
Van Gundy mentioned they have a lot of offensive sets in already, and doesn't mind confusing the players right now.
"We just keep adding new stuff in every night so there is a little confusion, not to mention we have a ton of guys playing a lot of different positions."
Van Gundy continued, "I have been a firm believer in putting a lot of stuff in early so if they are going to be confused, let them be confused next week in the exhibition games, and let them be confused in China, so once the season starts, they will be more prepared.
The players have plenty to prepare for as Day Four of Camp Van Gundy presumes early tomorrow morning at RDV Sportsplex.
Some 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.
ReboundingVan 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."
Team Bonding
Coach Van Gundy isn't receptive to the whole team bonding concept. He claims that the team will be together for the next eight months, and if they can't bond in that time, then there is something wrong.
Van Gundy says he has been around a lot of guys who like each other on the court, and get along well, but that doesn't mean it translates to the court. He wants his players to be vocal with each other and that has nothing to do with being anybody's best friend.
"I don't have to worry to much about this group bonding because everyone seems to get along really well, " stated Van Gundy. "I would rather have the guys bond over team goals more than anything."
