Day 4: Learning Day
By Nick Adams | October 2, 2007
After three demanding and exhausting two-a-days, Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy rewarded the team with just one practice Tuesday which began at 11 AM and concluded at 2:30 PM.
However, the players were not off the hook as the typical physical challenge of Camp Van Gundy was replaced by a practice of mental challenge.
"It was a little different day today because we didn't scrimmage," said Van Gundy. "It was still competitive because we did do some 4 on 4 half court work but we spent most of the day working on our defense sets and spent the last half hour working on our offensive sets."
Van Gundy says he has put in numerous offensive and defensive sets and is able to move at a fast pace because of the players' overall ability to retain information.
He credits not only the player's intellegence, but also their willingness to attend non-voluntary practices in September.
"Most of the guys have been here for a month now, so we were able to tell them our scemes in regard to when they get the ball in certain areas."
Van Gundy continued, "This has made it a lot easier to teach our specific sets because they all have a better idea of what we are trying to accomplish."
The team hasn't done much drill work but instead have focused on getting in condition physically by scrimmaging the past couple of days, and mentally by teaching the details today.
"The best thing about this team so far has been their ability to focus on the one specific thing we learn that day," said Van Gundy. "We try to emphasize a different part of the game each day and they have been able to improve and focus on those specific areas from day to day."
The players focus will be tested tonight as they face the daunting task of preparing for another intense two-a-day tomorrow.
Some Highlights...
Dwight Developing
In order to take his game to the next level, Dwight Howard is trying to develop a spot-up 15 foot jump shot. He is working very hard and has worked on shooting the shot during the scrimmages.
"His shot is a work in progress," said Van Gundy. "His strengths we already know, his ability to run the floor, his offensive rebounding, and his ability near the hoop, but he is working hard to develop that shot and I am confident that he will eventually develop that part of his game."
Van Gundy has doubled Howard down in the post every time he touches it because that is what Howard will be facing much of the season.
Team Strength
The teams major strenght at the offensive end of the floor is their inside/outside game. So far they have shown the ability to shoot the ball well from the perimeter. Obviously, having Dwight inside is a major strength. They have post up players in Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu with good shooters around them.
Shooting Guard
Coming into camp, perhaps the biggest question in regard to a specific position was shooting guard. Van Gundy praised J.J. Redick and Keith Bogans for their play in training camp.
"Both the guys have shot the ball extremely well and have worked hard defensively," added Van Gundy. "They have played very, very well and if anything, that position in the four days of camp has looked like a strength to our team."
Their play will be put to the test as they will go up against Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, and Dwayne Wade in their first three preseason games.
Versatility
Going along with the topic of team strengths, perhaps one of their major strengths is their versatility in their players. Specifically, Trevor Ariza has worked out at shooting guard and small forward, Rashard has worked out at small forward and power forward, and Hedo has worked out at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward.
"We are trying to move all those guys around," Van Gundy added. "They are very versitle players who allow us the freedom of either going small or big with our lineups."
Coach Van Gundy says he wants to come up with at least six different lineups that he can use throughout the course of a game.
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."
Jameer Nelson commented on the fight for the starting role.
"There is nothing I can do but to go out and play hard. I am not going to sit here and cry about it. It isn't up to me who starts, all I can do is play my game and help the team out in any way I can."
The depth at the point guard positon will allow Van Gundy to keep the fast pace in which he intends to incorporate.
Arroyo DNP
Carlos Arroyo did not practice today due to dental issues. He is expected to participate in tomorrow's workout.
After three demanding and exhausting two-a-days, Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy rewarded the team with just one practice Tuesday which began at 11 AM and concluded at 2:30 PM.However, the players were not off the hook as the typical physical challenge of Camp Van Gundy was replaced by a practice of mental challenge.
"It was a little different day today because we didn't scrimmage," said Van Gundy. "It was still competitive because we did do some 4 on 4 half court work but we spent most of the day working on our defense sets and spent the last half hour working on our offensive sets."
Van Gundy says he has put in numerous offensive and defensive sets and is able to move at a fast pace because of the players' overall ability to retain information.
He credits not only the player's intellegence, but also their willingness to attend non-voluntary practices in September.
"Most of the guys have been here for a month now, so we were able to tell them our scemes in regard to when they get the ball in certain areas."
Van Gundy continued, "This has made it a lot easier to teach our specific sets because they all have a better idea of what we are trying to accomplish."
The team hasn't done much drill work but instead have focused on getting in condition physically by scrimmaging the past couple of days, and mentally by teaching the details today.
"The best thing about this team so far has been their ability to focus on the one specific thing we learn that day," said Van Gundy. "We try to emphasize a different part of the game each day and they have been able to improve and focus on those specific areas from day to day."
The players focus will be tested tonight as they face the daunting task of preparing for another intense two-a-day tomorrow.
Some Highlights...
Dwight Developing
In order to take his game to the next level, Dwight Howard is trying to develop a spot-up 15 foot jump shot. He is working very hard and has worked on shooting the shot during the scrimmages.
"His shot is a work in progress," said Van Gundy. "His strengths we already know, his ability to run the floor, his offensive rebounding, and his ability near the hoop, but he is working hard to develop that shot and I am confident that he will eventually develop that part of his game."
Van Gundy has doubled Howard down in the post every time he touches it because that is what Howard will be facing much of the season.
Team Strength
The teams major strenght at the offensive end of the floor is their inside/outside game. So far they have shown the ability to shoot the ball well from the perimeter. Obviously, having Dwight inside is a major strength. They have post up players in Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu with good shooters around them.
Shooting Guard
Coming into camp, perhaps the biggest question in regard to a specific position was shooting guard. Van Gundy praised J.J. Redick and Keith Bogans for their play in training camp.
"Both the guys have shot the ball extremely well and have worked hard defensively," added Van Gundy. "They have played very, very well and if anything, that position in the four days of camp has looked like a strength to our team."Their play will be put to the test as they will go up against Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson, and Dwayne Wade in their first three preseason games.
Versatility
Going along with the topic of team strengths, perhaps one of their major strengths is their versatility in their players. Specifically, Trevor Ariza has worked out at shooting guard and small forward, Rashard has worked out at small forward and power forward, and Hedo has worked out at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward.
"We are trying to move all those guys around," Van Gundy added. "They are very versitle players who allow us the freedom of either going small or big with our lineups."
Coach Van Gundy says he wants to come up with at least six different lineups that he can use throughout the course of a game.
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."
Jameer Nelson commented on the fight for the starting role.
"There is nothing I can do but to go out and play hard. I am not going to sit here and cry about it. It isn't up to me who starts, all I can do is play my game and help the team out in any way I can."
The depth at the point guard positon will allow Van Gundy to keep the fast pace in which he intends to incorporate.
Arroyo DNP
Carlos Arroyo did not practice today due to dental issues. He is expected to participate in tomorrow's workout.
