http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/421875.html
Marty Mac's World: NBA training camp is simply too short
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Published 6:12 am PDT Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
The Kings held their first practice of the 2007-08 NBA season last Tuesday and tonight they meet the Seattle SuperSonics in the first exhibition game.
This is what the NBA calls training camp? Six days of practices, even with two workouts on a few of those days, is not enough for teams to get ready for a season.
Who knows how it would work, but the NBA might want to look at extending the time teams work together before beginning preseason play. Maybe it's something that must be worked out between the league and the National Basketball Players Association but, hey, imagine this: It might just improve the product. Moreover, it might result in fewer injuries. It seems to me every year more and more players open the season with nagging injuries that can stay with them for a long time.
Coaches can be consulted on this concept, and perhaps they can agree not to Pat Riley their players with long, grueling practices that are so dreaded players actually consider that before signing to play for Miami. Perhaps with more practice time, there would be no need for two-a-day workouts.
Off and running
For the first time in memory, the Kings' preseason opener will be the first time I get to see the team actually play basketball. Due to a quirk in my schedule and the Kings' practice schedule, I've yet to see them scrimmage during the three practices I have attended.
One thing I have seen, however, is the Kings run. New coach Reggie Theus has said he wants his team to play at a faster tempo and that means they have to be ready to do so, and capable of running and running and more running.
Theus said he told players during the offseason what was coming.
"Yeah, I've been told that," he said Saturday when informed the Kings appeared to be running more in camp than ever. "I told them how it was going to be. And they did a pretty good job of coming into camp in shape."
Yet, amazing as it seems, one thing many high-performance athletes hate is running. Many of them absolutely rather would eat cauliflower and Cream of Wheat mixed together for breakfast than run for the sake of conditioning. But put a loose ball up for grabs with a potential two points at the other end and they'll bust their humps without even thinking about what they are doing.
Tonight, what I want to see is how the Kings use all that running. There is so much that can be done to teams with nonstop, hard running. Defensively, the ability and will to sprint back and get set can determine the outcome of a game. The willingness to end a defensive possession by running hard to fill the wings can make for easier shot opportunities at the other end.
It also gives the offense more time to attack a defense if players are set up to run their sets with 19 seconds on the shot clock instead of 16 or fewer. I want to see if everybody runs -- not 85 percent or 90 percent but everybody, and on every possession. The Kings are not the most talented crew in the league, so whether they know it or not, they are going to have to get it done by playing harder, smarter and more together than their opponents.
And, another thing
First, a Bee columnist talks about how good a coach Theus says he'll be (which he hasn't) and then addresses the job he has done so far. Then the powers that be in the sports department solicit readers' opinion on Theus' performance.
What is up? Yo, the cat hasn't coached an exhibition game, much less a regular-season game. There will be plenty of time to assess this dude and praise him or dog him, even. However, this is not the time. Not even close.
Marty Mac's World: NBA training camp is simply too short
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Published 6:12 am PDT Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2
The Kings held their first practice of the 2007-08 NBA season last Tuesday and tonight they meet the Seattle SuperSonics in the first exhibition game.
This is what the NBA calls training camp? Six days of practices, even with two workouts on a few of those days, is not enough for teams to get ready for a season.
Who knows how it would work, but the NBA might want to look at extending the time teams work together before beginning preseason play. Maybe it's something that must be worked out between the league and the National Basketball Players Association but, hey, imagine this: It might just improve the product. Moreover, it might result in fewer injuries. It seems to me every year more and more players open the season with nagging injuries that can stay with them for a long time.
Coaches can be consulted on this concept, and perhaps they can agree not to Pat Riley their players with long, grueling practices that are so dreaded players actually consider that before signing to play for Miami. Perhaps with more practice time, there would be no need for two-a-day workouts.
Off and running
For the first time in memory, the Kings' preseason opener will be the first time I get to see the team actually play basketball. Due to a quirk in my schedule and the Kings' practice schedule, I've yet to see them scrimmage during the three practices I have attended.
One thing I have seen, however, is the Kings run. New coach Reggie Theus has said he wants his team to play at a faster tempo and that means they have to be ready to do so, and capable of running and running and more running.
Theus said he told players during the offseason what was coming.
"Yeah, I've been told that," he said Saturday when informed the Kings appeared to be running more in camp than ever. "I told them how it was going to be. And they did a pretty good job of coming into camp in shape."
Yet, amazing as it seems, one thing many high-performance athletes hate is running. Many of them absolutely rather would eat cauliflower and Cream of Wheat mixed together for breakfast than run for the sake of conditioning. But put a loose ball up for grabs with a potential two points at the other end and they'll bust their humps without even thinking about what they are doing.
Tonight, what I want to see is how the Kings use all that running. There is so much that can be done to teams with nonstop, hard running. Defensively, the ability and will to sprint back and get set can determine the outcome of a game. The willingness to end a defensive possession by running hard to fill the wings can make for easier shot opportunities at the other end.
It also gives the offense more time to attack a defense if players are set up to run their sets with 19 seconds on the shot clock instead of 16 or fewer. I want to see if everybody runs -- not 85 percent or 90 percent but everybody, and on every possession. The Kings are not the most talented crew in the league, so whether they know it or not, they are going to have to get it done by playing harder, smarter and more together than their opponents.
And, another thing
First, a Bee columnist talks about how good a coach Theus says he'll be (which he hasn't) and then addresses the job he has done so far. Then the powers that be in the sports department solicit readers' opinion on Theus' performance.
What is up? Yo, the cat hasn't coached an exhibition game, much less a regular-season game. There will be plenty of time to assess this dude and praise him or dog him, even. However, this is not the time. Not even close.
