Backstage with Bernie: Training Camp Scrimmage
October 8, 2006

The Bobcats ended training camp with a scrimmage at Trask Coliseum on the campus of UNC Wilmington in Wilmington, NC, on Sunday. General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff had this to say following the scrimmage:

(On the game)
I thought our intent was good. I think they are doing well. They got the day off yesterday, the legs aren’t there and some of the shots aren’t dropping. But they are getting the shots and the right people are getting them. I thought we were trying to execute in terms of moving the ball from the strong to the weak side. There were a lot of positive things that we did. I liked the unselfishness in terms of sharing the ball.

(On Matt Carroll)
Matt is taking the shots, and what I really like is that they are going in. He’s active. Matt is going to do more than just score for you. He’s going to get some rebounds and take some charges. I think it’s been a really good camp.

(On training camp overall)
I think it went well. Emeka (Okafor) has to get his endurance. I think the one thing we have to do a better job on is that when our bigs are running the floor, we have to make sure we give them the basketball.

(On having training camp in Wilmington)
It was much better because they know the system. The guys came in in much better condition; they were ready. We can’t find any complaints with Wilmington, overlooking the basket falling. I didn’t know Ryan (Hollins) had that much strength (laughs). I think it’s a good place to be. It’s away, and there aren’t many distractions. It’s a good place to come. Everybody is very accommodating in terms of what we are doing, and it’s good.

(On Gerald Wallace)
I think Gerald is more confident. What I’ve seen over the years is people are always talking about how you shoot the ball and where your hand is. I’ve seen guys once they get the confidence, and the ball is going in. That’s the way he’s feeling. He’s been putting some time in with (Assistant Coach Jeff) Capel and working at his consistency.

(On Wallace having a break-out season)
I think this might be his year. I’m a little biased, but I think so. He’s had some success, and that’s where the confidence comes from. What I like about it is his defensive style. He’s getting that reputation, and this league is based on rep.

(On what they will work on leading up to the season)
We have got to have the ability to maintain our focus, and not let anything get to us, in terms of talking and arguing with referees. We’ve got to leave that alone. We’re above that. That is one area that hurt us a lot last year. That’s two losses in a night, and that’s a point of emphasis for us. We lose focus. There were some games that we got out of it. That’s where we have to understand that one individual isn’t that important. It’s about the team. That’s the mindset that we’ve got to have.

(On the attending the New Rules/Referee meeting)
I don’t think there are different rules, it’s just that they are trying to get rid of the constant whining and remarks and everything. I can understand that. They allow you to say what you need to say if you are doing it in an appropriate way.

(On the injury situation)
I feel okay with it. We’re healing, and the goal is to get everybody healthy by November 1. The day off helped us, but it also hurt us in terms of our endurance. It doesn’t take long to lose the endurance.