Carroll Enjoying Camp
October 5, 2006

By LAUREN MOSKOWITZ
BobcatsBasketball.com

Over the past 50 hours, Matt Carroll and the rest of his Charlotte Bobcats teammates have had five extensive practices as part of training camp at UNC-Wilmington. They have every reason to be tired and sore, and they’ve even earned the right to appear less than enthused after a difficult workout. Training camp is grueling, and it understandably takes its toll on players.

But toward the end of practice, Carroll is smiling. He’s smiling while he is running baseline-to-baseline sprints, and he’s smiling as he participates in endless circuit training stations. He doesn’t mind the strenuous workouts. He’s just happy to be here.

After playing mostly for the NBDL’s Roanoke Dazzle from 2003-05, with brief stints in Portland and San Antonio, Carroll has a different perspective on training camp. He knows what its like to not be there. He knows what it’s like to not be on a roster, to be rejected from a team, to have to sit and watch on opening night. And because of that, he doesn’t take anything for granted.

“Playing in the NBDL for so long makes me really appreciate where I am now in the NBA,” he said. “I’m never going to take it for granted. I don’t think there is a better job in the world, and I’m fortunate to be able to do what I love.”

Entering his third season with the Bobcats, Carroll finally feels at home in Charlotte. He feels comfortable with his place in the organization, while taking on more of a leadership role to the rookies and younger players.

“I understand the system and what (Head) Coach (Bernie Bickerstaff) wants and expects from me,” the 6-6 guard said. “I know what my role is this year, and I just want to keep improving and getting better.”

In the 2005-06 season, Carroll averaged 7.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 16.3 minutes, appearing in 78 games during his first full NBA season. He shot .403 from the field, and a team-high .821 from the free-throw line. This increased playing time, along with additional workouts during the summer not only improved his basketball skills, but also increased his confidence, something that is apparent to his teammates.

“As he’s stayed in this league and been able to prove that he belongs, his confidence has risen,” guard Brevin Knight said. “You can see a big change from the beginning of last year until now. He’s a great shooter. We are going to rely on him to make shots, and he’ll be there for us. That’s a definite increase in confidence.”

“I definitely think that Matt is more confident this season. He’s more familiar with what we do and with his teammates,” General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. “He’s terrific. He’s a contributor who does a lot of different things, but the one thing he really does is create space for us.”

Carroll is impressed with the way training camp is going and enthusiastic about the upcoming season. He credits the coaching staff for keeping everyone grounded and motivated to compete.

“The level of competition and intensity has really picked up this year. I was really happy and excited about how the first few days went,” the former Notre Dame star said. “We have a good core group of guys coming back this year, so for the most part, everyone knows what’s going on. We have a good grip on what we are going to be doing this year.”

While Carroll is obviously intent on honing his own basketball skills during training camp, his main focus is building team chemistry. With a collective effort, Carroll believes that they have a shot at having a “phenomenal season” and making the playoffs.

“It’s going to be tough because only eight teams from the Eastern Conference make it,” he said. “But if we can keep everybody healthy, I think we can do it.”

Carroll spent most of the offseason in his hometown Philadelphia, training with his brother, Pat, who is in training camp with Dallas, and Jameer Nelson, who plays for Orlando. But in addition to working out together, the Carroll brothers put on four basketball camps for children throughout the Philadelphia area. Focusing mainly on shooting, the camps gave Carroll the chance to give back to the sport he loves so much.

“We just wanted to do something within the community,” he said. “I remember when I was a kid in Philly looking up to NBA players. Now I am an NBA player, so I want to take advantage of that and doing everything I can to motivate these young kids.”

His community efforts are prevalent in the Charlotte area, as well. Along with teammate Sean May, Carroll was a recipient of the 2006 Leadership Charlotte Newcomer of the Year Award, recognizing him for community outreach in the Queen City.

“For people to recognize me for the stuff that I do off the basketball court is especially meaningful to me,” Carroll said. “Often people see your stats and how you do in a game, but they don’t see the things that we do for charity. I have a passion for working with kids. It wasn’t too long ago that I was standing in their shoes and dreaming of playing in the NBA, so I can relate to how kids are and what they are going through. I just try to motivate kids and get them to believe in themselves.”

While Carroll’s teammates are impressed with the camps he ran this summer, there is one summer phenomenon that they are not impressed with – his hair.

Usually short and close cut, Carroll let his hair grow out over the summer, somewhat by mistake. Instead of rushing to the barber shop after the season ended, he waited, figuring that he could get a haircut whenever he wanted since it was the offseason. Eventually he got used to his long locks and never got that haircut. When he returned to Charlotte in October, it was the first time he had seen some of his teammates in several months, since the end of last season.

“I’ve gotten a lot of heat because of my hair,” Carroll said, laughing. “I’ve gotten so many new nicknames in the last couple of days. It’s gotten more attention than I expected, that’s for sure.”

And despite the ridicule he has received from his teammates, his different ‘do has gotten him off the hook when he gets confused on plays, at least temporarily.

“We were running one of our plays from last year, one that I’m supposed to know. I forgot what we were running, and Coach Bickerstaff blamed it on the hair,” Carroll said.

Carroll hasn’t decided if he will cut his hair or keep it long during the season, but he doesn’t mind the good-natured teasing that his teammates, especially Knight, have given him.

“Brevin can say whatever he wants about the hair,” Carroll said. “I played golf with him twice this summer and beat him both times. I was really psyched, and just knowing that I beat him twice in golf is all I care about,” Carroll said.

And throughout it all, Carroll is still smiling.