Bobcats Open 2007 Summer Camp
The Charlotte Bobcats began their 2007 Summer Camp on Tuesday with veterans Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison, Ryan Hollins and Alan Anderson in camp, along with rookies Jared Dudley and Jermario Davidson and a host of other hopefuls hoping to find a spot on an NBA roster. Morrison, Felton, Dudley and Okafor all spoke to the media following Monday's practice.
FORWARD ADAM MORRISON
(On what bothered him last season)
(On if he has gained any weight in the offseason)
(On the first workout with new head coach Sam Vincent)
(On if the wing positions are crowded with Gerald Wallace, Matt Carroll and Jason Richardson)
(On how difficult his first year in the NBA was with all of the high expectations)
GUARD RAYMOND FELTON
(On his goals for the upcoming season)
(On the possibility of making the playoffs next year)
(On if the Phil Ford hiring was a surprise?)
(On the release of Brevin Knight)
(On the pressure placed on him)
(On the excitement of playing with Jason Richardson)
(On his thoughts when the trade for Richardson was made)
(On Sean May)
(On if he has spoken to Gerald Wallace)
(On the style of play wanted from him)
FORWARD JARED DUDLEY
(On how his life has changed recently)
(On playing with some of his new teammates)
(On the first day of practice compared to the predraft workout)
FORWARD EMEKA OKAFOR
(On the first workout with new head coach Sam Vincent)
(On how he feels physically)
(On the playoff possibilities this season)
(On if he has spoken to Gerald Wallace)
July 4, 2007
(On how he has improved from last season)
I’ve got a strength coach back in Spokane, Washington and I’m just trying to carry it over to here. This year, I’m going to take all of the pressure off of myself. I think there’s more pressure on the other guys now and I can be a second or third guy. Last year, I let things bother me that I shouldn’t have and I’m just going to go out and have fun this year.
Just my play. I didn’t play as well as I’d like to. I read too much stuff, I listened to the fans and I shouldn’t have. Although a lot of it wasn’t negative, I just have to learn to not let things bother me.
I’ve gained a little bit. I’ve gotten stronger and I’m just trying to work as hard as I can in the weight room and get better.
It was tough but good. I’m excited we made some moves. We’ve got a chance to be good. I’m looking forward to working with (Vincent). He’s motivating and he’s ready to go.
Maybe so. It’s hard to say. That’s why they have the upper management – Mike (Jordan) and all those guys to do that stuff. There’s definitely going to be some competition at the wing spot. But I’ll try to fit in somewhere and hopefully be able to play.
The way I look at it is that I didn’t play great but I averaged around 12 points a game. I just want to clean some things up and try to change some things and go out and help this organization.
(On having a lot of pressure to perform well this season)
That’s what I love. I played with pressure most of my life and that’s what I’m looking forward to the most. That’s why I’m out here working hard and showing my leadership. I’m going down to Orlando to play in maybe one or two summer league games, just to show my support by staying around there and hanging out with the guys.
My goal is to try and get myself prepared to make this team as good as possible. We could have made the playoffs last year, but unfortunately we didn’t. There were some games that we should have won and we also had a couple of injuries. We’re going to try to clear up those things from the beginning of the season. We always finish the season strong, but we need to have a better start this season.
I feel very positive about that. We’ve got a couple of things going for us. We’ve got a new coach and a new coaching staff, but not much has changed. Bernie (Bickerstaff) is still around. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re going to be pushing the ball up and down the court with a lot of fast paced transition stuff, and that’s what I’m used to.
Oh no, it feels good. He’s been a mentor to me since college. Being a point guard at Carolina, he helped me out with a lot of things with that offense and he’s going to continue to help me. I’m glad to have him on board.
We grew a friendship and a strong relationship. It’s definitely hard to see a guy go that you’ve been with for two years. Everybody thought we were going to be against each other and be enemies, but it didn’t turn out that way. So it’s tough to see him go, but I’m not the head man and I don’t make that decision. It’s out of my hands. We’re going to miss him, but at the same time, we’ve got to go with what we’ve got and try to make it work.
They are definitely putting pressure on me, but at the same time, it’s showing me that they have confidence in my game and they believe in me. I’ve got to go out and try to prove they’re right.
J-Rich is going to be one of our standout players. He’s very athletic. Hopefully we’ll sign Gerald (Wallace) back and have the two of them on the wing. Having two very athletic guys on the wing will be tremendous.
I was excited. It’s going to be a lot of fun playing with a guy like J-Rich who can shoot the three, put the ball on the floor and jump out of the gym. Then you’ve got Gerald (Wallace), Adam (Morrison), Emeka (Okafor) and Sean (May). With all of them, I think everything is just coming together.
He’s doing well, he’s going to start playing in August. He’s in great shape and looks good. He’s down in Chapel Hill putting in some work.
I haven’t talked to Gerald lately. He’s just waiting to see what’s going to happen. But I’m positive that we’re going to get him back. I’m pretty confident in that.
Fast break to get the ball up and down the court, but at the same time, be poised and run the offense. That’s mainly it, to get the ball and go. If we can get an easy bucket, lets get it.
(On the first day of practice)
The first day was good. There was a lot of teaching and drills. When I came in today, I felt pretty good. I was a little nervous at first, but that’s how it is. I just kind of shook it off and then I played a lot better towards the end of practice.
It’s completely different. It’s a new home; I’m basically here by myself working out and getting ready for the season. It’s nothing like college because you can’t have practice in the summertime, but for this you can have practice. Even though my season ended, a new season has just begun here. I’m excited. We’re such a young team here with a couple of veteran young players – (Adam) Morrison, (Raymond) Felton, and (Emeka) Okafor – it was nice to see them.
It’s nice. I played against Okafor my freshman year. It’s kind of a dream come true. I feel like I belong here and I feel like I’ve finally arrived.
It was pretty good, but a little different. When we had the workout, you only had about four people here and now you’ve got about 20, so it’s a little bit different. You went hard and definitely broke a good sweat, but it wasn’t as hard as the individual workouts.
(On the upcoming season)
Things are definitely looking good. We made a nice acquisition and I feel like we’re definitely taking the right steps forward.
It was cool. I got a little winded, but that’s expected the first time. I haven’t really had basketball-type speed since the season, but I’ll get used to it.
I feel great. There are still a couple of things that I need to tweak out, but with three months still left in the off-season, I’m more than optimistic.
We’ve had the playoff mind set from the start. I think year by year, we’ve taken steps to come close to realizing that goal. This year, everybody smells it a little bit more because we’re older, wiser and stronger.
No, I haven’t talked to him about the contract or anything. I’m just kind of staying out of his hair about that one.
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