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Training Camp Notes: Landry Ready to Bounce Back

Carl Landry is close to 100-percent.

That was the best news the seventh-year pro heard from his trainers and the coaching staff following the second day of Kings Training Camp in Sacramento.

After suffering through one of his most troublesome seasons in the NBA, the former Purdue Boilermaker approached his long offseason like he was back in school.

“[My summer] was like a way for me to study for the final exam and today was the final exam,” he said. “You can’t simulate what we did yesterday or today.”

Landry was hard at work on the court – running sprints, honing his jump shot, distributing the basketball and cleaning the glass. Yet, his grind doesn’t stop with the final whistle.

Following the first session of the day and a quick six-minute conversation with the media, the 6-foot-9, 248-pound forward heads to the training room, where he receives treatment on his surgically-repaired knee.

“I’ve never really been hurt [in my pro career], but you know what they say, ‘when it rains, it pours,’” he stated. “Last year was definitely a difficult season for me, but I attacked my rehab this summer and I’m doing well right now.

“I’m just trying to come out here and work hard and stay healthy through the whole season.”

As he talked to local reporters, sweat beaded on his forehead – evidence from a rigorous non-contact, but heavy running practice.

“Training camp is Training Camp – it’s not supposed to be easy,” he said with a smirk. “It’s a challenge for each and every one of us, but I feel good.”

Good enough to throw in a few jokes with the media.

“Wherever Coach wants to play me, I’ll play – the three, the four, the five, if he wants me to bring up the ball and be a facilitator – I’m just a team player,” he said in jest before answering the question. “We need guys to buy-in and be team players – play for one another – that’s where I’m at.”

With more than a half-decade of experience under his belt, Landry’s confidence is ever apparent. Now that he’s healthy and back at work, he’s looking to set the tone for the younger players at camp.

Offense Still Flows Through Rudy and DMC:

There’s no secret who the cornerstones on the Kings are.

DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay will undoubtedly garner the majority of the opposing team’s attention, but that doesn’t mean Coach Michael Malone will shy away from feeding them the ball in key moments.

“There are going to be [times] in the game when we need a basket,” stated Malone, “and we’ll go to our best players and put them in positions where they are most effective. So we’re going to play through DeMarcus at times… and put Rudy in the post-ups or pick-and-rolls, but even Rudy himself said he held the ball too much [last season] and he wasn’t the only one.”

All summer long, Malone has emphasized a pass-first, free-flowing, position-less offensive approach. That’s what the second-year leader has implemented through camp thus far - demanding ball and player movement, while teaching all newcomers the nuances of his system.

“If Rudy has a shot or DeMarcus has a shot – great,” said Malone. “If you don’t have anything, read the defense. If they’re collapsing on you, kick it to an open teammate and let him make a play.”

The coaching staff knows that each practice – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon – represents a chance to get better. With rotating contact and non-contact practices in place and a number of live scrimmages planned, each player has a handful of chances to shine.

“As we talked about on media day, there are a lot of oppositions to be had,” stated Malone. “The best way to see that is to let these guys play and clean it up as we go.”

Boogie Becoming Vocal Defensive Leader After Team USA Stint:

At 6-foot-11, there was no hiding Boogie Cousins on the national stage this summer.

Despite being surrounded by All-Stars and some of the most-talented players in the NBA on Team USA, Sacramento’s star center stood out from the crowd by displaying an unrelenting motor, a knack for second-chance opportunities and a tough, hard-nosed approach on defense.

“I thought DeMarcus showed tremendous discipline this summer in playing the right way and taking what the defense gives you,” admitted Malone. “That’s why guys like playing with him.”

While his offensive prowess was easily recognizable, No. 15’s defense was what left most onlookers impressed.

“What I loved about DeMarcus [this summer] was that he talked [more] than any of the bigs on [Team USA],” stated the Kings coach. “Constant communication – letting the guards know what was going on and calling out the pick-and-rolls. I want him to continue to have that voice here.”

No stranger to defensive schemes, Malone thinks DMC’s new habits will translate to his own system very well. In fact, Sacramento’s leader used to work with Tom Thibodeau – Team USA’s assistant coach – under Jeff Van Gundy in New York and admits the two share a lot of common defensive beliefs.

“They were a very good defensive team,” admitted Malone. “Their defense was generating a lot of turnovers which created a lot of easy offense for them. I just want him to continue to be a talker, a communicator and be the anchor of our defense.”

D-Thrill From Downtown:

Although he only played three games with the Kings during Summer League in July, Derrick Williams saw his hard work pay off.

“Coach told me to get as many shots up as possible [this past summer], and it’s helping,” he admitted after practice on Sunday. “My shot is more consistent and that’s the main thing – knocking down shots consistently throughout the season.”

No. 13 knocked down 2-of-5 attempts from long range in those three outings at the Las Vegas tournament, while shooting an efficient 42-percent from the floor overall. He attributes his progression to his strenuous offseason routine.

“I shot around 1,000 shots a day for about a month straight,” he stated, referencing his training program from his home in Los Angeles.

The La Mirada, Calif. native hopes his improved stroke will earn him solid minutes on a squad, which is deep at the forward position. With veterans like Landry, Reggie Evans and Jason Thompson, as well as newcomer Eric Moreland, on the depth chart at power forward and Rudy Gay holding down the small forward spot, Williams will be counting on his efficiency and versatility to gain an edge heading into the regular season.

“You need multiple forwards on the team,” he stated. “We’re all different. I’m different than Carl, Carl is different than J.T. – we all have different aspects [in] our game.”

The fourth-year pro, who originally joined the team in a trade with Minnesota in late November last year, says a full offseason with the Kings has helped, especially when it comes to learning the playbook.

“Last year, I kind of got thrown into the fire,” said Williams. “Coach put me right in [despite] not knowing too many of the plays. Now, I have a full training camp [along with] Rudy and Carl, who was hurt last year. So as long as we’re healthy, I think we’ll be pretty good.”

As well as improving his perimeter shot, the 6-8, 240-pounder hopes to become a better rebounder and consistently attack the rim and get to the free throw line.

“I just want to be a knock-down shooter,” he stated. “If I’m open – knock it down.”

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