Practice Quotes, 4/22
Magic Head Coach Doc Rivers
(on the condition of Tracy McGrady's back)
I think he'll be fine tomorrow, I really do. He'll be all right. It is what it is, and when game time starts, I'm betting on Tracy McGrady.
(on the Magic's spirits seeming high)
Well, they better be. We lost a game, we didn't lose the series. We lost a game on the road, we didn't lose the series. We'll be ready tomorrow. Charlotte will be ready tomorrow. I think both teams will play better tomorrow, and if one team doesn't, I just hope it's not us.
(on if there is an advantage to being on the road going through their adversities)
The only advantage is that we get rest. I hate this drag-out philosophy. I understand that the ratings are better, so you have to do it for that. The only advantage for that is that guys are on the road, by themselves, no distractions. They get rest, and we have time to heal, but so do they. If we play tomorrow or today, maybe Mashburn doesn't play at all. So who knows?
(on the condition of Mike Miller)
Mike's good, too. His ankle isn't in that great shape, but he's going to be able to play. Again, I think he'll be better than he was the first game, because that was his first game back. Now, he's back into the game part of the game, the war-mentality thought. He'll be fine.
(on any adjustments they may make)
We worked on adjustments, no doubt. It's strange, last year against the Bucks we worked on all defensive adjustments since the first game was like 120-118, that's heck of a playoff game. This one was 80-79, so we made a lot of offensive adjustments, but we probably made, again, more defensive, too. You do make adjustments, but you don't do anything drastic. You stay who you are and try to do that better than who they are.
(on how he can get Pat Garrity more involved)
That's going to be tough. When they put a small on him, it's very difficult. That's what teams are doing. That's where I think people miss the value of Mike Miller over any other thing. When Mike's on the floor, then Pat Garrity is guarded by a four (power forward) or a five (center). When Mike's off the floor, they're able to put a three or a two on Pat Garrity -- that really takes away his shots.
(on if they had fewer three pointers than normal in Game 1 because of missing Mike Miller)
We got away from it some. I didn't mind the twos because they were good twos. For us to take only six or seven unusual, but again, I don't want the 25. We've been up to 29 and 33 at times. That's a drastic number, too, so if we can meet somewhere in the middle, it would be perfect. Of course, I'd like to make some of them. I think that's even more important. For us to have three points from the three-point line, either means one or two things. It means we didn't get there and take them or Charlotte did a terrific job of taking us out of it. I thought they did a great job of taking Pat (Garrity) out, but not everyone else.
(on if a higher scoring game will be to Orlando's advantage)
I don't know. If you go by that theory, then that first game didn't make any sense, because we had control of that game for most of it in a low-scoring game. The lower scoring game obviously helps the bigger team, because they have a better chance of getting a big rebound in a closer game. If it's a low-scoring game, most likely, it's going to be a close game, because no one's running away from anyone.
(on not being able to grow overnight, but improving rebounding)
We're not going to grow. That's going to be one guarantee. We're going to have to do a better job of rebounding. I use that all the time -- we're not going to grow. When they show up tomorrow, Pat (Garrity's) not going to be a seven-footer. No matter what we do, the stretching techniques we're using are not working, but we do have to be a better rebounding team. We have to do a better job of putting bodies on guys. The only disappointing part of their 20 (offensive) rebounds, 12 of them guys had a free run to the basket. It's tough to rebound a 'big' running to the basket.
(on if he suspects the Hornets and George Lynch will try to bang Tracy McGrady)
I would. Yea, Lynch, that's what he does anyway. I was hearing that he was saying he had to be more physical. That's who Lynch is anyway. He's just going to be who he is. That's what usually the playoffs are. There's no trick. Guys are going to do what they do well. You've got a guy who's not used to banging, banging, and the refs are going to call it. If you have a guy who bangs all the time, the refs aren't, because they're used to him. Lynch is a terrific defender. He does a nice job, he moves his feet, he's a positional defender, and he's strong, and he's tough-minded. We have to deal with that.
(on what Tracy McGrady did in practice)
He shot around. He got out of shooting game with me because I was winning, so he's a quitter (laughing). Other than that, he didn't do much. We didn't want him to do much. He's moving pretty well today, though. I think he's moving far better than he was yesterday.
(on if other players think they need to elevate their games because of McGrady's and Miller's injuries)
They are, but then so are (McGrady) and Mike. I don't let them off the hook either, that's too easy. They're injured, that's the way it is. They're still going to be fine tomorrow, and I hold out on that -- both of those guys tomorrow will have big games for us.
(on what the team did yesterday)
We has a barbecue, we really did. We had a barbecue by the hotel, and we watched film. I thought they had far more interest in the barbecue (laughing). I thought yesterday was more about us watching film and watching what we needed to work on than playing basketball. With this break, you have a lot of time.
Magic Guard Tracy McGrady
(on how his back feels)
It's feeling pretty good. I've just been doing some stretching, keeping my back loose. At times when it tightens up on me, that's when I have a lot of pain. I'm just keeping myself loose, keeping a lot of heat on it and just resting.
(on what happens during the game when it's really hurting)
It's when I make certain movements and when I come down, I feel pain. Right now, I'm feeling pretty good. Hopefully, we won't have to go through that tomorrow.
(on the rebounding disadvantage in Game 1)
We've got to rebound, not only our big guys, but the guards have to get in there and get some rebounds as well. I have to do a better job of getting rebounds. I think I had like three rebounds, which I'm capable of getting more, but my back was really acting up that game. We've just got to do a better job of getting rebounds as a collective group.
(on if he expects the Hornets to be more physical with him)
I don't know. It really doesn't matter. I've been played physical by a lot of guys. If that's what they want to do, then let them do it, but it's really not going to take me out of the game
(on if he felt George Lynch was going after him)
I feel like he was put in to do his job, which is be physical. That's how he plays. He wasn't going out trying to hurt me or anything, that's just how he plays -- just being physical and trying to get the job done.
(on if it's disappointing to have his back aching in the playoffs)
It's real disappointing, because that's what you play for. This is the real season, this is where you have the most fun, this is where you make a name for yourself. For me to go through a season like I did playing well and get to this point where my back is kind of taking over my game, it's just real frustrating, but I'm not going to get discouraged. I know I can play through the pain and still be effective, so I'm still going to play.
(on if it would be more satisfying to play through the pain and lead the team to a win)
Man, that would definitely be a relief, to play through this pain and get the win? That would be great. It would be a great feeling going back home and having more confidence in myself.
(on if he would consider not playing)
No, I'm playing. I don't care how bad. My back was hurting so bad the other night that I could have sat out, but I'm not sitting out.
(on if it's worse when he sits down and has to get back up)
Yes, because it gets tight and gets cold. If I sit out and come out of the game, I just continue to stretch and keep it loose. That way, it doesn't tighten up.
(on if it makes it easier to play Game 2 knowing that he made it through Game 1)
It makes it a lot easier. I think we took a lot away from that game. Even though we lost the game, but I wasn't 100 percent, we had some mental breakdowns towards the end, which is not a good thing, but we're a young team and definitely have to learn from our mistakes. Hopefully, we can play a complete game and start the second half like we did in the first half -- play a complete game that way, as far as executing and playing great defense and just doing all the little things. We're going to play hard, that's not a key. We're going to play hard every night, we've just got to play smarter basketball.
Magic Guard/Forward Mike Miller
(on how his injury is feeling)
It feels better. It's nowhere near where I want it to be, but it feels better.
(on if the days between games helps him and McGrady recover)
It helps a lot. It definitely gives us an opportunity to rest our injuries and give us a chance to at least give it a chance when we do play. The days in between are good for us, especially. We're going to continue to rehab it, and hopefully, it will feel better in the game.
(on if Game 1 served to get the kinks out and if he'll be stronger in Game 2)
I hope so. I hope there are more minutes involved in Game 2, but you've just got to go out there and play. I'll do what I can when Coach (Rivers) puts me in there.
(on if he could have played more in Game 1)
Probably, but the thing is that Coach (Rivers) did a good job with it, too. It's nowhere near 100 percent, so to put me in and run me 38-40 minutes, would have done a disservice for Game 2 and Game 3. I think he did a good job with it. He's been a player, he understands where I'm at, and I'm just going to do what I can when he puts me in there. I told him whenever he calls on me, I'm going to give him what I've got.
(on how much it affected him in Game 1)
It's not where I want it to be, but like I said earlier, no one's ever going to feel sorry for you anyway, so you go out there and do what you're capable of doing while you're out there and just play hard. That's all you can ask for.
Log on to www.nba.com/hornets for Charlotte's practice quotes.
(on the condition of Tracy McGrady's back)
I think he'll be fine tomorrow, I really do. He'll be all right. It is what it is, and when game time starts, I'm betting on Tracy McGrady.
(on the Magic's spirits seeming high)
Well, they better be. We lost a game, we didn't lose the series. We lost a game on the road, we didn't lose the series. We'll be ready tomorrow. Charlotte will be ready tomorrow. I think both teams will play better tomorrow, and if one team doesn't, I just hope it's not us.
(on if there is an advantage to being on the road going through their adversities)
The only advantage is that we get rest. I hate this drag-out philosophy. I understand that the ratings are better, so you have to do it for that. The only advantage for that is that guys are on the road, by themselves, no distractions. They get rest, and we have time to heal, but so do they. If we play tomorrow or today, maybe Mashburn doesn't play at all. So who knows?
(on the condition of Mike Miller)
Mike's good, too. His ankle isn't in that great shape, but he's going to be able to play. Again, I think he'll be better than he was the first game, because that was his first game back. Now, he's back into the game part of the game, the war-mentality thought. He'll be fine.
(on any adjustments they may make)
We worked on adjustments, no doubt. It's strange, last year against the Bucks we worked on all defensive adjustments since the first game was like 120-118, that's heck of a playoff game. This one was 80-79, so we made a lot of offensive adjustments, but we probably made, again, more defensive, too. You do make adjustments, but you don't do anything drastic. You stay who you are and try to do that better than who they are.
(on how he can get Pat Garrity more involved)
That's going to be tough. When they put a small on him, it's very difficult. That's what teams are doing. That's where I think people miss the value of Mike Miller over any other thing. When Mike's on the floor, then Pat Garrity is guarded by a four (power forward) or a five (center). When Mike's off the floor, they're able to put a three or a two on Pat Garrity -- that really takes away his shots.
(on if they had fewer three pointers than normal in Game 1 because of missing Mike Miller)
We got away from it some. I didn't mind the twos because they were good twos. For us to take only six or seven unusual, but again, I don't want the 25. We've been up to 29 and 33 at times. That's a drastic number, too, so if we can meet somewhere in the middle, it would be perfect. Of course, I'd like to make some of them. I think that's even more important. For us to have three points from the three-point line, either means one or two things. It means we didn't get there and take them or Charlotte did a terrific job of taking us out of it. I thought they did a great job of taking Pat (Garrity) out, but not everyone else.
(on if a higher scoring game will be to Orlando's advantage)
I don't know. If you go by that theory, then that first game didn't make any sense, because we had control of that game for most of it in a low-scoring game. The lower scoring game obviously helps the bigger team, because they have a better chance of getting a big rebound in a closer game. If it's a low-scoring game, most likely, it's going to be a close game, because no one's running away from anyone.
(on not being able to grow overnight, but improving rebounding)
We're not going to grow. That's going to be one guarantee. We're going to have to do a better job of rebounding. I use that all the time -- we're not going to grow. When they show up tomorrow, Pat (Garrity's) not going to be a seven-footer. No matter what we do, the stretching techniques we're using are not working, but we do have to be a better rebounding team. We have to do a better job of putting bodies on guys. The only disappointing part of their 20 (offensive) rebounds, 12 of them guys had a free run to the basket. It's tough to rebound a 'big' running to the basket.
(on if he suspects the Hornets and George Lynch will try to bang Tracy McGrady)
I would. Yea, Lynch, that's what he does anyway. I was hearing that he was saying he had to be more physical. That's who Lynch is anyway. He's just going to be who he is. That's what usually the playoffs are. There's no trick. Guys are going to do what they do well. You've got a guy who's not used to banging, banging, and the refs are going to call it. If you have a guy who bangs all the time, the refs aren't, because they're used to him. Lynch is a terrific defender. He does a nice job, he moves his feet, he's a positional defender, and he's strong, and he's tough-minded. We have to deal with that.
(on what Tracy McGrady did in practice)
He shot around. He got out of shooting game with me because I was winning, so he's a quitter (laughing). Other than that, he didn't do much. We didn't want him to do much. He's moving pretty well today, though. I think he's moving far better than he was yesterday.
(on if other players think they need to elevate their games because of McGrady's and Miller's injuries)
They are, but then so are (McGrady) and Mike. I don't let them off the hook either, that's too easy. They're injured, that's the way it is. They're still going to be fine tomorrow, and I hold out on that -- both of those guys tomorrow will have big games for us.
(on what the team did yesterday)
We has a barbecue, we really did. We had a barbecue by the hotel, and we watched film. I thought they had far more interest in the barbecue (laughing). I thought yesterday was more about us watching film and watching what we needed to work on than playing basketball. With this break, you have a lot of time.
Magic Guard Tracy McGrady
(on how his back feels)
It's feeling pretty good. I've just been doing some stretching, keeping my back loose. At times when it tightens up on me, that's when I have a lot of pain. I'm just keeping myself loose, keeping a lot of heat on it and just resting.
(on what happens during the game when it's really hurting)
It's when I make certain movements and when I come down, I feel pain. Right now, I'm feeling pretty good. Hopefully, we won't have to go through that tomorrow.
(on the rebounding disadvantage in Game 1)
We've got to rebound, not only our big guys, but the guards have to get in there and get some rebounds as well. I have to do a better job of getting rebounds. I think I had like three rebounds, which I'm capable of getting more, but my back was really acting up that game. We've just got to do a better job of getting rebounds as a collective group.
(on if he expects the Hornets to be more physical with him)
I don't know. It really doesn't matter. I've been played physical by a lot of guys. If that's what they want to do, then let them do it, but it's really not going to take me out of the game
(on if he felt George Lynch was going after him)
I feel like he was put in to do his job, which is be physical. That's how he plays. He wasn't going out trying to hurt me or anything, that's just how he plays -- just being physical and trying to get the job done.
(on if it's disappointing to have his back aching in the playoffs)
It's real disappointing, because that's what you play for. This is the real season, this is where you have the most fun, this is where you make a name for yourself. For me to go through a season like I did playing well and get to this point where my back is kind of taking over my game, it's just real frustrating, but I'm not going to get discouraged. I know I can play through the pain and still be effective, so I'm still going to play.
(on if it would be more satisfying to play through the pain and lead the team to a win)
Man, that would definitely be a relief, to play through this pain and get the win? That would be great. It would be a great feeling going back home and having more confidence in myself.
(on if he would consider not playing)
No, I'm playing. I don't care how bad. My back was hurting so bad the other night that I could have sat out, but I'm not sitting out.
(on if it's worse when he sits down and has to get back up)
Yes, because it gets tight and gets cold. If I sit out and come out of the game, I just continue to stretch and keep it loose. That way, it doesn't tighten up.
(on if it makes it easier to play Game 2 knowing that he made it through Game 1)
It makes it a lot easier. I think we took a lot away from that game. Even though we lost the game, but I wasn't 100 percent, we had some mental breakdowns towards the end, which is not a good thing, but we're a young team and definitely have to learn from our mistakes. Hopefully, we can play a complete game and start the second half like we did in the first half -- play a complete game that way, as far as executing and playing great defense and just doing all the little things. We're going to play hard, that's not a key. We're going to play hard every night, we've just got to play smarter basketball.
Magic Guard/Forward Mike Miller
(on how his injury is feeling)
It feels better. It's nowhere near where I want it to be, but it feels better.
(on if the days between games helps him and McGrady recover)
It helps a lot. It definitely gives us an opportunity to rest our injuries and give us a chance to at least give it a chance when we do play. The days in between are good for us, especially. We're going to continue to rehab it, and hopefully, it will feel better in the game.
(on if Game 1 served to get the kinks out and if he'll be stronger in Game 2)
I hope so. I hope there are more minutes involved in Game 2, but you've just got to go out there and play. I'll do what I can when Coach (Rivers) puts me in there.
(on if he could have played more in Game 1)
Probably, but the thing is that Coach (Rivers) did a good job with it, too. It's nowhere near 100 percent, so to put me in and run me 38-40 minutes, would have done a disservice for Game 2 and Game 3. I think he did a good job with it. He's been a player, he understands where I'm at, and I'm just going to do what I can when he puts me in there. I told him whenever he calls on me, I'm going to give him what I've got.
(on how much it affected him in Game 1)
It's not where I want it to be, but like I said earlier, no one's ever going to feel sorry for you anyway, so you go out there and do what you're capable of doing while you're out there and just play hard. That's all you can ask for.
Log on to www.nba.com/hornets for Charlotte's practice quotes.
