Bird’s Eye View: From the Ref

Brian Saxon, who in his day job is Junior Magic/Camps Team Leader, is serving as a referee during Magic training camp. Following each day's practice, he will give us his perspective of the action.

JUMP TO DAY ONE | DAY TWO | DAY THREE

DAY FOUR: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
Today’s practice was the most competitive of the week. Emotions ran high as teams rotated through a series of live drills. Most of the time, there are a few roster spots available during training camp. But with 15 players under contract for next year, the players are trying to catch the eye of Coach Davis and his staff, as well as trying to earn playing time. With so many players on this team with the ability to play multiple positions, the staff definitely has their work cut out for them.

The play and spirit of Pat Garrity has truly impressed me all week. He is playing with the passion the made him one of the best shooters in the league. He has showed leadership by being far more vocal than in the past. He is 100% healthy and eager to return to action. Another player that has stood out is Keith Bogans. Keith has worked extremely hard this summer. He has done all of the little things: scrambling for loose balls, rebounding and playing that hard-nosed defense we saw last year.

As this is the final installment of this article, I would like to say that this team has the potential to be very good. All of the components are in place. Every position has talented players with the desire to work and get better as a team. John Weisbrod, Dave Twardzik and Otis Smith have done an outstanding job bringing together this group of players. Now it is up to Coach Davis and the staff to put it all together. And from what I’ve seen all week that may just be the easy part.

DAY THREE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7
The long nights Coach Johnny Davis and Paul Westhead spent this summer designing new offensive sets is paying off big time, as a new set was added in this morning's practice. This set continues the new look with lots of movement of the ball and trying to get shots for sharp-shooters Hedo Turkolu, Pat Garity and Cuttino Mobley.

During the live drills, the intensity level rose significantly. The players are taking pride in their defense and getting mad at themselves when they make mistakes. But their teammates had their back with encouraging words and a slap on the back. The team is really starting to gel.

At last night's practice, Steve Francis showed his overall conditioning and athleticism. In a team sprinting drill he won hands-down. He even commented that he had beaten Issac Bruce in a forty-yard dash. He is a true professional and leader.

The rookie treatment has begun for Mario Kasun. At lunch, he was told by Deshawn Stevenson and Keith Bogans, the he had to go move the van that was parked outside the hotel. With a grin on his face, the 7-foot Croation, got up from his table and moved the van. I am sure it's only the beginning!

And for the record, I did not accept the offer for dinner (see last night's entry)!

DAY TWO: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Practice started again with defensive drills. Coach Ekker had four offensive players on the perimeter, playing against three defenders. The purpose was to learn to rotate on defense to contest every shot. The intensity level was high, as no team wanted to give up an easy shot. Through each rotation of teams, everyone worked extemely hard. So far this team is commited to defense. So much so, that Cuttino Mobley took it personally as sharp-shooting Hedo Turkoglu and Pat Garrity scorched his team with shots. He took it upon himself to come up with a huge block on Turkoglu, then had his sights on Garrity as the buzzer sounded to rotate drills. Mobley has reminded me a lot of Darrell Armstrong this week. He is a fierce competitor, shows leadership, and a comical side when the time is right.

Throughout practice the players have shown a true chemistry. Players are helping one another get in the right place within the new offense. On the defensive end, they are communicating and working together as a unit.

The intensity level of the controlled scrimmages rose as the players got a little more comfortable with each other. Steve Francis showed his all-around game by distibuting the basketball, playing the '2' guard spot and coming up with rebounds amongst the big fellas.

There are competive match-ups at every postion on the floor. Coach Davis and his staff has their work cut out for them dividing up minutes for this talented group.

On the lighter side, a certain player, who will remain nameless, offered dinner at nearby Ruth's Chris in exchange for "protecting him" with favorable calls the rest of camp. What's a hungry ref do to?!

DAY ONE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5
Today's practice was geared on one thing: teaching. Unlike the last four training camps that I have been a part of, this training camp the focus was on teaching and getting familar with new teammates.

This team will be completely different than Magic teams in the past, but not only because of the new faces. A totally different offense is in place and total team effort is expected on defense.

Assistant. coach Ron Ekker spent the first part of the practice on team defense. Players were put on three teams and were taught defensive schemes - to protect the basket, contest every shot, and trust your teammates behind you. Teams on defense had to to get stops to rotate off. The intensity was fierce...a big change from the past where everyone just went through the motions in this basic shell drill.

After a two-minute water break, the new look offense was explained. Magic fans will be pleasantly surprised to see this offense. No more is the pass the ball to #1 and everyone watch! This motion offense is a hybrid of three basic offensive sets: utilizing UCLA cuts, flex cuts and slice cuts to get open. It is constant movement, with players setting screens and coming off screens, and reading the defense to get easy baskets.

The divided teams were sent to each basket to go through the offensive sets, rotating every seven minutes, letting each coach work with each team. Again, the emphasis was on teaching and learning.

Assistant coach Paul Westhead took his turn with what he is known for - fast break basketball! In his system, each player has a spot on the floor to run to. Run as fast as you can, take a good shoot and everyone rebound. The spirited coach ran each team through a drill where everyone got a chance to finish on the break.

Practice concluded with a seven minute controlled scrimmage. The highlights were the play of draft picks Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard and the inspired play of Pat Garrity. Nelson showed a great feel for the game and the abilty to get his teammates the ball. Howard's athleticism is almost scary, and he has shown an outstanding work ethic, putting on 17 pounds since working out with Magic Strength and Conditioning coach Mick Smith. It was great to see a healthy Pat Garrity, running the floor and making shots. In addition, I saw legitimate centers with NBA skills sets, combined with true point guards, and skilled players on the perimeter - this team could be special.