The Orlando Magic's annual Media Day means that the start of Training Camp is only hours away. All 17 players on the roster for camp met with the media today, in addition to going through photo shoots, video shoots, radio and television interviews and more. Training Camp begins on Saturday at the RDV Sportsplex.
Media Day got underway before noon for some players and went all the way until 4:00. as the Magic's practice court at RDV Sportsplex was taken over by cameras, lights and of course, the media. Players and coaches walking from station to station followed by herds of sports writers and photographers. Just the workout they needed heading into tomorrow's two-a-day training camp.
Some Media Day Highlights...
Stan's Philosophies
There seems to be a consistent response when the players are asked about Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy and his philosophies. Van Gundy and his coaching staff are putting a major emphasis on defense. Players like J.J. Redick and Carlos Arroyo have spoken about their playing time being determined by how well they improve their defense. Offensively, it seems as though Van Gundy is giving the team a lot of freedom. Jameer talked about how Van Gundy isn't going to get in the way of each player's offensive instincts. Van Gundy claims that one of the team's greatest attributes is their versatility and he doesn't want to restrict their abilities.
2007 NBA China Games
Everyone seemed extremely excited about going oversees to play in China. It will be the first trip to China for most of the players, and they are looking forward to their experience. The players also stated that they were looking forward to facing the defending Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers. They added that it would be a good benchmark heading into the start of the season.
High Expectations
It is easy to expect high things at the beginning of training camp but you get the sense that these guys aren't just saying it to please everyone. You actually buy into what everyone is saying about their expectations of winning a championship. New addition Adonal Foyle reiterated this by saying how impressed he is by the entire organization's attitude toward winning.
Dreading camp
Each player I spoke with was looking forward to the season but not looking forward to the start of camp. Veterans like Pat Garrity and Bo Outlaw have little good to say about camp only commenting on how they couldn't wait for the end of it. Keyon summed up each player's sentiment in his blog which he stated that he was happy to be back in Orlando, but not happy to be starting training camp.
Fooling Around
Otis Smith stated the other day that the Orlando Magic is the goofiest team in the NBA. This was evident at media day as the players joked around the entire day. At the ESPN station each player had to read from a cue card. Bo Outlaw took it upon himself to hold the cards for some of the players all while trying to make them laugh. Jameer shouted across the room at Otis to quiet down as he was trying to get instructions from a camera crew. Keyon and Dwight were dancing and singing. The youthful exuberance really comes out of the players when they are all around each other. They made a rather dreadful and repetitive day for themselves quite entertaining.
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