By Nick Adams | October 4, 2007

Thursday's practice was a much anticipated day for the players as it was the last of the two-a-day Camp Van Gundy practices. The practice was not as physical as the team prepared for tomorrow's intersquad scrimmage.

The team did not scrimmage and worked on their half court sets. The bulk of the sets being defensive but Van Gundy "threw them a bone" at the end of practice with a brief offensive instruction.

In order to prepare for tomorrow's scrimmage and the exhibition games, the team will work on some "dummy" offenses in the second practice. Van Gundy says they will put in some out-of-bounds plays, and do some offensive breakdown drills with no contact.

Van Gundy isn't to worried about the team's progress and isn't putting any pressure them.

"I have no expectations for tomorrow," said Van Gundy. "We have been practicing for the last week or so for over five hours each day, so I don't know really what to expect. All I want is for our guys to come out and play hard, and I know they will do that."

Overall Van Gundy has been pleased with the team's training camp.

"I am thrilled with our progress. The work ethic and intensity has been there everyday and it's been a wonderful group of guys to coach because they all work well together and play hard."

Van Gundy added, "The work ethic has been great and I think we have a great understanding of how we want to play the game and now it is just about refining everything."

The team will have a short time to refine as they have their first exhibition game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, October 8th at Amway Arena.

Some Highlights...

Surprises with Star
Coach Van Gundy has been surprised with Rashard Lewis' ability to pass the basketball.

"Everyone knows what Rashard can do as far as scoring the basketball," added Van Gundy, "but I never realized how good of a passer he is."

Van Gundy continued, "I knew he was a capable passer but he has really impressed me with his ability to create open looks for his teammates and that is a positive for us when he gets double teamed which will happen throughout the season."

As Coach was praising his star player, Lewis threw in a three-quarters court shot that hit nothing but the bottom of the net.

Defending the Post
With losing Tony Battie for the season, it forces Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Trevor Ariza to play multiple positions. Their versatile offensive talents will be an advantage when facing taller more physical players. However, it creates match-up problems for the Magic at the defensive end.

Today the three worked on defending the team's power forwards and centers. They were able to hold their own with help coming from the weak side.

Hedo, Rashard, and Trevor have all seen time playing shooting guard, small forward, and power forward.

"Sometimes I get confused when they are out there at the same time because each of them play those positions and at times during the game they will switch without me knowing and I won't know which guy is playing which position."

The team can turn the opportunity of a small lineup into an advantage if they can work together defensively to help those guys defend the post.

Sharp Shooters
The two guard position was not a shooting position last season. This year's candidates for the job J.J. and Keith Bogans are good perimeter shooters. With small lineup capabilities, which Stan plans to use a lot, the three and four positions will both be shooters as well. J.J., Bogans, Hedo, Rashard, Pat Garrity, and even Jameer Nelson all can shoot the ball well from the perimeter which should be a strength for the team heading into the season.

Anticipation
Coach Van Gundy and the players have expressed their anticipation of Monday's first exhibition game. Everyone is tired of going up against each other every day because they have become accustomed to each other's tendencies. Facing a new opponent is something everyone is looking forward to and Coach Van Gundy is awaiting the opportunity to learn more about his team.

"I have always said there is no such thing as a bad exhibiton game," added Van Gundy. "They will expose our strengths and weaknesses as a team, and I am looking forward to seeing what we have to work with."

The team will have three exhibiton games at Amway Arena next week against the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, and the Miami Heat. The team then will travel to China to face the China National Team and the Cleveland Cavaliers before heading back home to face the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, October 25th.

Keyon Update
Keyon Dooling did not practice again today due to a sore groin. He is not expected to practice before Monday's exhibition game in hopes that the rest will allow him to play then.