Denton's Observations From Training Camp: Day 1
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By John Denton
September 28, 2010
ORLANDO -- Here are five things that I’ve seen and learned from Magic Media Day and the first day of the training camp. We’ll do these look-ins at various times throughout camp, the preseason and the regular season.
1. Point guard Jameer Nelson said that he didn’t take offense to the talk that the Magic looked into trading for all-star Chris Paul over the summer. Nelson is confident in his abilities and felt certain that the Magic weren’t looking to deal him.
Said Nelson: ``I know to believe half of what you hear and none of what you see. You can’t always buy into things. I don’t know where it started and I don’t really care because I’m here right now with the Orlando Magic and this is where I want to be. Obviously the situation with Chris Paul wasn’t real enough for him to be here right now.’’
2. Rashard Lewis spent time almost 27 minutes of scrimmage time at the small forward slot on Tuesday. Lewis knew early in the summer that he’d be playing more small forward this season and he adjusted his workouts accordingly this offseason.
The Magic know that Lewis can handle the small forward duties on the offensive end what with his ability to knock down shots from 3-point range and his ability to post-up smaller wing players. But it’s defensively where there’s concern. Stan Van Gundy is worried about how Lewis will be able to chase the likes of LeBron James and Paul Pierce around screens and fight over pick and rolls.
If Lewis can play small forward, it will open up more playing time at power forward for Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson and even Marcin Gortat. That would give the Magic more size and rebounding on the floor against bigger teams like the Lakers and Celtics.
3. Daniel Orton says that his left knee isn’t actually injured, but the muscles around his knee are weak and need more rehabilitation work. Orton says that he is four weeks away from getting back on the court for basketball drills. For now, his days are filled mostly with strength work and rehab sessions.
He likely won’t have an impact on the court for the Magic this season, but that isn’t much of a surprise. Orlando’s roster is loaded and there would have been little time for him on the court even if he was completely healthy. His skills are extremely raw, so a season working on the side and practicing against Dwight Howard on a daily basis could help him blossom similarly to the way that Marcin Gortat did two years ago.
4. Nelson and newcomer Quentin Richardson combined on a play that was a thing of beauty at the end of Tuesday’s scrimmage. When Bass came up to screen for Nelson at the top of the key, Nelson split the double team of Jason Williams and Ryan Anderson. Then, as he drove down the lane and collapsed the defense, he kicked the ball out to Richardson, who drilled a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
5. I had seen the monstrous video board inside of Amway Center a couple of times already, but I saw it cranked up and in all of its vivid HD glory on Tuesday morning. The 42 X 41 X 41-foot board is jaw-dropping with its clarity and brightness. (Of course, it also didn’t hurt that a video of the Magic dancers was playing at the time). There are four huge replay boards at the bottom and eight massive panels above. I’ve heard already that on Opening Night the Magic plan to unveil the technology where they can put one giant image across the entire board, something that is sure wow fans throughout the building. As for me on Tuesday, I just wanted to find a Lazy-Z-Boy recliner, a remote control and watch my favorite TV shows on the massive board for hours.
September 28, 2010
ORLANDO -- Here are five things that I’ve seen and learned from Magic Media Day and the first day of the training camp. We’ll do these look-ins at various times throughout camp, the preseason and the regular season.
1. Point guard Jameer Nelson said that he didn’t take offense to the talk that the Magic looked into trading for all-star Chris Paul over the summer. Nelson is confident in his abilities and felt certain that the Magic weren’t looking to deal him.
Said Nelson: ``I know to believe half of what you hear and none of what you see. You can’t always buy into things. I don’t know where it started and I don’t really care because I’m here right now with the Orlando Magic and this is where I want to be. Obviously the situation with Chris Paul wasn’t real enough for him to be here right now.’’
2. Rashard Lewis spent time almost 27 minutes of scrimmage time at the small forward slot on Tuesday. Lewis knew early in the summer that he’d be playing more small forward this season and he adjusted his workouts accordingly this offseason.
The Magic know that Lewis can handle the small forward duties on the offensive end what with his ability to knock down shots from 3-point range and his ability to post-up smaller wing players. But it’s defensively where there’s concern. Stan Van Gundy is worried about how Lewis will be able to chase the likes of LeBron James and Paul Pierce around screens and fight over pick and rolls.
If Lewis can play small forward, it will open up more playing time at power forward for Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson and even Marcin Gortat. That would give the Magic more size and rebounding on the floor against bigger teams like the Lakers and Celtics.
3. Daniel Orton says that his left knee isn’t actually injured, but the muscles around his knee are weak and need more rehabilitation work. Orton says that he is four weeks away from getting back on the court for basketball drills. For now, his days are filled mostly with strength work and rehab sessions.
He likely won’t have an impact on the court for the Magic this season, but that isn’t much of a surprise. Orlando’s roster is loaded and there would have been little time for him on the court even if he was completely healthy. His skills are extremely raw, so a season working on the side and practicing against Dwight Howard on a daily basis could help him blossom similarly to the way that Marcin Gortat did two years ago.
4. Nelson and newcomer Quentin Richardson combined on a play that was a thing of beauty at the end of Tuesday’s scrimmage. When Bass came up to screen for Nelson at the top of the key, Nelson split the double team of Jason Williams and Ryan Anderson. Then, as he drove down the lane and collapsed the defense, he kicked the ball out to Richardson, who drilled a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
5. I had seen the monstrous video board inside of Amway Center a couple of times already, but I saw it cranked up and in all of its vivid HD glory on Tuesday morning. The 42 X 41 X 41-foot board is jaw-dropping with its clarity and brightness. (Of course, it also didn’t hurt that a video of the Magic dancers was playing at the time). There are four huge replay boards at the bottom and eight massive panels above. I’ve heard already that on Opening Night the Magic plan to unveil the technology where they can put one giant image across the entire board, something that is sure wow fans throughout the building. As for me on Tuesday, I just wanted to find a Lazy-Z-Boy recliner, a remote control and watch my favorite TV shows on the massive board for hours.
