Training Camp Report: Day 1 - Mavs get defensive, Kaman suffers minor injury
Earl K. Sneed reports from Day 1 of the Dallas Mavericks' training camp, where the team looked to establish a defensive identity despite an early minor injury for center Chris Kaman.
Training Camp Report: Day 1 - Mavs get defensive, Kaman suffers minor injury
DALLAS – Although the day appeared promising when the Dallas Mavericks’ kicked off their training camp Saturday morning, it ended with one of the team’s eight new additions being held out of practice due to a minor injury.
Suffering what Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and head athletic trainer Casey Smith are calling a sprained lower back that’s not believed to be serious, center Chris Kaman made it through only half of the team’s initial practice. And with a second practice looming in the first two-a-day of the preseason, Kaman will likely be a limited participant and is expected to be held out of the team’s intrasquad scrimmage Saturday evening.
“It was a really good practice,” Carlisle said. “We had one casualty. Kaman went out with a sprained lower back that’s not considered serious, so we’ll see how he’s doing for tonight, tomorrow and go from there.
“A sprained lower back is not serious,” the coach added, “but it’s enough to keep him out of about half of the workout this morning, so we’ll see.”
Meanwhile, even with the 7-footer sidelined and fellow newcomer Elton Brand working as the starting 5 man, the Mavs looked to establish a team identity while building chemistry on the fly.
Before heading out on a two-game European exhibition tour on Wednesday, the Mavericks will focus on togetherness on the court as their try to integrate their eight new faces after a summer of wheeling and dealing brought in five veterans and three draft picks. And according to Carlisle and his new pieces, with just one practice in the books, it is clear that the team’s identity and calling card will be the play at the defensive end of the floor.
“Well, the things that you do the first week of practice are the things that are going to remain ingrained throughout the season,” Carlisle explained. “So, these practices are critical, ‘cause these are the things that guys are gonna remember the most. And so, a lot of this stuff is your core stuff and fundamentals and it’s stuff that builds the foundation for what you’re gonna be as a basketball team.”
“It’s always good when you have an energetic group who’s ready to get started,” swingman Dahntay Jones added. “Everybody’s energy level was high, everybody was excited about being here and we had a great practice. We got to go over our sets and have a good defensive day. … I think we know our identity will start with defense, and our individual identities (will take) making those come together as a group. Our initial identity is to be a defensive-minded team and turn that into fast baskets.”
