Antawn Jamison Training Camp Diary 2003
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Being able to play in my first home game:
Tomorrow night will be another opportunity to get all the guys together and keep working on the things we've been doing in practice. It will also be my first chance to play in front of the home crowd so I’m excited about that. It’s also gives us another day to get away from having to practice! They worked us pretty hard out there today! My back is doing fine now, too. I’ve been able to go all out the last couple practices without any problems so I think I’m going to be good to go for the game against New Orleans.
On Dirk and Steve:
The thing about those guys is what you see is what you get. They go hard in practice and all the little things like that. It’s really impressive to see their work ethic in person and how much they go 100% in practice as well as in the games. It makes for great practices when everyone’s out their giving their best, especially the guys who are leaders. For those guys to be recognized as All-Stars and be named to All-NBA teams and still work as hard as they do everyday in practice just says a lot about them.
On being part of EA Sports' NBA Live 2004:
I still get a kick out of seeing myself on a video game. As a kid, you always dream about one day getting to play as yourself in a video game. To have grownups and kids playing with and against the video game version of me is a good feeling too. My former college teammate Vince Carter is on the cover of the game this year and I’m happy to see that. Hopefully one day I’ll be asked to be on the cover of one of the NBA games, but it’s just a great sign of Vince’s popularity and I hope that he’s able to stay healthy and has a great season with the Raptors.
Thursday, Oct. 9 - Day 9 of Training Camp:
On training camp now after a week:
Everybody’s starting to feel more comfortable and things are starting to run more smoothly. Offensively and defensively the new guys are starting to pick it up. We are starting to have more fun with it and not think too much and just start to play basketball. Today went very smooth and was very competitive and exactly what you want practice to be like.
Last week, I was thinking about everything instead of just playing the game and reacting. That comes along once you know where to go and things are normal to you and you are able to play the game and be more relaxed. You saw that with the first game. Offensively guys know the plays and defensively we know exactly what we need to pickup. Guys are starting to talk to each other on the court and have each other’s backs. That’s what it’s all about. Most of the time you don’t really start picking up these things until right before the regular season gets started.
On keeping training camp fresh:
That’s the good thing about this training camp, it’s very competitive. It’s not like everyone goes out there and thinks about getting it over with. We are learning the plays and starting to learn each other’s tendencies, etc. The game is starting to go a little quicker and it’s feeling more like game-type situations. Things are going smoothly and that is the most important thing. Especially coming into a new situation like this, you want it to run smoothly and have things go the way they went in the past. Today was one of those days where everything was just clicking. Guys were talking about where they need to go and where they need to be. Nellie just blew the whistle and we started playing.
On gelling with the team:
That’s what it’s all about because you are not prohibiting yourself. You are out there playing and things are the way it should be. Last week I felt like the first day of school trying to learn everything. Now when the teacher asks you the question, you know exactly what the answer is. That is ultimately what you want to do is just play the game.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 - Day 8 of Training Camp:
Sitting out with back spasms last night:
Everything was fine. I sat out last night as more of a precautionary reason and I was a little bit sore. I went full speed today at practice and didn’t have any problems. We just have to monitor things closely. There were a couple times when my back stiffened up on me, but other than that I’m fine.
Missing the first home game:
It was definitely tough sitting out last night. I know the fans wanted to see me in action and I was excited about getting out there too. Hopefully, we’ll have a lot more games where they’ll have the opportunity to see me play.
Josh Howard’s play against Orlando:
I was very impressed with Josh’s play last night. He’s a lot farther ahead as a rookie than I was. He’s also a good guy which mean a lot too. He told me that he looked up to me as a youngster during my days at Carolina. He’s a tremendous athlete and he’s been picking my brain for things already, so I think he’s got a bright future.
Tuesday, Oct. 7 - Day 7 of Training Camp:
Our first home preseason game vs. the Orlando Magic.
Monday, Oct. 6 - Day 6 of Training Camp:
My free throws didn't fall in Sunday:
I was 0-6 at the free throw line during our game against the Jazz Sunday night. Normally, the ball kind of comes right in front of my face, but I tried putting the ball to the side. We went over some things again, just to try to get me comfortable again. I shot close to 80% last year, so there were really just a few little things he (Free Throw Coach Gary Boren) wanted to change. The most important thing is for me to feel comfortable and at the free throw line in yesterday’s game, I didn’t feel comfortable at all. The game is all mental. I missed those first two and it just kind of went downhill from there.
Playing at the AAC for the first time:
It’s always exciting. Yesterday was very exciting as well, just to compete together as a team for the first time. Tomorrow’s going to be another stepping stone even though it is just another preseason game. We have one of the best home crowds in the NBA, so I’m looking forward to the atmosphere in my first game as a Maverick. It’s totally different once you’re in front of the home crowd and they start to chant for you.
Fitting in with the team
I knew it wasn’t going to be a problem for me to fit into this offense. I just think defensively we have to come together better. That’s what preseason games are all about. I’m not going to have a problem at all fitting into the offense and doing what Nellie needs me to do.
Winning in the Preseason:
It’s important. The most important thing is for us to keep improving our chemistry. It’s definitely important to win games, but yesterday was kind of tough for us because we were focusing on getting things down. Day by day we’re getting more comfortable playing together and learning the plays. I’m being asked to do some things on the defensive side that I wasn’t used to doing in Golden State, so that’s something that’s only going to improve for me with time.
Sunday, Oct. 5 - Day 5 of Training Camp:
Play Utah at 5 p.m. CT.
Saturday, Oct. 4 - Day 4 of Training Camp:
Travel day to Mexico City for first preseason game!
Friday, Oct. 3 - Day 3 of Training Camp:
Today most of practice was dealing with the offensive plays. Defensively, we worked on trying to pinpoint things to work on with our zone. Today was more of a teaching session. We didn't do too much running, but I think we did enough of that the other day!
This training camp compared to the Warriors camp:
Training camp is always exciting, especially when you first get started, but then your body starts getting tired and sore. This particular situation is obviously different for me because this team is expected to win a lot more games so I definitely feel more excitement this season than I have in past seasons.
Finally being able to compete against another team:
Sunday will be our first real test against another team. It will be important to see how we click. The first game guys always forget plays, make turnovers and basically make rookie mistakes. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.
Going to Mexico:
I actually played in Mexico City two years ago when the Warriors played a preseason game against the New Jersey Nets so I'm kind of familiar with the atmosphere and what it's going to be like. I know the fans are looking forward to seeing Eduardo play, so that should be fun.
Thursday, Oct. 2 - Day 2 of Training Camp:
Camp was a lot better today. Yesterday felt like the first day of school, where you meet all of your classmates, learn their names and meet the teachers. The second day is so much better than the first. I am getting back into basketball shape and learning all the terminology for the offense, defense, etc. I am also starting to get my swagger back a little bit. Plus I'm not as sore as I was after the first practice. That's what training camp is all about, getting ready for the long season. I am also starting to get in good with some of these guys, joking around with them and getting to know them. I feel more at home here today than I did yesterday. That's how it will be for a while, each day I will become more comfortable with the players, coaches and staff. I am a lot more comfortable and that's a good feeling.
Oct. 1 - My first day of camp with Dallas:
Today was my first real practice with my new team. The biggest thing to me was getting that first one out of the way. After that, it will be like every other training camp. Right away, I could tell this was a more veteran team. In the past, I was used to new coaches and young players coming in. Here, the guys know what's going on and they understand the system. Coach Nelson was trying to get a lot of the terminology down. Once I picked that up, it felt like any other practice.
My impact on the team:
I am going to bring it every night! I am not one of those guys who shows up for two games and then takes a night off. I give 100% night in and night out. I may surprise a lot of people offensively because I am a pretty good passer and that will help create a lot of shots for the other guys. I like to think I am a good rebounder and that is something we can definitely improve on as a team. Defensively, I like to get dirty. I plan on doing whatever is asked of me to win games.
My impressions of my new team:
We have a great veteran team here in Dallas. There is a lot of chemistry, even though there are some new faces. If the coach says 'do something,' all of a sudden the guys pick up on it and it's done. These guys really rely on one another. They joke around with each other on and off the court and that's what being a great team is all about.
How soon we will gel:
I don't think it wil take a long time for this team to gel together. But time will tell, especially once we start playing the preseason games. I don't think it will be a problem, though. We've got a couple young guys, but we know that it will take them a little while to get used to this situation. Even with myself and the other guys from Golden State, it will take some time for us to get acclimated.
