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Share76ers End Mini-Camp with Scrimmage
Philadelphia 76ers forwards Andre Iguodala and Kyle Korver joined free agent acquisitions Deng Gai and Shavlik Randolph and 2005 NBA Draft pick Louis Williams, along with a host of other rookie free agents as the Sixers hosted a mini-camp from Aug. 17-19 at the Sixers Practice Facility (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine).
Day 4 - Aug. 20
Baker League All-Stars 128, 76ers 127 OT | Boxscore
76ers forward Kyle Korver was 8-for-11 from three-point range and finished with 32 points as the 76ers fell 128-127 in overtime to the Baker League All-Stars on Saturday at the Community College of Philadelphia. The Sixers also got 27 points from second-year player to be Andre Iguodala. Guard John Salmons, playing for the Baker League, had 32 points, including 10-of-11 from the free throw line, while recently signed Seattle guard and Temple product Rick Brunsonpassed for 14 assists. The Sixers led 59-57 a the half before the teams ended regulation tied at 120.
"It was entertaining for the fans. (Kyle) Korver put on a show. Andre (Iguodala) put on a nice show," Head Coach Maurice Cheeks, who watched from the bleachers while Assistant Coach John Loyer ran the team, said. "It was a very entertaining game and our guys, you could tell they were in shape. That was the main thing, they were in shape and tried to do everything that John (Loyer) did. We are proud of the guys who went out there and played today."
Day 3 - Aug. 19
Camp Comes to a Close
After working against each other for six sessions in three days, the 76ers camp participants will get a shot at some competition on Saturday. The team will play against the Baker League All-Stars on Saturday at 2pm at the Community College of Philadelphia.
"We're playing Andre (Iguodala), Kyle (Korver) and (Samuel) Dalembert 48 minutes,” Head Coach Maurice Cheeks said with a smile. “No, we're just going to have some fun, work on some things that we did before. I don’t know who were going to play, but we’ll figure out which way to go.”
Overall Cheeks has been pleased.
"Yesterday was a great practice with guys who came back like Johnny (Salmons) who was very good yesterday, and Kyle (Korver) and Andre (Iguodala). They uplifted the practice with the guys who are here trying to make a team. Everybody played pretty well. It was a great practice yesterday," Cheeks said. “As you get into more scrimmaging, the practice gets better. The tediousness of going through drills gets old, and as they play, it gets better.”
Locally Connected
It wouldn’t be a 76ers mini-camp without some local participation. Temple’s David Hawkins is in to try to earn a spot on the Sixers October Training camp roster and ultimately the team.
"It feels good just getting the opportunity again, getting my foot in the door in the NBA,” Hawkins, who was undrafted in 2004, said. “That's my goal so I'm just happy that the Sixers are giving me the opportunity right now."
After playing for Temple from 2000-04 where he was ranked fourth nationally in scoring as a senior with 24.4 points per game, the Washington native did not catch on with an NBA team and spent last season playing in Rome.
"I'm a whole year better,” Hawkins said. “I learned a lot from (Temple) Coach (John) Chaney but experience is your best teacher, and I played a little bit with Houston last year then went overseas and just getting that one year of professional ball under my belt it helped me a whole lot.”
76ers Head Coach Maurice Cheeks likes Hawkins’ game and which reminds him of an old school player.
"I love David Hawkins. He's like an old school kind of player,” Cheeks said. “He looks like he can't run but he can shoot -- he knows how to get the screen and rolls. He's a throw back kind of player but pretty effective.”
But does he have what it takes to make it in the NBA?
"I think that he has the skills to be an NBA player but I don't know what's going to happen for him,” Cheeks surmised. “I think if continues to progress the way you see him out here, he's like a jovial kid, you like to be around him and when he's out on the floor you can see the things he's capable of doing.”
Being from Chaney’s system at Temple, Hawkins posses a knack for defense, very similar to Aaron McKie.
"You can see it in his defensive abilities,” Cheeks said. “I know how Aaron used to be, always keeping his hands around the ball and stealing the ball from people – he's the same way."
Despite his Washington roots, Hawkins would like nothing better than playing in Philadelphia, calling the Sixers his “favorite team.” And Chaney had some parting words for his former player.
"He told me not to come here to waste anybody's time; he told me to make the team," Hawkins recalled. “And that’s the clean version.”
Hoping for a Shot(blocker)
76ers forward Deng Gai hopes to follow in the same path of his cousin, Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng. Deng just completed his first season with the Bulls where he averaged 11.7 points per game in 61 contests.
Gai however has no designs on matching his cousin’s scoring ability knowing that his skills lie more on the defensive end of the court.
“I came here to compete and to get in better shape and to get ready for the training camp,” Gai said.
Undrafted this summer, the 76ers were quick to call Gai to come in attend additonal workouts. The team signed him on August 5.
The native of Sudan, Gai started all 100 games at Fairfield where he averaged 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.44 blocks, and was a three-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year.
“He’s a shot blocker, a guy who can run the floor, block some shots,” Cheeks said. “His forte is blocking shots, but (Thursday) he made a conscious effort to rebound the ball.”
Gai realizes the camp has been a great opportunity for him to get familiar with the Sixers coaching staff and them to him. He is thankful that the 76ers have given him a chance when he went undrafted, but knows he can’t rest on his laurels.
“I always look at it like I'm not a complete player; I still have to get better. I know my strength is blocking shots; not running the floor and rebounding but I still have to put the ball on the floor, and keep up defensively, and stay aggressive."
Day 2 - Aug. 18
Learning Curve
Events are going so fast for 76ers second round draft pick Louis Williams that he seems to refer to everything at the mini-camp as “miles per hour.” If there’s one thing, the one thing the 18-year-old guard has learned is to slow down.
“You don’t necessarily have to go 95 miles per hour to get things done,” Williams said. “Guys like Kevin Ollie are going like 60 or 70, and he’s just as effective as the next guy.”
For Williams, it has been nonstop since he turned 18 last October. Before he knew it he graduated in May from high school and then was drafted by the Sixers in June. Now, he is stepping up his preparations for the season with the mini-camp.
“He’s a young kid, and I think that these two a days are going to help him towards October and as time keeps going on and on, he’ll get better,” Head Coach Maurice Cheeks said.
One thing that has helped Williams has been mentoring from some of the Sixers vets – current and now departed ones.
“Kevin Ollie has been great for me. Kyle Korver has been great. Aaron McKie was great for me,” Williams said. “Those are three guys that’s been here mainly and Marc Jackson was great for me before he was gone. Those are guys who were here early on when I first got here and gave some great advice everyday, made sure I was all right and looked out for me.”
Williams is expected to sign first contract at some point Thursday afternoon, officially adding him to the Sixers roster.
“We know he’s not somebody who’s ready today, but we believe in him and want to make a commitment to him,” 76ers President Billy King said.
The three days of the mini-camp are important for Williams’ development as he continues to prepare for the NBA season.
“I don’t think you try to get him ready for an NBA season, I think you take it day by day and as that comes along, I think he will get a little bit better and a little bit stronger,” Cheeks said. “As he watches and sees the other pros out on the floor, the things that they have to do to get themselves ready, I think he will be better for it.”
Sightings and Observations
Kyle Korver is no longer the only vet to partake in the camp.
Kevin Ollie and Andre Iguodala have made their way to PCOM as have John Salmons and Samuel Dalembert who made appearances at Day 1’s night session. Newly signed Steven Hunter was also there but worked out on his own
“I think it going to be fun,” Cheeks said of coaching Iguodala. “That’s what I am talking about, his ability as he’s playing of running up and down the court, passing the ball. You don’t get to see it where I was at on a regular basis. Watching him on film and watching him up close is pretty exciting to watch.”
Cheeks on Shavlik Randolph: “Shavlik is a little bit strong than people think. He can rebound the ball in traffic. Offensively, he can put the ball down on the floor. Once he gets that little 15, 16-foot jump shot, he can be an effective player, but I think people discredit his toughness. As he plays a little bit more, the toughness will come out, the ball skills will come out and his jump shot, he has to work on getting that jump shot down.”
Training Camp Talk
The 76ers training camp for all players is not until Oct. 4, but the mini-camp has gotten everyone talking about the future workout.
Some of the players going through the two a days will also be making their way down to Duke as the 76ers look to fill out the roster.
“(Cheeks is) going to be conscious of not beating up Chris (Webber) or Allen (Iverson) in training camp,” King said. “It may be where we’ll bring in more guys, 16, 18 guys total.”
Day 1 - Aug. 17
Camp Underway
There was the familiar sound of basketballs bouncing and sneakers squealing as Head Coach Maurice Cheeks convened the 76ers three day mini-camp on Wednesday for free agents, rookies and young guys. Kyle Korver was the only vet to hit the floor for the morning session at the Sixers PCOM practice facility. Andre Iguodala was expected to appear by tomorrow.
“I was looking forward to (the mini-camp) having been off for a long time,” Cheeks said. “Getting let go in March and (now) getting back into the swing of basketball. I am looking forward to it, and I am looking forward to training camp starting. But right now when you have young kids, eager kids, coming out and trying to learn it’s a fun thing.”
The camp is aimed at helping to sort out the 76ers roster by getting some needed exposure for the players and where they stood ability wise. Most of the players were in need of getting into better basketball shape.
“That’s what these things are for,” Cheeks said. “Trying to figure out if guys can play and what kind of shape they are in.”
Cheeks also gave some evaluations on a few of the players.
On David Hawkins: “First day, first time (seeing him), he’s a better defender than I thought. He’s a better defender on the ball, but very knowledgeable about the game for just the little time I have been around him.”
On Louis Williams: “Louis has to catch up to the pro game. He’s a little slow in that area, but his ability is going to help him get there faster because he’s a very knowledgeable kid but I think the pro game was a little quicker for him than he was expecting.”
On Deng Gai: “A shot bocker. A guy who can run the floor. He has to get in more shape like everybody here. His ability is there also. He doesn’t do anything he can’t do and that is smart for a guy trying to make a team.”
Free Agent News
76ers President Billy King let it be known that 76ers have made contact with free agent guard Michael Finley. Finley was waived by the Mavericks on August 15 as their amnesty player.
“We are going to be patient and try to make the right decision,” King said. “I don’t want to make rush decisions and sign some one that we are not going to be confident in. Maybe we’ll go into the season with this roster and then tweak it within the first month or two.”
Finely, a two-time All-Star, has career averages of 19.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 735 career games that spans 10 seasons.
King also said that he anticipates officially signing the team’s second round draft pick, Louis Williams, in the near future and is just “working out a few points.”
The waiver wire has a number of interesting names, including one King is quite friendly with. Would he have an interest in bringing in, say, Reggie Miller?
“(Reggie) is done he’s not playing,” King said laughing before turning more serious. “I am not too worried about shooting. I am more worried about defense at this point in time. Over the years we have been able to score points, but we haven’t been able to stop anybody. So that’s more of my focus.”
Korver the Elder Statesman
Even Kyle Korver was smirking when he said he was the old guy on the floor.
“I am the old guy here now. We’ve got someone who’s six years younger than me (Louis Williams). That’s a little crazy,” the 76ers newly re-signed said.
Korver was at the camp to try to get into basketball shape and gauge where he was at in his offseason regiment.
“I haven’t been able to play a lot of competitive basketball this summer,” Korver, who took a cruise with his family and went to China with the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program, said. “I’ve done a lot of shooting, a lot of lifting to stay in shape, but I haven’t played a lot of game type stuff.”
Just because he signed a multi-year contract doesn’t mean the third-year player to be is resting on his laurels. Korver is looking to be a bigger part of the offense next season and has bulked up weight wise.
“It’s good to come back here and play and it’s good to get back in game shape,” Korver said.
Korver was even made an example of by Cheeks for the rest of the players in the camp.
“Kyle is in better shape than a lot of these guys here,” Cheeks said. “I think some of those guys have to look at him and see a player that’s here and that doesn’t have to be here and the shape that he is now.”
Willie Green Update
Even though he was still in Birmingham recovering from knee surgery, Willie Green was on the minds of a lot of the Sixers gathered at the mini-camp.
“It’s unfortunate; I was looking forward to coaching Willie,” Cheeks said. “Now that he is gone for quite a long time, it is unfortunate situation for him and unfortunate for us.”
Green’s recovery time from the ACL reconstruction and repair of a lateral meniscus tear is expected to take six to nine months
King reiterated what he said yesterday with regards to Green’s contract status that basically there was no timetable.
The loss of Green puts a hole in the Sixers line-up that Cheeks is hoping to fill with some of the players on the current roster.
“It will put other guys in the light like Johnny Salmons, Kevin Ollie. Those guys have to step up. Kevin has been around for a long time and now John Salmons gets another opportunity to see what he can bring to our team,” Cheeks said. “Usually when a guy gets hurt, someone else steps up and really takes over the position. I am hoping it will be anyone. Right now, Johnny Salmons has that opportunity.”
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: 2005 MINI-CAMP ROSTER NO. PLAYER POS HT WT YRS FROM 35 Deng Gai F 6-9 230 R Fairfield 51 Brandon Gay F 6-9 248 R San Diego 0 David Hawkins G 6-5 230 R Temple 9 Andre Iguodala G-F 6-6 207 1 Arizona 26 Kyle Korver F 6-6 211 2 Creighton 50 Herve Laminzana F-C 6-10 240 R Rutgers 40 Glen McGowan F 6-9 245 R Pepperdine 84 Shavlik Randolph F 6-10 240 R Duke 11 Ricky Shields G 6-3 200 R Rutgers 16 Omar Thomas G 6-4 210 R Texas El-Paso 23 Louis Williams G 6-1 175 R South Gwinnett HS 41 Kennedy Winston F 6-7 220 R Alabama 17 Rasheim Wright G 6-3 210 R Univ. of DCPlayers Thumbnails
#9 ANDRE IGUODALAG/F – 6-6 – 207 – Arizona
From Springfield, Ill.…selected by the 76ers with the ninth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft…was only Sixers player to start every game, including five playoff games in 2004-05…averaged 9.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 32.8 minutes per game…named to 2005 All- Rookie Team…only rookie to record a triple-double in 2004-05…ranked 8th in the league in steals per game (1.68)…played two seasons at the University of Arizona and was an All-Pac 10 honoree after averaging 12.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists as a sophomore (2003- 04).
#26 KYLE KORVERF – 6-6 – 211 – Creighton
From Pella, Iowa…acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers from New Jersey in a 2003 NBA Draft night trade…played in all 82 regular season games (57 starts) in 2004-05 and set a single-season franchise record for three-point field goals made (226) and attempted (558)… averaged 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game…currently ranks fourth in franchise history for career total three-point field goals made (307).
#35 DENG GAIF – 6-9 – 230 – Fairfield University
From Sudan, Africa…last name is pronounced GUY…signed by the Philadelphia 76ers as an un-drafted free agent (8/5/05)…started all of his 100 career games at Fairfield and averaged 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.44 blocks per game …a three-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year…named 2004-05 first team All-MAAC…led the nation in blocks (5.5 bpg) and blocked 10 or more shots in three contests as a senior…cousin of Chicago Bulls Luol Deng.
#84 SHAVLIK RANDOLPHF – 6-10 – 240 – Duke
From Raleigh, N.C.…signed by the Philadelphia 76ers as an un-drafted free agent on 8/5/05…played in 92 career games (36 starts) with Duke…averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 50.6 percent shooting…averaged 1.4 blocks per game…ranks No. 7 on Duke’s career blocked shots list (129 blocks)…part of two ACC Championship teams (2003, 2005) and one Final Four squad (2004)… early entry candidate in the 2005 NBA Draft.
#23 LOUIS WILLIAMSG – 6-2 – 175 - South Gwinnett HS ‘05
From Lithonia, Ga.…selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 45th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft…named Mr. Basketball in Georgia as a junior and senior...four-time All-State selection…helped South Gwinnett to a 103-16 record over his four seasons…averaged 27.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game as a senior…tallied 3,338 points, 768 rebounds, 650 assists and 355 steals during his career.
#51 BRANDON GAYF – 6-9 – 220 – University of San Diego
Raised in Houston, Texas...started college career at Southern Mississippi where he red-shirted freshman year (2000-01), then played half of the 2001-02 season before transferring to Seward County Community College...played in 31 games at SCCC in Kansas during 2002-03 season and averaged 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game...named Most Valuable Player in Jayhawk West Conference 2002-03...played in 24 games for San Diego in 2003-04...led the team for rebounding with 7.0 and second in scoring with 14.3 points per game.
#0 DAVID HAWKINSG – 6-5 – 230 – Temple
From Washington, D.C…participated in two 76ers pre-draft workout in 2004…attended Temple University (2000-04)…as a senior (2003- 04) ranked fourth nationally averaging 24.4 points per game…finished career ranked fourth on Temple’s all-time steals list (259), third in field goals made (704), tied for third in free throws made (466) and fifth for three-pointers made (223)…only the sixth Temple player to tally 700 points in a season (2003-04)…set new Temple record by compiling a 17-game streak of 20-or-more points…named AP Honorable Mention All-America and Second Team All-America by CBS SportsLine.com as a senior (2003-04)…played in four preseason games with the Houston Rockets in last preseason (2004).
#50 HERVE LAMINZANAF/C – 6-10 – 240 – Rutgers
From Ivory Coast, Africa…pronounced Er-vay LAHM-a-zahna…played 84 games in three years at Rutgers University (2002-04)…named Third-Team All-Big East as a senior…finished his three-year Rutgers career averaging 2.93 bpg…ranks third all-time in blocks with 246…led Rutgers in rebounding in each of his last two seasons...led Rutgers to the 2004 NIT Championship game and the school’s first 20-win season since 1982-83 as a senior.
#40 GLEN McGOWANF – 6 9 – 245 – Pepperdine
From Lemon Grove, Calif.…played 93 games in five years at Pepperdine (2000-05)…redshirted during the 2002-03 season after undergoing knee surgery in Oct. 2003 and then being diagnosed with a blood clot in his left arm in Dec. 2002…earned All-West Coast Conference honors as a junior and senior…finished collegiate career as the 17th all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,314 points…led WCC in scoring (17.8 ppg) in 2003-04.
#11 RICKY SHIELDSG – 6-3 – 200 – Rutgers
From Upper Marlboro, Md.…played for Rutgers University for four years (2001-05)…finished his career ranked 8th on Rutgers’ all-time scoring list with 1,579 points…set new school record for total three-pointers (265) and 12th on the Big East all-time three-point list with 141 in league games…averaged 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game for his career.
#16 OMAR THOMASG – 6-4 – 210 – University of Texas-El Paso
Raised in Philadelphia and attended Strawberry Mansion HS...in two seasons at Texas El-Paso (2003-05), played in 67 games...one of only three players at UTEP to have scored 1,000 points in two seasons...finished career ranked 12th with 1,211 points and tied for fourth in scoring average (18.1 ppg)...career-record holder in free throw percentage...shooting 81.7 percent (361-for-442)...seventh in school history with 361 free throws made...eighth in career field goal percentage, shooting 51.9 percent (418-for-805)...compiled twenty-six 20-point games as a Miner (UTEP was 20-6 when he scored points or more, including 14-4 in 2004-05).
#41 KENNEDY WINSTONF – 6-6 – 230 – Alabama
From Prichard, Ala.…played two seasons (2002-04) for Alabama...started in all 33 games his sophomore year...2004-05 John Wooden Preseason All-America...first team All-SEC (coaches' vote) in 2003-04...second team All-SEC in 2003-04...first Alabama player to be named SEC Player of the Week three times in the same season 2003-04...led Alabama in scoring, averaging 17.1 points in 2003-04.
#17 RASHEIM WRIGHTG – 6-3 – 210 – University of District of Columbia
Raised in Philadelphia…named to NCAA Division II East Region Basketball First-Team (2003-04)…third-leading scorer in NCAA Division II averaging 26.9 points per game in 2003-04…star football player at Martin Luther King High School in Philadelphia…originally recruited to play Division I football.
