Training Camp

[Chinny]

Does anyone know if tc is open today? I read that it starts at the Alario today

[adsmm23]

Nah, but it's open at the Arena Saturday 11:30-1:30

[Eman5805]

I intend to be there Saturday.

[Danchrism]

I'll be there, ready to compete for that back SG position

[KingChris504]

Originally Posted by Danchrism

I'll be there, ready to compete for that back SG position

You can compete for back-up janitor position.

[nolafan33]

I'm thinking about going Saturday. I'll be at the game on Sunday, so I'm not really sure if I feel like driving into the city both days.

[Puddinhead]

Originally Posted by nolafan33

I'm thinking about going Saturday. I'll be at the game on Sunday, so I'm not really sure if I feel like driving into the city both days.

I'll be at both

[Eman5805]

Observations from the scrimmage:

Okafor didn't participate for some reason.

Marcus Thornton played very well. Even on D. Got a few steals and hands on the ball. Belinelli matched up well on D, but Thornton still got at least 12 points.

Pondexter is very instinctive, good feel for the game. Runs well. Didn't shoot well though.

Pops was snatching down rebounds. Put the ball on the floor a few times and one time nearly got the reverse baseline flush but got all rim. Easily outrebounded anyone else.

Aaron Gray definitely lost a lot of weight. Ran well and played a lot of minutes. Has terrible hands though. Rebounded well.

Ariza blocked a 3 from Peja that might've gone it. It was from the same side of the court that Peja drained against the Mavs that year. He also blocked a layup. Shot decently. Got 2 threes I think.

Pargo didn't score. Willie Green shot well. Held CP3 to maybe...4 points? I don't know. CP3 didn't really assert himself much anyway. CP3 also got a few of those transitional steals he's so apt to do.

Joe Alexander is strong. Bodies up to West well on the low block and he was the one jumping it up with Aaron Gray. He won all but once and then it was cuz he miss timed the jump. Alexander also attacked the basket a few times and got the the FT line. Got a few rebounds.

Jason Smith and Darryl Watkins need to rebound stronger.

If I didn't mention anyone else, it's cuz they did little I noticed. Like Shakur. Might've had a good drive to the hoop for a lay in, but it also could've been DJ Strawberry. They wore 23 and 22. Easy to lost track of which was which.

Surprised that Pops played as well as he did on the boards. Dude is gonna make the squad. Also, he was draining 3s in the early shootaround. Didn't take any in game though.

Overall, you can see defense was a priority. Lots of contested jumpers and you had the fight to get to the basket.

Edit: I was VERY tempted to start chanting "We want Melo!" but I was worried no one would join me.

[adsmm23]

Yeah, Eman, I agree with what you said, but I'm just goona post what I put up on TD
I went and was wondering why Okafor was out. He looked like was walking with a limp, but the could just be his "ganster walk." Some observations though:
-The players who have been here looked as usual. D west gave as usual contributions on D, which was not much. Peja pretty well, went maybe 4/6, 5/7 from 3. Thornton really started to take over the game towards the end of regulation for his game with his shooting and slashing.
-Bellenlli looks like he could a real threat as a sharp shooter off the bench. He really lit it up, and looked like he handled the ball well.
-Pops was a rebounding machine, he may have had 4 or 5 offensive rebounds. He definitely puts forth a big effort.
-Alexander looks like he still has potential. He shook D West a couple times, ane drew the foul, but didn't look too great shooting the free throws. I still like what I saw out of him. Gray does look slimmer, but he was real slow on defending on the post. He had at least 4 fouls by the end of the 2nd period from just being late to position himself. He also dropped a few passes into the post.
-Green started off bad with an airball from 3, but played much better as time went on and him the game tying 3 at the end of regulation.
-Ariza look really good out there overall. He didn't shoot lights out, but he slashed to the hole when needed, connected on an ally oop with CP, and even blocked a few shots including Peja's attempt at the game winning 3 in OT. I think he will be a real difference make for the team.
-Jason Smith didn't do much to impress me. He dropped a few passes as well, but you can see the potential in him, and he was really hustling his *** off.
-Pondexter looks like he can contribute this season as well. He had one mistake where he should have driven to the goal and he would have a wide open dunk. But he did shoot the ball well and played good defense.
Overall I really like what I saw out of the team. You can see them playing hard on defense, and even with that, there weren't that many bad shots taken. There really wasn't anyone out there who looked incompetent and just couldn't play like we are used to with such players as DTDB, Juju and other fan favorites. CP and Pargo stayed after and played some around the world, which was fun to watch, and then actually came over and signed some autographs.

BTW, West does look a lot skinnier. I don't know if that's a good thing, as in his in good shape, or a bad thing that he isn't going to be bulky enough to bang down low.

[Puddinhead]

Originally Posted by adsmm23

Yeah, Eman, I agree with what you said, but I'm just goona post what I put up on TD
I went and was wondering why Okafor was out. He looked like was walking with a limp, but the could just be his "ganster walk." Some observations though:
-The players who have been here looked as usual. D west gave as usual contributions on D, which was not much. Peja pretty well, went maybe 4/6, 5/7 from 3. Thornton really started to take over the game towards the end of regulation for his game with his shooting and slashing.
-Bellenlli looks like he could a real threat as a sharp shooter off the bench. He really lit it up, and looked like he handled the ball well.
-Pops was a rebounding machine, he may have had 4 or 5 offensive rebounds. He definitely puts forth a big effort.
-Alexander looks like he still has potential. He shook D West a couple times, ane drew the foul, but didn't look too great shooting the free throws. I still like what I saw out of him. Gray does look slimmer, but he was real slow on defending on the post. He had at least 4 fouls by the end of the 2nd period from just being late to position himself. He also dropped a few passes into the post.
-Green started off bad with an airball from 3, but played much better as time went on and him the game tying 3 at the end of regulation.
-Ariza look really good out there overall. He didn't shoot lights out, but he slashed to the hole when needed, connected on an ally oop with CP, and even blocked a few shots including Peja's attempt at the game winning 3 in OT. I think he will be a real difference make for the team.
-Jason Smith didn't do much to impress me. He dropped a few passes as well, but you can see the potential in him, and he was really hustling his *** off.
-Pondexter looks like he can contribute this season as well. He had one mistake where he should have driven to the goal and he would have a wide open dunk. But he did shoot the ball well and played good defense.
Overall I really like what I saw out of the team. You can see them playing hard on defense, and even with that, there weren't that many bad shots taken. There really wasn't anyone out there who looked incompetent and just couldn't play like we are used to with such players as DTDB, Juju and other fan favorites. CP and Pargo stayed after and played some around the world, which was fun to watch, and then actually came over and signed some autographs.

BTW, West does look a lot skinnier. I don't know if that's a good thing, as in his in good shape, or a bad thing that he isn't going to be bulky enough to bang down low.

Well I guess I know your screenname on TigerDroppings.

[adsmm23]

Originally Posted by Puddinhead

Well I guess I know your screenname on TigerDroppings.

Haha yep, I have a pretty good idea of yours over there as well

[Bongzilla]

Thanks for the updates guys, please keep them coming.

[nolafan33]

Did anyone take any pictures?

[adsmm23]

Originally Posted by nolafan33

Did anyone take any pictures?

Yeah I did, I'll try to get them uploaded within the next few days. Another thing I noticed was the Peja looked REALLY slow. I remember reading that yesterday he had "minor soreness" in his knee, so that could be the reason.

[Puddinhead]

I don't have pics, but I want to say, Monty looks good as a coach. He has a Sean Payton look about him. Like there's a lot of wheels turning in his head, but at the same time he's very active giving his players instructions.