Day One of Training Camp - Post Game Report
- When they opened up practice, they were running a three-team, five-on-five, winner's outs sort of thing. If your team scored, you took the ball back the other way at the third team - if you got scored on, you waited on the defensive end until a team came back at you. So you had to get a stop to get the ball, and as long as you kept scoring, you kept playing. Fun.
With Blake Griffin resting his 'sore patellar tendon'
the first unit consisted of Baron, EJ, Thornton, Camby and Kaman; the second unit was Telfair, Butler, Ricky Davis, Smith and DJ; the third unit was everyone else - Collins, Anthony Roberson, Jerel McNeal, Kareem Rush, Novak, Taj Gray and Skinner.
- Lucas went into 'NBA training guru' mode after the practice proper had ended, running all of the threes (Collins, Thornton, Novak, Smith, Butler) through a series of drills. Shoot from this cone, dribble to this cone, pull up shoot, reverse pivot, post up, that sort of thing. As we've said before, he looks like a great addition to the staff.
Steve Perrin, Clips Nation
Also, Blake wants to participate tomorrow, but Dunleavy wants him to rest 3-4 more days. For anyone that doesn't know, Blake banged knees with Smith on Friday. Nothing serious, just precautionary. Almost everyone met their conditioning targets, or were close to them. Conditioning was much better than last summer. Gordon and Kaman look to be in the best shape of anyone.
Training Camp Notes — Day 1
-The Clippers have a 15th roster spot if they’re wowed by Anthony Roberson, Kareem Rush, Taj Gray and Jerel McNeal, the non-roster invitees in camp. “You’re always looking for shooting,” Dunleavy said. If the Clippers do add a 15th player — improbable but not impossible — it would likely be a 2 guard who can fill it up from the outside. Roberson certainly fits that description. The problem with him is that he’s useless once you chase him off the line.
-The staff is bullish on Chris Kaman. “He looks great,” said Dunleavy. “[Clippers assistant coach] John Lucas just said to me, ‘Wow! That guy is really good. He can shoot hooks, jump hooks, left hand, right hand, 18-foot jump shots.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I know. He’s got all the tools.’” For Dunleavy, the challenge with Chris hasn’t changed much since the center’s first day in the league: [1] “One dribble, then make your move.” [2] Reads on the double-team, and the ability to make the pass.
Kevin Arnovitz, ClipperBlog
Post-practice interviews
Blake Interview
Mike Dunleavy
