So it begins... Let's use this thread to talk preseason. Here's the schedule: Sep. 29 Media Day Sep.30 Training Camp starts Oct. 3 vs. Phoenix Oct. 5 @ Golden State Oct. 12 vs. Golden State Oct. 14 @ Phoenix Oct. 15 vs. Dallas Oct. 17 vs. Sacramento Oct. 21 Season starts vs Warriors I like that full week with no games
I don't understand why they rush into the first practice games after only 3 days of full practice and whatever they would do on earlier in the day on Oct 3.
They say teams don't really scrimmage much during training camp anymore. I imagine the players already had the playbook for months now. It's not a lot to do, besides some shell work and conditioning. So get right into it, and take that week off, to work on some things.
Why would they not scrimmage though? We usually see clips of that at certain parts of the day and that’s a process where the competition takes place to win over coaches minds for rotation spots and minutes initially in the season at least. You can’t get that input defensively or offensively from drills alone. I know it’s not a literal thing you’re saying but even reducing it for camp seems odd. During the season it becomes a lot more difficult with every other day a game, travel and back to backs and plain fatigue. And yes the practice games are for that too. Oh well just seems very rushed compared to other sports.
Kevin McHale, a few years back, said that teams don't scrimmage much in training camp anymore. It's mostly shooting and conditioning drills. A lot of vets don't even want, to play in preseason games today. Things change, at least this way ,we get to see the guys live early, and don't have to rely on the usual, training camp rumors, about who looks good and all that.
i agree with LT that the immediate jump into preseason is strange to me. i think the lack of real training camps has made the first ten games of the season basically the preseason now. seriously, every year a bunch of wild stuff happens at the beginning that is never replicated. some of that is just the home-opener variance and all the scheduling around the hyped matchups, etc. (e.g., we always have a tough start because the league has to put us against good teams to generate fan and media interest). i don't know why we don't just have the longer ramp up like the old days. these guys are paid a ton of money. they can show up in early september.
..... or at least a week earlier for their multi multi millions, giving the coaching staff 10 days of preparation with the new squads. I doubt the mid level and lower guys are b******* about having to scrimmage and they've been in the facility most of the summer anyway or elsewhere chomping at the bit to compete for playing time.
Lebron just finished his interview with the Spectrum Sportsnet crew, he was definitely in great spirits, he's looking forward to playing with Luka for a full season, mentioned he'll be playing off the ball alot more, mentioned working on catch and shoot. When Geeter asked if we'd see him next year on media day, he laughed and said "maybe'.
Luka and Lebron were both asked about passing of the torch, Luka said he looks up to Lebron Luka said it was an honor that Jeannie, Rob etc flew to Europe to watch him play Mentioned putting in work in the off season Talked about recuriting Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton
JJ up mentioned mid season trade presented challenges (paraphrasing) He regrets preparation ahead of Minnesota series Mentioned blitzing Anthony Edwards as a defensive strategy was a mistake Mentions getting into first action quicker by throwing ahead to get to it faster, at 18 sec instead of at 12 sec Mentions Marcus Smart's voice in the locker room talked about partnership with management, ownership
Talked about travel, training with Sumos Wants to help the team to win a championship Not worried about contract extension Mentions having Ayton as a rim protector means applying more ball pressure
Austin up Talked alot about golf Mentioned getting stronger working on shooting, working on his game Mentioned betting on himself
Jaxson being interviewed by Mike Bresnahan, Mentioned gaining 20lbs of muscle Looking forward to the season