Glen Rice and Kelvin Cato really seem to have hit it off... they were talking a lot and laughing a lot together. Rice really seemed to fit in with the guys he was running shooting drills with .... though Mobley and Francis were on the other side of the floor and I never saw them interact. Both Rice and Cato had iced knee pads on after practice. Cato has a gut going and needs to lose a little... I don't remember seeing him in the past without his shirt on so not sure if this is new or not. Ike Nwankwo -- <I>massive</I> upper body. Tiny legs/calves. Rudy T raved about Kenny Thomas.... said he's ready to go. Said the Rockets are going to be a "high energy team" and "our biggest challenge is going to be on the defensive end, and that's what we're focusing on." CD snuck out of the building on atleast two occasions to talk on his cell phone and took/made several calls. I didn't have my tape recorder, thoguh I will bring it tomorrow. So the only person I interviewed was Eddie Griffin, and I took manual notes. Fortunately it was a piece of cake.... Eddie is very nice, (seemingly) very humble but AWFULLY quiet.... very stale interview. He said his first day of training camp went very well -- he thought it would be harder. Though he hasn't run the second part of the day yet (2-a-day). I asked about his workout routine, and he said he's working the hardest he has in his life in the weight room. Feels he'll fit in well with Francis and Mobley since they are two very fast guards who like the up-down game. I listened to a Rice interview afterwards and that dude is seasoned with the press.... very professional and very excited to be here. Said he looks to be one of the leaders of the team and he hopes to pass on some of his experiences. He added this team has a lot of potential and it was impressive what they did last year -- that he feels they are "very close" to getting back to the playoffs. Les Alexander was there also .... him and Rudy took off together somewhat early. I didn't see any game drills... just some shooting and stretching then interviews afterwards when they were getting iced down or looked at. Hopefully there will be some game action tomorrow.... Got to run for now.... if I think of more I'll post it.
Since you didn't mention it, fair to assume that Rice was moving pretty well on the bad foot-- even in cupcake shooting drills?
Thanks Clutch...I assume there is nothing new on the M JAX or Mooch fronts or else you would have mentioned it...
Clutch, I know this is said time after time after time after time again.........but you rule. Thanks for the info.
Could Glen Rice and Kelvin Cato have some kind of a special relationship going on, I think so... Maybe Glen Rice could motivate Cato....
Clutch, I'm sure you have things handled, but I also have alot of free time during the days in case you need help with training camp covereage. Keep up the good work bro!
Clutch, If you get a chance, could you ask Rudy about the "transition" game...whether we will push it more like he said 2 camps ago? That's my one burning question...as secondary breaks are an obvious means for attacking zones with speed and shooting. I am referring to the Secondary Break like he mentioned in the 1999 camp when Francis and Shandon first arrived. Maybe you have some notes from that camp referring to Rudy's emphasis on transition. thx
crispee, I believe it's mandatory for every NBA coach in every training camp to say, "We're going to run more this year." May even be a league requirement.
