From http://www.nba.com/global/usab_quotes_000826.html Rudy Tomjanovich: Q: What were your impressions of the first practice? TOMJANOVICH: We were really happy with the way things went. We worked a lot on defense and getting our foundation in and I thought the guys picked it up very well. I thought our defense showed it was way above our offense, but for the first day I am extremely satisfied. Q: The defense being ahead of the offense is to be expected so early on. TOMJANOVICH: Exactly. They picked it up and the impressive thing is that we are long and rangy and it makes the floor look pretty small. Q: Did you say anything to set the tone or the agenda for the next five weeks? TOMJANOVICH: Last night we talked about doing this the right way and that we have an added responsibility. We not only represent our country but we represent the game of basketball itself. This is an American game and these are the elite from the best league in the world and everyone expects a lot from us, and they should. So I said that we should come here and just to be a collection of individuals is not enough and we need to become a real team. These guys are fantastic. Q: It must be special for you to be coaching such an elite team with so much at stake. TOMJANOVICH: Heck yeah. It is a dream come true. Any coach would be dreaming about this. I started thinking about it last night at dinner and thinking about when I used to watch the Olympics as a kid and what a long way I've come from the playgrounds of Michigan. ------------------ www.Rockets2000.net
