NBA Headlines Around the League

In the WASHINGTON POST, Michael Wilbon writes that "it appears entirely possible as the Wizards set up shop that they could be pretty good this season, perhaps 50-win good. And since Miami is the only proven team in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards ought to begin camp thinking about a) bolting out of the gate as opposed to the usual sputtering and b) thinking of themselves as good as anybody else in the East."

 

In the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Mike Bresnahan writes that on the first day of training camp, "the Lakers barely touched the triangle offense, centering instead on defense." Kobe Bryant, "watching practice from a courtside massage table after a light individual workout, estimated that 85% to 90% of Tuesday's four-hour session was geared toward defense. Bryant, for his part, was back on the all-defensive team last season after failing to make it there the year before."

 

In the SACRAMENTO BEE, Joe Davidson writes that "Eric Musselman didn't just order defensive slide drills for his team Tuesday morning. He slid right along -- hands up, feet gliding. The first-year Kings coach led the opening day of training camp by example, though he assured it was only a one-time deal, so help his hamstrings. Musselman was not alone setting the tone for a spirited morning of defensive drills and scrimmage. The team's senior veteran, Mike Bibby, showed up to camp at 185 pounds, about 15 pounds lighter than last season."

 

In the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Chris Tomasson writes that "just about everyone has one in the Western Conference. But not the Nuggets."  The Nuggets who have "been on a Captain Ahab-like quest for a shooting guard" believe "third-year man J.R. Smith, acquired during the offseason, could prove to be that elusive piece."  Reviews "on Smith after Tuesday's first day of training camp at Fort Lewis College were positive."

 

In the INDY STAR, Mike Wells writes that "Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle wasn't joking when he said there was going to be a huge premium on conditioning."  Carlisle "wasted little time in having players wear out the soles of their shoes when he put them through a conditioning-filled first day of training camp."  The Pacers will be running more in practice as the team makes an "attempt to make the transition to playing an up-tempo" game.

 

In the DALLAS MORNING NEWS, Eddie Sefko writes that "the new kids in camp for the Mavericks delivered the perfect message coach Avery Johnson was looking for on the first day of practices."  It's "expected that players will arrive in superior playing condition when camp opens. And the Mavericks did."  The Mavs now hope that their conditioning translates into "the hard-nosed edge that Johnson wants to make sure the Mavericks embrace this season,"