Cavaliers Training Camp 07-08
It was the first day of training camp on the newly opened practice facility which features two practice courts, a team meeting room with theater-style seating, and a modern athletic training room and high-tech features like MP3 sockets throughout the building.
“Oh man! I am one lucky dude. This facility is way, way better that what we have in Seattle,” said newcomer Delonte West upon entering the building.
“Amen to that, AMEN!” said Szczerbiak.
The players were all impressed as one by one they started to enter the facility. As soon as all of them arrived they started to do their stretchings and personal rituals, as they wait for the arrival of Coach Mike Brown.
“Hey DJ, have you seen Coach yet?” asked Lebron.
“Nah, they are probably still planning what activities we are gonna do today. Uhmm.. Got an idea though, since our facility is new and all, why don’t we smoke the basket? Who here wants to take on the GREATEST SHOOTER ON EARTH?” shouted Damon Jones. “How bout you Boobie? Wanna challenge the greatest?”
“Yah, sure will DJ. Uhmm.. But what happens if I beat you?” asked Boobie.
“Let’s see. Uhmm.. I got one, IF and ONLY IF you beat me, I will carry your luggage all throughout the preseason, including our games in China, and vice versa. That’s cool right?” explained Damon.
Gibson nodded in agreement with Jones and is preparing to start the challenge. The player who scores the most three-pointers from the top of the key in 30 seconds will win. Lebron, Ben and Sasha all went under the basket to retrieve the balls while others watched on the sidelines betting on who will win.
Gibson shot first and he scored 5 three pointers. He has a smile on his face as he walks to the bench ready to see how the self-proclaimed greatest shooter will do.
“It’s your turn now your highness! Good Luck!” joked Gibson.
Halfway through DJ’s time he has already scored 4 points. As candid as DJ is he tried using his left hand just to make fun of Boobie. And he even nailed one to tie it at 5 with still 6 seconds left. Until...
“PPRRRRRTTTTTT!” the sound of a whistle. It was Coach Brown walking towards the court. “Playtime’s over boys, time to work!”
DJ wasn’t able to nail another jumper so they were tied at 5. He wasn’t able to put up another shot as Mike Brown called all of them over. Boobie definitely got out of being treated as a rookie all over again.
“I’ll get you next time..” chuckled DJ while his other teammates smiled.
“Alright guys! Huddle up!” exclaimed Brown. “This is our first day in training camp and I want all of you to work hard. We have several new players in our team so you better get accustomed playing with them. Learn the offense and most importantly our defense. But before we start since we have several new faces, I just want all of you to introduce yourselves, say your name and little something about you.”
“I am Devin Brown, I have bounced around the league and hopefully this is where I find my home,” said Devin.
“I’m Ben Wallace, and I am willing to do anything to help us get some wins,” said a determined Wallace.
“I am Damon Jones aka DJ aka GREATEST SHOOTAH ON EARTH and I am here to bury some three’s for you coach.” Jones said with a big smile on his face.
Some of them hiding their laughter because of DJ’s antics. And after a few minutes, all players have spoken except for one...
“Hi! My name is Lebron James and I want to win a championship!”
After that statement everybody went into serious mode. Everyone knew what their goal is this season as said by their leader. Even the hilarious Damon Jones stopped fooling around. It was time to RISE UP... and get down to business..
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It has been six days since training camp began and everybody was minding their tasks at hand when newly named special assistant to the GM Zoilo Resurreccion came to visit the team with GM Danny Ferry.
The Cavs were having a 5 on 5 scrimmage and with just 5 seconds left on the clock, with the scored tied. Lebron James drew the defense and then kicked it out to the open Daniel Gibson.
“SWISSSHHH!” Gibson nailed the jumper and saved the starters from doing push-ups.
“BENGGAA!!” shouted Boobie after he hit the buzzer beater.
Lebron James came up to him and gave him a pat on the head. He was then motioned by Danny Ferry to come over and talk with him.
“How y’all doin sir? I believe you are the new assistant to the GM right?” asked Lebron while extending his hand for a handshake.
“Yeah.. I guess that’s right. I am Zoilo better yet why don’t you just call me Lil Z since we have Zydrunas as Big Z. I think that would be better.” explained Resurreccion.
“Okay, that’s cool boss, err, I mean Lil Z. Uhmm.. Could you guys excuse me coz I think we still have some video tapes to watch from last year’s Finals. Better learn from mistakes, right? So, I’ll be seeing you guys.” James said running to the direction of his teammates.
“Sure! If there’s anything you need you can tell anyone of us!” Ferry offered.
As training camp approaches it’s final hours, was there enough time to get the team to gel? Or will it take some time for them to work like a well-oiled machine? Luckily for the Cavs, there is still a preseason and hopefully playing more with each other can get them to overcome their differences...