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Notes: Training camp

Purch

Purch

Well-Known Member
First day of practice for the Utah Jazz. Seventeen players walked on the court, 17 walked off.

The practice was preceded by a meeting, during which goals were set and players introduced themselves to each other.

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said several players were in less than ideal shape, but no one was completely off the scale.

The first day was mostly devoted to fundamentals and basic offensive work.

Deron Williams and Al Jefferson laid out the basics of the pick and roll — Jefferson is not an alley-oop fiend, so Williams will use bounce passes when the hoop is unguarded. Williams asked Raja Bell to work with C.J. Miles on defense.

Williams said working out the kinks in the offense will take more time this season, due to the addition of Jefferson and the youth of many players. But Williams was optimistic that everything would flow smoothly by Oct. 27.

Gordon Hayward acknowledged being nervous, and said it was impossible to compare college to the pros. Hayward said the meeting left him thinking "It's here."

Hayward was the last player to leave the court.

Williams drew laughs by holding up an official sign that read "Deron Williams" before sitting on a trainer's table and speaking with the media.

Mehmet Okur attended practice.
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https://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogs/jazznotes/50372041-62/williams-players-hayward-jazz.html.csp
 
I like the blog entry saying Raja Bell will be working with CJ on playing defense. So it sounds like CJ is gonna be playing some SG and Raja will be in his ear regarding his D; gotta like that!!
 
My prediction is that CJ is going to be the most improved this season.

I know we all have sky-high expectations when training camp begins, but I really believe this is the 2nd-best team in the WC - better than Dallas, better than OKC. And in a competitive conference all it takes is a injury to a key Laker for an upset to happen. Bynum is already hobbled. Take away Gasol or Odom and LA sudden becomes very beatable.

CJ, AK and Raja with a dash of Flash - that's going to be a nice rotation at the 2/3. Great to hear Williams has asked Bell to work with Miles on his defense. Deron is really taking over the team. It sounds like he's a lot more comfortable without Boozer around. Carlos was always talking about "his guys" and I think Deron was kind of forced to go along in order to not cause contention.

Sounds like CJ is really happy to be on the Jazz. Money talks, but you hope he shows some loyalty to Utah come contract time. I know, some of the Miles haters WANT him to leave. But I think he's got a ton of upside still. He's developed a little slower than what we'd like, but we forget he's just 23. That's 3 years younger than Deron. And younger than anyone else except the 3 new rookies.
 
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