BasketBall Forums - View Single Post - Dale Davis On Top Of Mohammed In Pistons Camp

DTP · 10-06-2006, 10:52 PM

Heres a more detailed article

Quote:

AUBURN HILLS -- Flip Saunders blew his whistle in the middle of a sloppy scrimmage Thursday morning and sent his players off the court and into the locker room.

Then, after a brief talk, he sent them home.

"I wasn't upset or anything like that," Saunders said. "We've gone really hard and we only have 16 guys in camp and they've gotten a lot of reps. It got a little sloppy at the end I just wanted them to get out of here."

Thursday's practice was the Pistons' third in 26 hours, and fifth since Tuesday.

Saunders said the team had a sharp, intense scrimmage Wednesday night and good conditioning session Thursday morning.

Once they re-started the scrimmages, however, it was clear the legs and spirits were mostly spent.

"The first three days this year have been far better than the first three days were last year," Saunders said. "It's a really fine line between pushing it and wearing them out too much. When it's just not there and you keep going, sometimes that leads to diminished returns."

A highlight in recent scrimmages has been the play of 37-year-old Dale Davis. He was dominating Nazr Mohammed, scoring five straight baskets during one stretch Thursday.

"I think Dale has gotten more reps these last three days than he did all of last year," said Saunders, who expects Davis to be in the rotation, particularly early in the season. "He's a freak of nature in a lot of ways, to be his age and have his body in such great shape. He's been very impressive."

Of course, Saunders was quick to point out Mohammed might be a little weak. He's a devout Muslim and has been fasting in recognition of Ramadan.

Mohammed said he typically loses more than 10 pounds before the end of the month. It's part of the reason why he's started slowly throughout his career.

Rip's regimen

Every season, Richard Hamilton makes it a goal to add something to his game. Last year, he wanted to add the three-point shot to his arsenal and he wound up leading the NBA in three-point proficiency (.458).

This year, it's to be stronger.

"I worked on my legs, my upper body, everything," he said. "I think about how great we played all year and through the first round of the playoffs and how we wore down so fast at the end. I told myself it was never going to happen like that again."

Hamilton is not a proponent of weightlifting. What he did was a lot of plyometric exercises, squats and lunges, and ran hills.

"When you go against Shaq (O'Neal ) and Zo (Alonzo Mourning ) and big guys who grab you and hold you all the time, in the back of my mind, I am always thinking about going right at them," Hamilton said.

But, worn down as he was, he couldn't find that extra gear against Miami during the conference finals. He shot 38 percent and was dealing with a sprained ankle.

"His legs get him open and his legs get him into his shot," Saunders said of Hamilton. "To take away his legs is like taking height away from a center."

Making a move?

Rookie guard Will Blalock and second-year forward Amir Johnson will likely spend the season in Sioux Falls (NBDL).

If that happens, the Pistons will have 12 players -- the maximum on the active roster. Teams typically like to keep one or two extra players on the inactive list.

So, the Pistons could add a player before the end of camp.

President Joe Dumars will be keeping a close eye on the waiver wire. Most likely a veteran point guard would be the target.

Slam dunks

Saunders said there was a good chance Hamilton and Chauncey Billups will be named co-captains.

Johnson is not a 7-footer, yet. But the 19-year-old is close. He was listed 6-foot-9 on draft night, 6-10 last year, and now 6-11 1/2
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Its good to see Dale Davis playing well early I guess but I just can't wait till Nazr get back to full strength. Nazr might not see a lot of action and we may see more of the "small ball" until Nazr does recover from fastening and gets back or atleast half way back to full strength. Good to see that Rip may be named co-captain, I think him or Sheed deserve it but with the techs and everything Sheed won't get it. About the veteran guard, I'm hoping we get a veteran Forward instead because with Dupree struggling with his shot so far in training camp and Delfino so unpredictable a veteran forward might come in handy this season. A veteran big man might be a good pickup too because I just don't have confidence yet that Maxiell is ready to make an impact this season. I thought Maurice Taylor would of been a great pickup.