THE Portland Path Blazers held their remaining day with two practices on Thursday.
“The (gamers) will occasion tonight,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups mentioned.
They need to be pleased that they solely should endure twice a day.
NBA groups can maintain two practices per day, a most of six instances. Billups has held simply two, which is 2 greater than he achieved in his first three seasons mixed.
He selected this path as a result of this yr’s squad is youthful than these he has had prior to now.
“We’ve got a lot to be taught, and also you’re making an attempt to determine a tradition of competitiveness and rigor, and two a day shouldn’t be simple,” Billups mentioned.
Operating two practices, Billups mentioned, permits him to maintain gamers centered longer.
“Once you break up, you get their consideration on a regular basis,” Billups mentioned.
NBA groups can solely apply 3.5 hours a day. Billups broke that allotted time Tuesday and Thursday.
Thursday morning, the Blazers labored primarily on taking pictures. The plan for the night was to extend the depth.
“As we speak I wished us to do a whole lot of taking pictures,” Billups mentioned. “Some ending stuff after which just a little primer on a number of completely different defensive coverages and a few offensive methods we are able to assault sure issues. Simply sort of organising. Discreet morning. I wished to get out and in. We’ll do some extra tonight.
Portland Path Blazers ahead Toumani Camara, left, seems to get round Houston Rockets guard Aaron Vacation, through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photograph/Michael Wyke)APP.A.
Ahead Toumani Camara mentioned he likes to coach twice a day.
“It’s one thing I additionally do in the summertime,” he mentioned. “It’s simply the way in which I prepare. Often I reverse it. Compete within the morning, then attempt to get extra photographs at night time. It is only a completely different dynamic. However sure, I prefer it.
Most, if not all, of the Blazers most likely would not have appreciated what Billups endured as a participant.
“I by no means did two video games a day till the tip after I was previous,” mentioned Billups, who performed from 1997 to 2014.
Billups was drafted by Boston in 1997. Beneath coach Rick Pitino, the Celtics held two video games a day, six days per week for 3 weeks, based on Billups. On preseason recreation days, they practiced for two 1/2 hours within the morning.
Billups mentioned the older he obtained, the extra gamers across the league started to talk out in opposition to coaches.
“I believe that’s once they began placing collectively a collective bargaining settlement,” Billups mentioned.
Billups mentioned he would by no means name his present gamers comfortable in comparison with the gamers of his period. However he estimates that the workload is considerably much less.
“I’d say it’s simple for them,” Billups mentioned. “In the event that they needed to undergo what we needed to undergo, it might be very troublesome. That is all I’d say.
–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
