We are less than a month away from the NBA tipping off and the training camps for all teams has begun. With the pre-season games scheduled to begin from the coming weekend, the training camps, scrimmages have began as the teams try to get as much practice as they can before facing other teams.So here are the highlights from the training camps and official scrimmages of a few teams.
#1 Cleveland Cavaliers
With their King back home, Cleveland can once again have legitmate hopes of a championship. LeBron James coming home has attracted a lot of other players to the franchise for the coming season like Shawn Marion, Kevin Love and former teammates Mike Miller and James Jones.
Under the new Head Coach David Blatt who was extremely successfully in leagues internationally, the Cavaliers look set to welcome the beginning of a successful era of the Big 3 (James, Love and Kyrie Irving).
#2 Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant played only six games and Steve Nash was constantly in and out of the squad due to back troubles which made the last season a forgettable one for the Lakers. On the flip side, the time off has given both veterans enough time to recover. Bryant and Nash looked fit, ready and comfortable during the teams 5 on 5 scrimmage.
#3 New York Knicks
New York Knicks have one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history despite having on of the best players in the league in Carmelo Anthony with them. However since Phil Jackson has taken over the President of Basketball Operations, the mood in New York seems to have gotten calmer.
Jackson has made key changes to the roster which help it grow in terms of chemistry as well as the game. With just five players on the court at a time, the team seems to be practising plays which they would call during a match with screen, back cuts and hand-offs. Individual defensive drills also seem to be given lots of importance under new Head Coach Derek Fisher.
#4 Portland Trailblazers
The team surprised everyone with their performance last season but at the same time their key and major weaknesses were also put on display. A short and unproductive bench led to long minutes on the court for the starters of this team last season.
The franchise has gone and taken care of that by picking up key veteran contributors off the bench like Steve Blake and Chris Kaman. Expect another great season from this talented team. A scrimmage seems to be going on in the video with owners, management looking on.
