Betts
09-25-2008, 07:46 AM
OKC Thunder: Carlesimo is impressed with youngsters
http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-carlesimo-is-impressed-with-youngsters/article/3302419/?tm=1222344899
But the Thunder coach on Wednesday praised their progress this off-season so much that he said both have a leg up going into next week's training camp.
"They look very good,” Carlesimo said. "Those guys have had a real productive summer. They obviously had way above average rookie years. But they've really taken advantage of this summer. I don't think they've done a good job. They've done an exceptional job with how hard they've worked all summer, starting with summer league in Orlando.”.........
Durant and Green have been in Oklahoma City the last few weeks participating in voluntary workouts with most of their teammates. Carlesimo said their work ethic and consistency has stood out most.
"Kevin focused on getting bigger and stronger in addition to working on his game,” Carlesimo said. "His post-up game is noticeably better just watching him play in the pick-up games. He's stronger, and he put on a little bit of weight.”
Carlesimo said Green has returned a better and more consistent shooter after hitting on just 42.7 percent from the field last season, including a 27.6 percent rate from behind the 3-point line.
"Across the board with (strength and conditioning coach) Dwight (Daub) all summer, they did the things you need to do to get better. And that's just a product of Dwight and the assistant coaches working with them, but way more just Kevin and Jeff not taking the summer off and not just going in and pretending like they were working. They worked at their game this summer. They took advantage of it, and it'll pay off.” .......
http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-carlesimo-is-impressed-with-youngsters/article/3302419/?tm=1222344899
But the Thunder coach on Wednesday praised their progress this off-season so much that he said both have a leg up going into next week's training camp.
"They look very good,” Carlesimo said. "Those guys have had a real productive summer. They obviously had way above average rookie years. But they've really taken advantage of this summer. I don't think they've done a good job. They've done an exceptional job with how hard they've worked all summer, starting with summer league in Orlando.”.........
Durant and Green have been in Oklahoma City the last few weeks participating in voluntary workouts with most of their teammates. Carlesimo said their work ethic and consistency has stood out most.
"Kevin focused on getting bigger and stronger in addition to working on his game,” Carlesimo said. "His post-up game is noticeably better just watching him play in the pick-up games. He's stronger, and he put on a little bit of weight.”
Carlesimo said Green has returned a better and more consistent shooter after hitting on just 42.7 percent from the field last season, including a 27.6 percent rate from behind the 3-point line.
"Across the board with (strength and conditioning coach) Dwight (Daub) all summer, they did the things you need to do to get better. And that's just a product of Dwight and the assistant coaches working with them, but way more just Kevin and Jeff not taking the summer off and not just going in and pretending like they were working. They worked at their game this summer. They took advantage of it, and it'll pay off.” .......