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Post by thirstyboots18 on Sept 12, 2013 15:57:25 GMT -5
Last year I discovered a pro basketball camp in my neighborhood, actually in the community center where I take line dance lessons!  I started staying to observe last summer, and saw Martelle Webster (who was a free agent at the time, but ended up with the Wizards last year), and Tony Gaffney (who had spent a short stint with the Celtics). I hadn't had a chance to go back this year until today. The camp director, David Thorpe (who is a draft expert for ESPN), was coaching today along with another coach and 5 players. Among the players were Omri Casspi (Rockets, the only Israeli in the NBA) and Corey Brewer (Timberwolves). I reintroduced myself to David Thorpe. (He actually asked me if I was a coach!) and spoke to Corey Brewer for a few minutes before they broke for lunch. Corey was a really interesting player to watch...flashy, but in a quiet, controlled way...worked really hard on his game. I couldn't take my eyes off him and his slick moves. (We had a little laugh at one point, when he sank a basket from behind the backboard. I remarked that "there is only one Larry Bird!" and he laughed and agreed with me. He was fun to watch, and I will keep an eye on him this season. He is quite an impressive young man. The cast, players and coaches, changes daily...and the camp will probably continue until after preseason starts. I was told last year that it is for NBA players to get in shape, for hopefuls to get ready for the draft or hoping to be picked up for a preseason look, and for college players to learn pro moves. They also spend time video taping training skills/drills. As usual, I was the only "token old lady," and, in fact, the only spectator. I hope to get back to see more in a couple weeks. |
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Post by freshnthehouse on Sept 12, 2013 17:58:52 GMT -5
That sounds like a blast! Especially being the only spectator. I was a big fan of Brewer's game coming out of Florida. I thought he was going to make a better pro, but to his credit his found a place for himself in the league. I hope things work out for him in Minny. If I remember correctly he was a small town kid that grew up on a tobacco farm.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 12, 2013 23:44:43 GMT -5
Oh, wow!!! You take line dance lessons!!!  Thirstyboots, please share what you see and your experiences with the players and coaches. This is great!!! |
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Post by thirstyboots18 on Sept 13, 2013 7:44:03 GMT -5
For anyone interested
who might be in the area, the camp is held at the Countryside Community Center in Clearwater, FL.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Sept 14, 2013 13:48:17 GMT -5
Awesome! That is a great experience. Always nice to meet NBA players and find that they are nice people and not spoiled by the money and fame. looking forward to hearing more about your exploits.
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Post by thirstyboots18 on Sept 14, 2013 20:59:55 GMT -5
It has been fun, and I am sorry I didn't have time to watch more this summer.
Last summer (2012) there were a few younger (my guess is 12 +/- years old) there one day. The court has six baskets, 2 full court and 4 half court, and they were doing the drills on one of them, but not interfering with the regulars. When they noticed the look of amazement on my face, I was told that one of them was Coach's nephew. I think it might have been Thorpe's nephew, but don't remember. Anyway, he was like a little Pistol Pete Maravich. He did the dribbling skills better than some of the college guys...cross overs, behind the back, between the legs. Passing, same way. Very very impressive. His feet never stopped moving. That is one of my pet peeves...(lack of movement) but I realize that kids have more energy than adults, lol). He looked ready to suit up now, except for his size, ha ha ha, and his shots hadn't caught up to his ball handling skills...but they were pretty good for his age!
There always seem to be new coaches and players there, and it is (to me at least) very interesting.
They also use the same courts to film skills training drills. Last year I signed up for their newsletter, "BasketballHQ.com" which included some of those drills,but I recently stopped getting it and "Coaching Toolbox" started showing up in my mailbox. (maybe a replacement or name change?)
I looked up Corey Brewer (I indicated how impressed I was with him), and found that he will be up against Chase Buddinger for the starting position. Since Buddinger evidently does not play defense and seems fond of the three point shot (remind you of Antoine Walker?) and Corey does play defense and attacks the basket, to me the choice is obvious. Corey is 6'9" and is listed as a F/G. He reminds me of a young Paul Pierce. (Not saying he will or won't be as good...) I really only watched him practice drills for a couple hours, after all.
I am going on a little road trip to meet a couple of my fellow Chat Mods on CelticsBlog. Will check back in in about a week and 1/2, unless I have internet connection on the road.
Emotionally, now, I am sort of between still heartbroken because the core was shredded and starting to get antsy for the beginning of the new era...depending on what time it is.
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Post by freshnthehouse on Sept 15, 2013 5:56:46 GMT -5
If I ever had a kid that showed interest in basketball, i'd always steer them towards working on their dribbling. If your kid can handle the ball, it's going to give him a leg up on the competition and they will be given minutes at a young age. No better way to hone your skills that playing a ton of organized ball at a young age.
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 17, 2013 21:53:58 GMT -5
Last year I discovered a pro basketball camp in my neighborhood, actually in the community center where I take line dance lessons! I started staying to observe last summer, and saw Martelle Webster (who was a free agent at the time, but ended up with the Wizards last year), and Tony Gaffney (who had spent a short stint with the Celtics). I hadn't had a chance to go back this year until today. The camp director, David Thorpe (who is a draft expert for ESPN), was coaching today along with another coach and 5 players. Among the players were Omri Casspi (Rockets, the only Israeli in the NBA) and Corey Brewer (Timberwolves). I reintroduced myself to David Thorpe. (He actually asked me if I was a coach!) and spoke to Corey Brewer for a few minutes before they broke for lunch. Corey was a really interesting player to watch...flashy, but in a quiet, controlled way...worked really hard on his game. I couldn't take my eyes off him and his slick moves. (We had a little laugh at one point, when he sank a basket from behind the backboard. I remarked that "there is only one Larry Bird!" and he laughed and agreed with me. He was fun to watch, and I will keep an eye on him this season. He is quite an impressive young man. The cast, players and coaches, changes daily...and the camp will probably continue until after preseason starts. I was told last year that it is for NBA players to get in shape, for hopefuls to get ready for the draft or hoping to be picked up for a preseason look, and for college players to learn pro moves. They also spend time video taping training skills/drills. As usual, I was the only "token old lady," and, in fact, the only spectator. I hope to get back to see more in a couple weeks. Good read. Thanks for the sharing. |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Sept 22, 2013 20:41:33 GMT -5
When my son played in high school, I always encouraged him to work on his defense. He was Defensive Player of the Year all 4 years on Varsity. He was also defensive player of the year in soccer. I remember one soccer game he held the district's leading scorer, who was averaging 3 goals a game, scoreless. The kid was so mad he spit on Paul's shoe after the game.
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Post by eja117 on Oct 13, 2013 12:18:00 GMT -5
TB it looks like your buddy Corey will be starting since Chase got hurt for the year.
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Post by thirstyboots18 on Oct 14, 2013 15:10:15 GMT -5
Thanks, eja117. I haven't been paying attention to basketball yet...still watching baseball and football. (yep....I am a sports junkie!)
Even if Chase wasn't out, (completely disregarding my bias, of course) I bet Corey would have ended up with a good sized role, if not starter, this year. I will try to pay more attention. ;-)
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Post by thirstyboots18 on Sept 4, 2014 12:57:20 GMT -5
I have been out of commission this summer, had an operation on my neck, and it is against the law to drive with a cervical collar in Florida, but am told the BB camp is going on now at the community center. I am hoping to be able to drive soon to get over there for a look (and, of course, to dance). I have really enjoyed that camp the last few years.
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Post by freshnthehouse on Sept 5, 2014 2:47:07 GMT -5
If you do attend please fill us in on the details. And I hope your neck gets better soon!
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Sept 5, 2014 6:28:10 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your neck TB! Hope it heals quickly. I know about the out of commission stuff. It's no fun! Take care of yourself and I hope you get to go to the camp. Get well soon!!!
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Post by thirstyboots18 on Sept 11, 2014 15:10:29 GMT -5
I am finally cleared to drive. This morning I went over to the Community Center a hour early for my dance lesson, just in case.
Just in case happened...David Thorpe's basketball camp was going on! (I think it was the last day, or at least close to...) Omri Casspi and Corey Brewer were again in attendance. Corey came over to say hi, and at the end told me to have a good year. (I have no idea if he recognized me from last year or if he was just being pleasant.) He seemed to be in a particularly good mood, laughing and joking...making fun of himself when he dribbled the ball off his knee! Casspi looked much smoother and more at ease than last year. I wish both these guys good luck this year.
I am really sorry I didn't have a chance to see more of the camp this year, but am grateful that I got to watch today.
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I started staying to observe last summer, and saw Martelle Webster (who was a free agent at the time, but ended up with the Wizards last year), and Tony Gaffney (who had spent a short stint with the Celtics).
