Good to see Toronto's second-round draft pick, Nathan Jawai, on the court and starting to get himself back into shape after nearly two months of inactivity. The 6'10" 280 lb Aussie is going through his paces trying to improve his conditioning before he hits the court for game action. Saturday night in San Antonio, there he was, on the floor, in a full sweat while working hard with basketball development consultant Eric Hughes about 45 minutes before the game when all the other players were in the locker room going through their final preparation before facing the Spurs.
Hughes was working on with him on his catching, hand-eye co-ordination and his shooting. Jawai has a nice touch for a big man from about 17-18 feet as he shoots it well. Now mind you, it's sort of like watching a boxer work out with a heavy bag as he looks good but the heavy bag isn't moving and doesn't hit back. But even with no defenders and the open-ended nature of a game missing, Jawai has solid-shooting technique when he steps out on the floor.
Seems like the ball with two different-coloured panels that assistant coach Gord Herbert is using with Roko Ukic to help him with his shot is making the rounds. Jermaine O'Neal is now using it as he goes through his pre-game shooting warm-up as it helps him to ensure the release and subsequent rotation on the ball is correct when he shoots it.
Tony Parker has improved his shooting since coming into the league. Parker worked extensively with Spurs assistant coach Chip Engelland on his shooting stroke before and during the 2005-06 season. Engelland said he made changes to the position Parker's right thumb on the ball when he was shooting. The other subtle adjustment was re-positioning Parker's guide or balance hand so his left thumb was less involved allowing the ball to rotate properly upon release. In speaking with Engelland he had nothing but high praise for Herbert, who he has worked with, which in turn is promising for Ukic in his pursuit of a more consistent jump shot.
The coaching carousel continues to turn and there are already rumours that Flip Saunders may be the frontrunner in a couple of places where there are interim head coaches. Philadelphia and Minnesota according to reports are considering Saunders as a full time replacement. If it were left to Kobe Bryant, he would like to see Boston assistant and defensive guru Tom Thibodeau get a job. This would get him out of "Bean-town" and maybe give the Lakers a better chance at winning it all.
Sounds like former New Jersey Net, Nenad Kristic, is not happy in Russia and may be heading back to the NBA to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Phoenix Suns still have some time to sign a player to meet the league minimum for their roster. One of the players they may be considering is Walker Russell Jr. who is the son of former Raptor assistant and Detroit Piston, Walker D. Russell. The younger Russell will be in tough has the Suns are considering some veteran names to help solve their issues at the point when it comes to backing up Steve Nash.
