DURHAM, N.C. – It didn’t take more than a couple of minutes watching the opening practice of Nets training camp Tuesday at Duke University to see the impact Kevin Garnett is already having on the team.
Within moments of the media being let into the gym, Garnett could be overheard saying, “If you cheat the drill, you cheat yourself.” He was constantly talking throughout the fast-paced practice, as the coaching staff kept things moving with the mostly veteran group.
“That’s all he does,” Deron Williams said of Garnett’s chatter, laughing. “That’s it. He’s gonna tell you that, as well. That’s good, though, because guys are going to see him talking and it’s contagious. When teams are talking and communicating, that’s the first key to having a successful defense.”
The Nets had a team dinner Monday night upon arriving here for camp, which was followed by a players-and-coaches meeting where they sat in a circle and talked about what each person needed to do achieve their goals this season.
More than one player said that while everyone had a voice in the meeting, Garnett’s stood out among the crowd. And in addition to discussing what each individual player needs to do, Garnett already has declared what the team’s defensive goal is for the season.
“[Garnett] said under 80 points,” Williams said of Garnett’s team defensive benchmark for each game. “That’s definitely tough to do, but that’s what you want to strive for.”
Many felt the biggest thing the Nets lacked last season was a certain passion. That was pointed out after they fell in seven games in the first round of the playoffs to the depleted Bulls, and more recently by coach Jason Kidd – who called last season’s team “vanilla” – and Williams, who said Monday the Nets were “kind of were soft” in that series.
It didn’t take long — just a few minutes into the opening practice of the season — for everyone in the gym to see those things wouldn’t be issues any longer, thanks to Garnett.
“He has a huge [impact],” Kidd said. “He has everyone talking. He’s a guy that only knows one way. He’s a professional, and, again, you saw that this morning from the time he touched the floor until he left.”