Orlando and Oklahoma City are the first two NBA teams to opt for unified team workouts during the lockout as a way of building team growth for the future.
It’s a good sign that both playoff-caliber teams are joining for voluntary workouts. And considering the reputation of both franchises, it’s not really that much of a surprise.
The Thunder are doing their camp this week. Hoops World.com reports that key players like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Eric Maynor, Cole Aldrich, Nick Collison and top draft pick Reggie Johnson .
Garnett has been playing in seemingly every major playground game involving NBA players this summer. But the unity of the Thunder team with him is noteworthy.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic are getting together beginning next week. Jameer Nelson, Quentin Richardson and Dwight Howard.
“I just want guys to get together a few days a week just to get back in the flow of things as much as we can and get some weightlifting in and some conditioning and get some shots up,” Nelson told the Sentinel.
Nelson added that he wants the workouts to be as close to possible to what the Magic would be experiencing at training camp.
“This is the time we all come back into town and just get together and get around each other and hang out a little bit, whether it’s dinner or going to watch a couple of football games, and work out during the day,” Nelson said.
“It doesn’t have to be an everyday thing because we have a veteran team. Guys still do their own thing working on their bodies individually, and to my understanding, most guys are [working on their own] right now.”
It wouldn’t be surprising to see some of the Spurs plan some similar work once the FIBA tournaments conclude and all of the players are through with their international commitments are concluded.
