Training camp shifted from PCOM to Saint Josephs University Sunday morning, and in attendance was Sixers majority owner Joshua Harris. This was the first time Harris got an up-close look at his new investment.
Coach Doug Collins is great and in command but he lets his assistant coaches run some of the practice, which is great, Harris said. And the players were really engaged and seemed happy to be here. So everyone seems great and the team is ready to gel.
Its fun because its Harris first chance to see the guys and see what he has invested in and get excited, Collins said. The games and the basketball are the fun part and he is finally getting to see that side of it.
Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes made a point to go and introduce themselves to both Harris and CEO Adam Aron. Hawes had just finished his first practice after signing a one-year qualifying offer earlier in the day. He worked hard in the off-season and is prepared to do as his coach has asked: play big.
I just need to be more of a presence in there at both ends of the floor, Hawes said. Offensively, demand more down there and be more productive, and defensively, try to be the anchor for the team.
Last season, Hawes averaged seven points and six rebounds. His previous two seasons with the Kings, he was a double-figure scorer. He can be that againand he is certainly off to the right start in his coachs eyes.
Spencer looks really, really good, Collins said. He is so smart and he is skilled. We spend about an hour before every practice where the players hear my voice and we do a lot of teaching. There is a lot of shooting in that hour, and Spencer was great. His body looks good; he looks bouncy. Where he is this year compared to last year is miles ahead.
NBA
During the lockout, Hawes was mostly in Seattle, which is where he grew up. He found a former six-time NBA all-star and Sonics big man to workout with.
I worked out with Shawn Kemp a lot on getting position and demanding position and demanding the ball down there, Hawes said. I think being able to step back and take a more cerebral approach as well with regard to post play has helped me out and will help me this year on the court.
This is the best off-season I have had, and obviously, it was extended. I was in the weight room doing yoga. I kind of took a more diverse approach to working out non-basketball stuff. My body feels in pretty good shape. My wind has to catch up but everyones does.
Teams could not control what their players did this summer because there was a work stoppage, but when it came to this Sixers roster, each guy took it upon himself to be ready for whenever they got called back to work.
That can only help Collins and his staff, who are working diligently to have a prepared product take the floor on Dec. 26, when the team opens against the Trailblazers on the road.
Meanwhile, Harris and Aaron are making sure they can unveil their new fan experience on Jan. 6 at the home opener, which will include the teams new mascot. Harris said he was utterly amazed at how engaged the fans have gotten on the mascot issue.
I know it is symbolic. Its important, but the level of intensity of the fans reaction to the mascot has been amazing to me, Harris said. But we are taking that seriously but I also feel so far that we have been welcome in Philly which I really enjoy and I want to continue to engage in that way and feel positive.
It is clear that Harris wants his latest investment to be an appealing product to the fan base but his honesty in what will ultimately make that happen is refreshing. Just win, baby.
I think we are getting a lot of appreciation for what we are doing on the experience and lowering the ticket pricing and listening, Harris said. And all that stuff, people say, we appreciate that stuff but at the same time, deliver us wins. Obviously we are going to do our best to try and accomplish that, but fate will have a little play in that, too.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com