03-11-2008, 07:06 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Player
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: OC CA
Posts: 675
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Orlando leadership a question for players
Quote:
Orlando leadership a question for players
BY JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO - General manager Otis Smith and head coach Stan Van Gundy met with Orlando Magic co-captains Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson following Monday morning's practice, hoping to stress upon them and the team the importance of the season's closing kick.
Orlando lost to Golden State on Saturday, and Van Gundy was highly upset the Magic were outhustled and outworked on several instances.
Howard and Nelson wouldn't reveal the specifics of the conversations, but Howard did say Smith and Van Gundy are pining for them to take a more active role in the leadership of the team.
That's a role Howard, 22, has shied away from in the past because of his youth and inexperience, but he's tried to become more vocal and more assertive this season.
"They just want us to understand that everybody is looking at us in the organization and in Orlando," Howard said. "Even though we're young, we've been put in a position to lead, and we've got to do it. We have to set the right example."
Van Gundy has lamented the fact the Magic don't have veteran-type leaders, and he stresses so-called "vocal leaders" are vastly overrated. What is important, he says, is how players work in practice, and how hard they play in games.
Howard said his best form of leadership comes through the example he sets every day he's around his teammates. Those players and Van Gundy picked the blossoming Howard and Nelson as co-captains before the season started.
"It's tough because we have a lot of older guys on the team, and sometimes they know more than you do and it's hard to let them know what they need to do," Howard said. "But I just try to lead by example. But that's why myself and Jameer were picked as captains. We just have to lead our team.
"I'm always talking to the fellas, but to me it's about being an example on the court and in the locker room and putting forth the right effort in games, practice and in the weight room.
"I love doing it. It's fun, but it's a lot of responsibility. A lot of things fall on my shoulders. I know everybody is looking at me, and I have to set the example."
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hopefully Dwight and Jameer can start to really take a hold of this team before the postseason and lead this franchise in the right direction. i think making these guys captains was a good move, but now it's time too see what they have inside.
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbc...22/1002/SPORTS
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Orlando leadership a question for players
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