Chicago Bulls 08-09 training camp.
The opening day.
" Damn, that's an huge place.. You were here last year too, right ? " Rose asked from Tyrus while staring at the huge hallway of the Berto Center. Thomas started laughing and pointed at the door which led to the wardrobe. They walked in there, and saw everyone else in there already.
" Hey whats up ? We we're last ? " Thomas asked from his teammates.
" Yeah, you weren't late though. Coach will be here in a moment. " Gooden said.
Nocioni started laughing. " And by the way, " he said. " those assistants, they're really funny. Well, atleast one is, he's argentinian. "
" For real ? Who is he, what's his name ? " Deng asked with an interested face.
Santino Pereira walked into the room, barely reaching the doorknob.
" Y'all talkin' about me eh ? " he asked with a smile on his face.
When everybody noticed him, the room was full of laughter.
Derrick and Tyrus both had taken a seat already.
Tyrus whispered Derrick: " Holy smoke .. Dude's like 5'0", how's he going to coach us ? " Rose just laughed.
" Anyways, I'm Santino Pereira .. an assistant, I'm mostly going to work on your defense, but other stuff too. If you don't shut up, you push up.. ah, right, I got a schedule given already.. " he told to his disciples.
After mr. Pereira had introduced himself, coach Del Negro, trainer Emmanuel Sato and the other assistant, Noah Montero entered the wardrobe.
" Hey everyone .. " Vinny Del Negro said without even looking at the players, but looking for something from his bag.
" Hello coach. " the team responded.
Del Negro found his diary, and without further ado he introduced the staff around him. The team also greeted the staff.
" Alright.. it's time to get started, " the coach said with a smile on his face. " change your clothes and get to the gym, you have 2 minutes. "
Everyone except Aaron Gray got to the gym in 2 minutes. Gray was late 20 seconds, and had to do 200 pushups next to the court.
" Alright, so, let's first introduce ourselves. Let's see .. Gray, you start. Keep doing the pushups, and introduce yourself. "
" I.. I am Aaron..
hundred 'n seven.. I w-want to average a double-double, sir ! " he said.
" So, about me .. I wanna play a lot y'know and I'm here 'cause it's ma job eh. " Larry Hughes said.
Drew Gooden thought to himself: " What a joke.. "
Everyone else passed normally, but the last one was the 1st pick and the rookie Derrick Rose.
" I'm Derrick Rose, and .. I'm here to win.. If the ball not goin' in, I'm still going to give my whole. "
" TWO HUNDRED SIR ! " Aaron Gray shouted. Again, the gym was full of laughter as he looked like a beet.
" Alright .. First of all, today, you are not going to work your asses off, but I'll just motivate you for the season. You'll be taken to forest by our bus driver, Billy. There's a good running path, and you'll run yourself in shape. " Del Negro said.
" Coach, how long is it ? " Nocioni asked.
" From start the start to the end. " the coach answered. " Oh, and I almost forgot. You'll carry two 10 kg dumbbells with you. "
After three hours, everyone was back.
" Ugh.. I smell sweat. " said assistant Noah Montero, trying to sound funny.
" Was it hard ? " the argentinian assistant mumbled.
Nobody answered.
Thabo leaned near Nocioni and asked: " Whadda hell is the man talkin' about ? " he asked. Andres just shrugged looking at Thabo.
The evening continued as it was scheduled. The assistants didn't have much to do, but coach Vinny Del Negro put the forces together and tried to gel the team.
_____
During the next six days, the Bulls worked real hard. Shooting specialist, Noah Montero and defensive specialist, Santino Pereira had a lot of work to do. Clear to see, most effort was put on the rookie star, Derrick rose. Defense and shooting also appeared to be his biggest shortages. During the pickup games, Vinny Del Negro made it clear.
" DEFENSE ! ", " Rose where the hell are you !? You got screened, what do you do !? " , " D, D, D ! " , " GRAY, God damnit, that's a foul not block, 500 pushups in the end of the practice ! " His message was Defense. That's was the worse side of the team last year, but Vinny Del Negro will try to build it up.
" Coach, we gonna play offense, too ? " Hughes asked.
" Why ? " Del Negro answered with a question.
" Offense wins games, coach .. " Hughes answered.
" Well, defense wins championships ! 100 suicides in the end on the practice. " the coach said.
The defensive assistant, Santino Pereira, worked a lot on teams big problem - leaving shooters wide open. Rose was also taught his defensive IQ, so he wouldn't be lost on the D.
The offensive assistant, shooting specialist, Noah Montero, taught everyone correct shooting technique. He also taught when to shoot, when to pass to a shooter and more about offense.