Orlando Magic coach Scott Skiles and Toronto Raptors play caller, Dwane Casey made themselves to the media today at the O2 Arena. Here’s TalkBasket’s notebook of quotes from what they had to say.
You can excuse the Orlando Magic for feeling the jet lag following their arrival into London yesterday evening.
But a tired looking Magic coach Scott Skiles is still happy with the focused mindset of the team ahead of Thursday’s game with the Toronto Raptors at the o2 Arena.
“The guys were good today,” he said. “We worked pretty hard for a while, the guys had good energy after we shook off the flight and everything and hopefully we will come out and play well.
But the young Magic side, currently occupying the eighth and final Playoff spot in the Eastern Conference are on a slippery slope at the moment. They have lost five of their last six games, and hopefully a change of scenery might aid their cause.
“I certainly so,” Skiles admitted.
“We happen to be playing a team that is playing very well right now and we have lost to some teams that haven’t played well. So, we are going to prepare for Toronto like we would prepare for any other team but the focus really has to be on us and what we’re doing.”
A positive though for the Magic will be the return to the team of Elfrid Payton, who has missed the last four Orlando games, took part in training earlier today, showing no signs of his ankle soreness that has bothered him.
“I thought Elfrid looked good,” Skiles said.
“He didn’t show any signs of anything so unless something happens overnight I’m sure he’ll be ready to go.”
Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey looked more relaxed, more at home than his opposite number and despite being in the UK an extra day longer than Orlando, and the players having their families with them, this is still a business trip.
“It’s our job, we’re professionals, I reiterate that to guys all the time,” Casey said. “It’s great to be in another city, another country but we’re professionals here to do a job. We’re here to play a game tomorrow night and that’s our number one goal. Our families are enjoying the city and everything but again, our guys are mature enough and professional enough to understand that we are here for a game.”
It is usually said that the best thing about NBA teams travelling to London for a regular season game is the amount of rest that they get.
Casey admits that the jet lag has mostly worn off, but it’s still present.
“This is a tough time but tonight shouldn’t be an issue because the jet lag catches up but during the day is little bit different during the morning is also a little bit different but we have done our sleep study, what time to get up, what time to go to bed so hopefully that kicks in but when it comes to game time, that shouldn’t be an issue.”
