Raptors' Rookies Arrive at a Brunsoned Training Camp
October 1st, 2003
During training camps past Brunson has become old-hat at being "the new guy." In his fabled NBA career, Brunson has reported to numerous training camps: the Orlando Magic training camp in 1997, the Miami Heat camp in 2000, the Bulls camp in 2002, and now the Raptors camp in 2003.
This exposure to training camps of other NBA franchises in such a short period of time is clearly one of the reasons Raptors management signed Brunson. Through his training-camp tenure, he's become quite adept at learning the names of his new teammates, coaches, trainers, and management. These are the personal skills that Coach O'Neil hopes the rookies can pick up by playing on the scrub team with Brunson and by sitting close to Brunson, you know, at the far end of the bench.
As well, Raptors' management can rely on Brunson to provide them with insight into how his former teams have conducted their recent training camps, hoping this will give the Raptors an advantage in preparing to play these teams during the regular season. This plan has one major drawback. Surprisingly, Brunson never reported to the Knicks' training camp despite having played for the team on three separate occasions. As such, it is believed that he will not be able to provide insight into what it means to actually play for the Knicks.
Rick Brunson .com spoke with Coach O'Neil about what Brunson brings to this training camp: "Rick has met so many people in the NBA. He's elevated personal introduction to a brand new art form. Perhaps when his playing days are done Rick will consider opening a Rick Brunson Training Camp Camp to help others in his situation make it in the big show. He could become the Pete Newell of bench players."
And you thought he was just a one-dimensional butt-slapping, towel-waving bench player!
