Post by doc on Oct 18, 2008 9:43:17 GMT -5
Graham tripped up by mental blocks
Bosh suggests Graham simply thinks too much, which is why his legendary practice-court prowess doesn't translate to the real thing.
"The game will come and he just starts thinking," said Bosh. "And it's like, `No, man, just go play ball. ... Stop thinking!' ... It's all in the head, all mental."
"The game will come and he just starts thinking," said Bosh. "And it's like, `No, man, just go play ball. ... Stop thinking!' ... It's all in the head, all mental."
Graham 'so close'
The player many like to model for Graham is Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest because they each have multi-dimensional games and each can physically overwhelm even most NBA players.
The irony is that Artest's issues — he has a hyper-competitive streak that often undermines his performance — is almost the opposite of Graham, who is a mild-mannered type who sometimes could do with an added dose of ferocity.
He is, by most accounts, perhaps the Raptors best practice player, but in games he can drift away, omitting to even make sins of commission.
"He needs that alter ego where he just know he's good," Bosh said. "If he just steps outside his realm and trusts in his ability, the sky's the limit for that guy."
The irony is that Artest's issues — he has a hyper-competitive streak that often undermines his performance — is almost the opposite of Graham, who is a mild-mannered type who sometimes could do with an added dose of ferocity.
He is, by most accounts, perhaps the Raptors best practice player, but in games he can drift away, omitting to even make sins of commission.
"He needs that alter ego where he just know he's good," Bosh said. "If he just steps outside his realm and trusts in his ability, the sky's the limit for that guy."
Benchwarmer Graham seeking NBA consistency
"I know he wants it, because nobody works as hard as Joey does," Mitchell said. "Joey's going to be in shape every year. You could take Joey Graham to a gym and just give him a diagram of stuff you want him to do, and lock the door, and he's going to do it. You tell him that you're going to be back in two hours, and he's going to work for two hours. That's the great thing about him."
That was evidenced by his going to summer league, something usually reserved for rookies and unsigned free agents.
"Some guys have been going to summer league for four years," Graham said. "Jermaine O'Neal was talking, he went four years straight. It's about playing basketball. That's what it's about, getting better in the summer time. So I didn't have a problem going out there and kicking those young guys' butts."
That was evidenced by his going to summer league, something usually reserved for rookies and unsigned free agents.
"Some guys have been going to summer league for four years," Graham said. "Jermaine O'Neal was talking, he went four years straight. It's about playing basketball. That's what it's about, getting better in the summer time. So I didn't have a problem going out there and kicking those young guys' butts."
Sunshine Girl - 10/18/08
