Grizzlies ragged but energetic on first day of camp

BIRMINGHAM -- Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins ended the first day of his first NBA training camp by challenging his players to a game of "go home or sprint."

One player had to dunk while another sank a free throw while a different teammate buried a 3-pointer -- all in sequence -- so the team could board the bus and return to the hotel.

If not, the Grizzlies had to run the length of the court.

It took a few tries. But guard Marcus Williams finally ended the night session with a long-range basket that led to a roar and wrapped up a day in which there was plenty of trial and error.

The Griz have a lot to smooth out. But that was to be expected with a bunch of players coming together for the first time.

"Raggedy," Hollins said when asked to sum up the day. "They worked hard but we have a long ways to go. It was raggedy, but with good effort."

Hollins brought the team to Birmingham-Southern College as part of a bonding mission. The process continues all week with two-a-day practices.

Tuesday's sessions were geared more toward conditioning and introducing basic offensive and defensive principles.

"Coach is really teaching," fourth-year forward Rudy Gay said. "And we're serious. We're having fun but there are no distractions. Everything is organized and everyone is on the same page. We all want to win."

Veteran guard Allen Iverson appeared to enjoy his new surroundings. The 34-year-old in his 14th season sang whenever there were stops in the action, yet went through every drill with high energy or in game mode.

"I still hate (training camp)," Iverson said, laughing. "But if you can get through training camp, it makes it easier to get through the season. ... It's different because I'm the oldest one in here. I feel like one of the coaches."

The Grizzlies' first scrimmage during the morning session had Iverson working with the second unit.

Gay, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol made up the first team.

Hollins cautioned not to read too much into early lineup combinations. He told the team that the players who started last season begin camp in starting roles.

Randolph played with the first unit because second-year forward Darrell Arthur suffered a strained pec muscle while lifting weights last week. No timetable has been set for Arthur's return.

"We'll do it that way until guys prove otherwise," Hollins said. "Every team I've been on has required the new guys to fit in."