CJ eyes NBA
Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 03:32 PM
NBL, Daily Telegraph
http://nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=2458
Despite facing the prospect of losing his star point guard after this season, the Daily Telegraph writes that Brian Goorjian is doing whatever it takes to get CJ Bruton into the NBA.
The Kings coach told The Daily Telegraphy's Tim Morrissey that several NBA teams were showing an interest in the 29-year-old Bruton and that he had the star following the work-out program of reigning NBA MVP Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns to get him into proper physical shape needed to break into the 'Show'.
"I'm planting the seed to really try and get CJ mentally focusing on the NBA as his main goal," Goorjian said.
Bruton is reportedly practising his three-point shooting daily from NBA range instead of the closer NBL arc.
Goorjian, who is also Boomers head coach, will reportedly allow Bruton to bypass the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne to play in the tail end of the European season to further sharpen his skills.
Bruton told the Telegraph that the Toronto Raptors had been interested in him around late June's NBA Draft but they instead opted for Spanish playmaker Jose Calderon.
"The Raptors were the main team to show interest but the European player they were also interested in got out of his contract so they signed him," Bruton said.
Goorjian said he believes the NBA interest in the son of NBL Hall of Famer Cal Bruton is genuine.
"In China I was with one of the scouts from the Los Angeles Lakers and I asked him what did he think of CJ and his response was, 'He's close to making it'," Goorjian said. "CJ is definitely not off the NBA radar and everyone is starting to talk about him now because three years ago he was a dead man walking; there was no interest at all."
Bruton was selected in the second round of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies before immediately being traded to Portland. He wasn't able to snare a prized spot on the TrailBlazers roster however and returned to Australia.
In order to allow his body to cope with the gruelling 82-game NBA schedule, Goorjian has Bruton on Nash's tough training regime.
"Steve Nash's whole thing is his conditioning - he is the best-conditioned athlete in the NBA. That's why he won the MVP and his work-out is like nobody else's," Goorjian said.
"I'm very aware of what it takes to play in the NBA and I think if CJ can take his game to the next level he can do it."
"He's a lot smarter, he's a lot more team oriented, he's a better leader, he's better defensively than when he was drafted and everyone knows he can score."
Bruton admits he is keen to give the NBA a go.
"I don't want to finish my career in Australia without giving the NBA and Europe another shot," he said.
Ah well good luck to him. Personally I don't think he will make but I hope times proves me wrong.
Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 03:32 PM
NBL, Daily Telegraph
http://nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=2458
The Kings coach told The Daily Telegraphy's Tim Morrissey that several NBA teams were showing an interest in the 29-year-old Bruton and that he had the star following the work-out program of reigning NBA MVP Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns to get him into proper physical shape needed to break into the 'Show'.
"I'm planting the seed to really try and get CJ mentally focusing on the NBA as his main goal," Goorjian said.
Bruton is reportedly practising his three-point shooting daily from NBA range instead of the closer NBL arc.
Goorjian, who is also Boomers head coach, will reportedly allow Bruton to bypass the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne to play in the tail end of the European season to further sharpen his skills.
Bruton told the Telegraph that the Toronto Raptors had been interested in him around late June's NBA Draft but they instead opted for Spanish playmaker Jose Calderon.
"The Raptors were the main team to show interest but the European player they were also interested in got out of his contract so they signed him," Bruton said.
Goorjian said he believes the NBA interest in the son of NBL Hall of Famer Cal Bruton is genuine.
"In China I was with one of the scouts from the Los Angeles Lakers and I asked him what did he think of CJ and his response was, 'He's close to making it'," Goorjian said. "CJ is definitely not off the NBA radar and everyone is starting to talk about him now because three years ago he was a dead man walking; there was no interest at all."
Bruton was selected in the second round of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies before immediately being traded to Portland. He wasn't able to snare a prized spot on the TrailBlazers roster however and returned to Australia.
In order to allow his body to cope with the gruelling 82-game NBA schedule, Goorjian has Bruton on Nash's tough training regime.
"Steve Nash's whole thing is his conditioning - he is the best-conditioned athlete in the NBA. That's why he won the MVP and his work-out is like nobody else's," Goorjian said.
"I'm very aware of what it takes to play in the NBA and I think if CJ can take his game to the next level he can do it."
"He's a lot smarter, he's a lot more team oriented, he's a better leader, he's better defensively than when he was drafted and everyone knows he can score."
Bruton admits he is keen to give the NBA a go.
"I don't want to finish my career in Australia without giving the NBA and Europe another shot," he said.
Ah well good luck to him. Personally I don't think he will make but I hope times proves me wrong.
