Clifford: Practice Thursday was team’s best so far
Not even a fire alarm going off at Amway Center slowed the Orlando Magic during their third day of training camp practice Thursday.
“The other two days were good, and today was really good progress,” coach said. “The biggest thing was the intensity both in the drills and when we scrimmaged. I thought it was very intense, very physical and a good step forward.” Point guard
who arrived in a July trade, stood out Wednesday and Thursday. Clifford lauded Grant, who is 6 feet 4, for his defense in the team’s scrimmages.
“I feel really good,” Grant said. “Coach has a lot of confidence in me. He’s letting me run the offense. It’s going pretty well.”
Shortly before noon, a fire alarm forced Amway Center employees to leave the building. But the Magic remained on their Amway Center practice court and continued working.
“What do they say? You have to get through barriers?” Clifford said, smiling, when asked about the distraction. “If a fire alarm is going to be the measuring stick, then we would be in trouble.”
• Clifford wasn’t as positive or lighthearted when he was asked about his favorite professional soccer team, Manchester United, which lost a Carabao Cup match Tuesday to seconddivision club Derby County 2-2 on penalty kicks. “We’re in trouble,” Clifford said, referring to Manchester United. “I’m concerned about the Red Devils. They do go a little bit more on the back burner now because the Magic are more in full gear, but it is concerning.” • Gonzaga coach
attended the Magic’s practice Thursday as a guest of the team.