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Click here for AD's 2001-2002 Column Archives

Welcome to Training Camp
October 5, 2001

Welcome to training camp! Another season is here and I could not be more excited.

We have a lot of new guys this year and there will be a time of adjustment. Cherokee Parks adds another big guy and he is going to fit in really well. Amal McCaskill has had a good camp and will contribute. Tony Parker is playing really well too. He is very quick and a good player. I am excited about being teamed up with Steve Smith in the backcourt. He is different than DA and it will take us a while to get used to each other. But there are good things ahead. . It's not like we have replaced the guys that left but we have added some guys that can definitely play.

I know you want to know about Avery. AJ called me the day camp started. He wished me a great season and a lot of love. He was so good to me and good for our team. He came out to my camp this summer and gave the kids a very inspirational talk. I will miss him like crazy and wish him all the best.

Samaki is now in LA. I am sure he'll do great. It's an excellent opportunity for him to start and contribute consistently. Other guys have landed on their feet and I wish them all the best. Now we need to focus on the Spurs and get ready to make our run.

Next Monday, we will be in New York City. This tragedy has affected us all. As players, we feel the same pain that all Americans do. My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who has been touched by this tragedy. I think of the firefighters, the rescue workers and the police that are such true heroes in my eyes. Out of this pain our country has pulled closer. Now it seems as though some things are not as important as they used to be. We have all been refocused, and that is a good thing.

I am looking forward to going to the site of the World Trade Center. I want to see it in person. We'll have a chance to speak to rescue workers and firefighters and others who have put their lives on the line. Many of you have asked me about NBA players being considered heroes. We are entertainers. These guys that we'll get to meet are the true heroes. I know I look up to them tremendously.

I am glad you have made it back to AntonioDaniels.com. This is our third season and we have a lot of surprises planned for you. Soon we'll have new gear, new features and lots of good things to come. Tell your friends to log on and sign up for our email list. I'll keep you posted on what is going on inside the Spurs.

I know that there are a lot of Minnesota Vikings fans here in San Antonio too. The Vikings starting defensive end is a friend of mine, Talance Sawyer. He has his own website that will keep you up with all that is going on with the Vikings. Check it out at www.talancesawyer.com.

Thanks for all your support! As always, I love to hear your comments and questions. Send them to me at Antonio@antoniodaniels.com

-- AD