Omri's Column

What an amazing experience! I just participated in Nike's training camp in Portland with nine other league superstars. I was there along with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Udonis Haslem and others.

I'll tell you a bit about the camp. This training camp was held for a week to simulate a training camp at the start of an NBA season. We woke up early every morning at seven-thirty, the bus picking us up for the first practice. After training we all had lunch together at the magnificent campus of Nike in Portland. This is a magnificent facility, amazing Basketball Academy.

After lunch we got treatments, some showers, ice and all this stuff and spread out in different rooms to rest. Training was conducted at six in the evening where we mostly played games (5 by 5 and 1 on 1).

It was an amazing experience to train with the players who are at this level. Really, this was my first opportunity to meet, connect and just spend time with these people. So we hooked up, they invited me to participate in a project they are doing. This project is called 'Back Home'. Which will be four games will be held in four different cities. It will start in Cleveland, then New Orleans, Chicago and New York. It's nice that they asked me to join in on these exhibition games. We play with ourselves and can show the audience. Everything is done as a contribution to the community of course.

Of course, we not only trained there. As the trainin for the evening ended and everyone went away for a rest and a little orelazation, we would meet and go out for dinner or just to walk around Portland. While we were there, it was very cold and rainy, so it's a bit difficult. We talked a lot about the state of Israel. LeBron's friend, Romeo Travis, playing Gilboa / Galil and exactly how they won. I told him he was very good, so he called him to congratulate him. In general, they are all great men, modest. Such family members. They work incredibly hard.

Be surprised, but they know little about Israel. They heard many stories of their friends who play here as well, and about me too. I told them much about the country and invited them to visit here. I hope they will come this summer.

That was camp, now a little about Maccabi Tel Aviv. Maccabi's last period reminded me of my first year in the NBA and the high amount of games. Players and professional staff will get used to it. Rush is unusual. What they went through and are imagining NBA season. But not to worry, then it worth their while. I am also sure that Maccabi will continue to look like it does in the future and I hope that I will take part in it.

I miss and am very excited by my return to Maccabi, but of course it depends on the strike. I work very hard to keep fit and to improve as a player. I miss the wonderful fans of Maccabi, dressing room, my friends and family in the country of course. When I talk about all this I'm excited, it's something I miss very much.

Friends, I hope we will meet

My third year in the NBA, it's no joke, and with a new team. We are playing very well, well beyond people's expectations for us. As a team we have always believed in our ability and I think we have had a good start, and intend to continue down this winning path.

I must admit, personally, the start to my season was than I expected. I tried to get into it a rhythm early, but there were too many things in my head and it hit me.The positive thing is that as time goes by I feel more and more comfortable. I spoke with Coach Byron Scott about it and he told me to clear my head, concentrate and work hard on my defense, then the offense will come.

Coach Scott is an amazing Coach, and an NBA great. He works well with players on all their weaknesses and on how to improve them. The organization of the Cleveland Cav's are really exceptional as a whole.

Currently I'm in the midst of a road trip that began in Toronto, and will continue for six hard away games that might dictate how our season will go. We are a young team combined with veteran players and it is really a wonderful atmosphere.

Kyrie Irving, the first pick in this past summer's draft, is a charming, talented and grounded player who works hard and gives all of himself to the game. As our point guard, he is our floor general and a leader by nature , but that does not mean he doesn't have to get us players donuts for morning practice and carry our bags occasionally. Kyrie is a great talent and the sky is the limit for him.

It is great to get the chance with Anthony Parker at this point in his career. I first met him when I was 17 and we played together for Maccabi Tel Aviv. I really learned a lot from him back then. Actually, even today I continue to learn a lot from him. He is a modest player, fun to play with. He contributes a lot to the team beyond the numbers and it is simply amazing to see and be part of.

In general, the Cav's are all great players. We are a very cohesive group. Every morning, noon and night we eat dinner together, we spend most of our time together, whether it's flights, workouts, meals or games. They really are good people, each one of them.

Just so you know, life is not easy and rather "boring" here. Our schedule is very busy with this a relatively short season. We do not have a lot of time off. We train, fly, play, eat and sleep. Oh, and even if you have free time, we use it to watch video.

Taken from "one" website