NASHVILLE — The Memphis Grizzlies are determined to squeeze as much as they can out of training camp at Belmont University in Nashville this week.   
That’s why head coach Tuomas Iisalo opted for two practices, not just one, Tuesday.  
“We started today with two practices, unlike last year,” Iisalo said. “Our group is in great shape. You can see that already. In the morning, we did a lot of install and putting in stuff to create clarity for guys who are new to the team.  
“And then in the afternoon, we got after it.”  
Both practices were short, a little bit over an hour, organized in a strategic way that can help the team’s new faces digest the information without feeling overloaded.   
“I think, overall, the guys know a little bit about what our expectations are,” Iisalo said. “We structured the camp a little differently because last year we only had three days here and this year we have four days, which allows us to ramp up in the beginning.   
“We will have one more cognitively — but not as much physically — demanding day on Thursday, and then Friday, we will ramp it up one more time. I like this structure a lot more.”

Point guard Scotty Pippen Jr., who is entering training camp healthy after a toe procedure late last season, said he appreciated the more nuanced approach.  
“It kind of eases you into camp because camp can be super intense,” Pippen said. “I know in past years, sometimes guys weren’t fully in shape, and then injuries and stuff like that kind of flare up. This year, we took a different step, and we are ramping into this more slowly with the cognitive part to make sure we are all on the same page.”  
Pippen and rookie Cameron Boozer said the second session, which focused on defense and transition play, had a competitive feel. It happened naturally because minutes and roster spots are on the line for several of the 20 players present.   
“All competition is good,” Pippen said. “I don’t think everyone here has a role fully carved out for them yet. ... It kind of pushes everyone and pushes the coaches to make everyone around them better.”

**A healthier camp**  
Laying a foundation is easier when more players are present.   
Last year, that wasn’t exactly the case when the team arrived at Belmont.  
“I know me, Ty (Jerome) and Ja Morant were all hurt going into the season (last year),” Pippen said. “That kind of threw everything off.   
“The point guards and the centers are the most important positions in our offense. So when you don’t have one of those guys, let alone both, it kind of hurts everyone on the team.”  
Zach Edey was able to participate in the first practice Tuesday, but he did not play in the second practice because he’s not yet cleared for two-a-days, Iisalo said.  
“We don’t see any reason to do that because (Edey) is still in the ramp-up phase,” Iisalo said.   
“He’s a very tough individual, and he’s always trying to push through,” Iisalo said about Edey. “That’s not always in his or the team’s best interest. We talked a lot about trust and communication with him to make sure we are on the same page.  
“We understand that there are ups and downs in the rehab process. But we need to make sure the communication is good, so we can make informed decisions instead of him toughing it out.  
“It will take some time for him. It has taken some time, but I’m very happy with his commitment. It’s been incredible, the amount of time and work he has put in with our training staff.”

**Iisalo’s camp priorities**  
Each camp has its own theme. A couple of years ago, it was speed.   
This year, it sounds as if the focus will be on a more all-encompassing download of the team’s philosophies and system. Culture and identity aren’t formed overnight.   
“It’s the balance between (providing information but not giving too much information),” Iisalo said. “You don’t want to have paralysis by analysis. You don’t want to put everything in at the same time. 

We are choosing what new things to introduce, and then we are making sure we emphasize our identity over everything else.”  
Practices start with a video, then the players put it into action with a jog-through or introduction period.   
“After that, we have what we call a conceptual block where we then go through with detail,” Iisalo said. “We stop the play, we correct, we make sure everybody is on the same page. And then we switch into what we call ‘action mode.’”

Action games consist of transition games or five-on-five games where the games are never stopped. The feedback comes afterward on video the next day.   
“So as the practice starts, it's slow tempo and more thinking, then it's more doing after that,” he said.  
**Cam Boozer’s first practice**  
Coincidentally, No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer’s first training-camp practice took place in the home of his former coach.   
Belmont University’s new hire, Evan Bradds, was an assistant at Duke last season.

“(Bradds) had a huge role,” Boozer said about his development at Duke. “He was my player-coach, so he was the guy I probably worked with the most last year.   
“He was our offensive coordinator as well, so he was getting me to my spots and stuff like that. He has a great basketball mind.”  
Bradds and Boozer had a chance to catch up before practice began.  
And then the rookie was off. His first official day is in the books.   
“It was nice,” Boozer said. “It was smooth. I was able to get up and down a little bit. It was a lot of fun.”

Boozer was already introduced to the Grizzlies’ system at summer league in July. He also participated in voluntary workouts in Memphis earlier this month. But the energy is different with everyone in the building at once.   
“Just reflecting, (my NBA career) is really here,” Boozer said. “Preseason games start in what? Like a week? It’s definitely surreal, for sure.”  
The rookie was tested by the other wings and forwards on the roster, but he declined to say who he primarily matched up against on his first day.   
“We got a young, competitive team, so we got after it today,” he said. “It’s exciting because you think the future is bright. With how we compete, the sky is the limit.   
“That’s the main thing. You have to have competitiveness, and we don’t lack that at all.”  
The Grizzlies will be back at practice Wednesday afternoon in Nashville. Day 2 will feature only one session.

Drew Hill: Grizzlies practice twice on Day 1 of training camp