One practice remains in his first professional training camp and certainly there have been flashes of the skills that made him the fourth overall selection in last June’s draft.
There’s the strength. The ability, at 260 pounds, to run the floor and run it well. The knack for hitting the 15-foot jumper.
But Marcus Fizer’s greatest talent may come in the form of his thick skin. Or deaf ears.
As the Bulls prepare to enter the regular season with seven rookies on their 15-man roster, an argument can be made that Fizer is the best prepared of all of them–and not just because he’s a first-team All-American who is the highest draft pick of the bunch. Fizer thinks he’s battle-tested ready because a certain coach who once wooed him to attend Iowa State has been tougher on him than a testy librarian.
“People might have thought it would be easier for me because I had played for Coach Floyd in college, but I never saw it that way,” Fizer said Sunday. “I knew he was going to be harder on me and he has been. It’s been challenging, but that’s exactly what I need.”
Guilty as charged, Tim Floyd?
“Sure, I am,” Floyd said. “And I’ve told him that. And I’ve talked to him all the time about keeping a stiff upper lip. When he hears his name it’s a good thing. We’re trying to get him better. His composure has been much better.”
Indeed, Fizer appeared to come to training camp with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. But he has been a model of even-keeled behavior since the practices and games began. Bone spurs that caused tendinitis in his ankle didn’t slow him. Tough outings didn’t shake his confidence. If anything, Fizer has been harder on himself than Floyd has.
“I’m very, very critical of my play because I know I’m nowhere near being the next Michael Jordan,” Fizer said. “Even he made mistakes, so there are lots of things I can find I’m doing wrong. I think I’ve played OK, not as good as I can play.
“But I don’t have number goals at all. I’m just trying to learn how to play in the NBA. And I’ve learned how competitive it is and how you have to play hard each and every time you take the court. If you relax at any time or you’re not concentrating, even in scrimmages, you can be down before you know it.”
Fizer averaged 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds during the exhibition schedule. He shot just 39 percent.
“Marcus’ biggest adjustment will come through the conversion part of the game–getting back defensively, getting out and running wings offensively,” Floyd said. “But I know what he’s capable of, having watched 40 of his games over the last two years. I certainly understand him and know his learning curve.”
Apparently, it’s quick. In the Bulls’ final exhibition game, Fizer found himself staring at Reggie Miller, a player he used to idolize, during action.
“But then I snapped out of it,” Fizer said. “I have to realize I have the same job that they have. It’s time for me to go to work.”
Decision day: The Bulls must turn in their final roster to the league office by 5 p.m. Monday. The roster can have 12 players on the active list and three on the injured list. One more cut needs to be made.
“I just show up every day and hope nobody says anything to me,” said Steve Goodrich, an undrafted free agent out of Princeton.
“He’s done things execution-wise better than most new guys that I’ve ever been around,” Floyd said. “He really understands how to play basketball and plays with effort and energy. He’s been a pleasant surprise.”
