http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/A_Fresh_Start-85270-34.html September 30, 2003 - The Houston Rockets 2003 training camp got underway today with Moochie Norris, Eddie Griffin, and Bostjan Nachbar joining seven players with non-guaranteed contracts for the first official workout under new coach Jeff Van Gundy. Due to a new agreement with the NBA Players Association, players with more than four years of NBA experience cannot report to camp until Thursday. Norris, who is entering his fifth season with the Rockets, was only with Houston for 30 games during the 1999-2000 season, and 41 games are required to count as a full season. So Norris served as the senior member of the Rockets in Tuesday’s workout. One of the first things he noticed was the new coaching style of Van Gundy. "It’s a different approach, but I’m excited," said Norris. "Coach Van Gundy is a little more intense. He’s a worker, so that’s what is going to be going on out there on the court." Norris wasn’t the only returning Rocket to notice a change in the atmosphere at this year’s training camp. Griffin, who has put on a little weight and is determined to have a breakout third season, also realized that this was the beginning of a new era in Rockets basketball. Will Eddie Griffin have a breakout third season? "It’s real different now," said Griffin. "I’ve only practiced with him this one time, but it’s different. Coach is real technical and he wants everything done his way. So we have to please him and give him what he wants. He wants to win, wants everyone to give their all, and wants everyone to be about the team. If we can do that, I think we’ll do real well with him." Until the veteran players report on Thursday, Van Gundy will continue to work with Norris, Griffin and the rest of the young Rockets. While the Rockets new coach thinks that the veteran players should be allowed to practice earlier, Norris feels the players that are there should continue to work hard and concentrate on a new start. "I’m a worker," Norris said. "I’m one of those guys that has traveled around a lot. I played in the CBA and been overseas, so work is all I know. That’s the reason I’m here. Maybe if I have a better year, or a better half a season, we would have been in the playoffs last year. So this year I’m just making sure that I’m doing all I can do to get myself ready. It’s a fresh start for all of us." --

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