One of the topics of discussion at Thursday’s practice was the two days off the team received from coach Doc Rivers. In other words, no mandatory practice Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chris Paul told reporters he liked having the time to spend with his family. Rivers agreed that’s a big deal.

“I think it’s important,” Rivers said.

That doesn’t mean the players stay completely away, however, and Rivers likes that.

“I think every team’s different,” he said. “I mean, I think in most cases even on the days off most guys work out anyway; they’re going to do something. This group has been very good at that. … I would say 95 percent of them come in and get work in. We have one of those groups. It’s a working group.

“We don’t really have any slackers, other than some of you guys.”

He got a laugh out of reporters..

“No, no, really, it’s a good group,” he said. “And it’s a little surprising for me because they’re young and sometimes the young guys, you’ve gotta tell them. This is not one of those groups, and that’s nice.”