Injuries in the NBA are as common as the flu/cold, but this preseason has been particularly, um, stressful in that regard. The list of ailing players continues to grow at an alarming pace, and the regular season tipoff remains hours away. The list of wounded - those expected to miss anywhere from a few games to a few months - include the Kings' Francisco Garcia (fractured arm/wrist), Kevin Love (broken hand), Al Jefferson (Achilles tendinitis), Josh Howard (wrist/ankle surgery), Nicholas Batum (shoulder), Glen Davis (thumb) and Blake Griffin, the overall No.1 pick who could miss up to six weeks with a fractured kneecap.
Griffin's absence for the opening weeks (if not longer) is almost a routine blow for the Clippers. The former Oklahoma star was originally hurt when he bumped knees with teammate Craig Smith while scrimmaging a few days before camp opened. He aggravated the injury in Friday's preseason game against New Orleans, continuing to experience swelling even while sitting out subsequent workouts. The extent of the ailment was revealed a few hours ago .... causing the most resilient of Clippers fans to recall the injury-marred careers of the club's former lottery picks Danny Manning (No.1 overall in 1988) and Charles Smith.
Cisco Can't Help Himself
After the Kings' intense, lengthy afternoon practice, a visibly restless Garcia couldn't help himself: When special assistant Pete Carril summoned rookie Tyreke Evans for individual shooting drills in the near-empty facility, Garcia, in street clothes and sneakers, wandered over and joined the informal session. Holding his casted right arm awkwardly in his left hand, he snagged an occasional rebound and swatted balls toward the rookie. Other times, when Carril was quietly offering instruction, the ailing swingman listened intently, just seemed eager to be involved in anything resembling game/practice action.
(Sam Amick jumping in here to provide video of what Ailene is discussing, even if she didn't realize I was filming it. While most of Carril's teachings are inaudible, notice what he says at the end while teaching Evans a running hook going away from the basket - "Every great player that's ever played this game had that shot!")
The Mystery Continues
Paul Westphal remains coy about his starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener, but I find it hard to believe that Spencer Hawes won't be in his customary center spot. True, Westphal is concerned about his two bigs - Hawes and Jason Thompson - getting into foul trouble. Also true, the lack of frontcourt size/depth is scary. But even though Hawes struggled throughout much of camp - and was replaced by Sean May in the starting unit - he had an exceptional practice on Monday. The 7-footer was attacking the basket, scoring on reverse layups, follow shots, jumpers. He also threw some nifty bounce passes and challenged shots around the basket. Spencer is back to being edgy, chatty, combative Spencer. The good Spencer. The question is: Does he get his job back? Anyway, I plan to write about his importance to the Kings and their season for Wednesday's Bee.
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