Five Notes
Al Jefferson: Gastric Distress. I don't know exactly what "gastric distress" is, but I'm pretty sure I don't want it. Anyway, it's what got Al Jefferson sent home from practice today. According to reporter Brian T. Smith, Jefferson is still probable for the team's upcoming road games against Portland and Phoenix.
Tracy McGrady: Kid-Gloved. Piston coach John Kuester held McGrady out of Friday's preseason game against the Bucks in an effort to, in his words, make sure the oft-injured swingman will be ready for the regular season. On the one hand, that makes. On the other, is Tracy McGrady still good at basketball? That might be a relevant question here.
Josh McRoberts: Neck Situation. McRoberts was elbowed by Orlando's Dwight Howard and was forced to leave Friday's preseason game because of a neck injury. As a result, he didn't play against, or even travel to, Houston. There's no indication yet of the severity of the injury. Tyler Hansbrough started at power forward for Indiana tonight.
Jermaine O'Neal: Might Play Sunday. O'Neal's been having hamstring situations. He might play Sunday against Toronto. Or not. Either way, it appears as though he should be ready for the regular season.
Shaquille O'Neal: Playing and/or Not Playing. Shaq didn't practice Saturday but is expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against Toronto. Two thing about that. The first is that there's a kinda weird quote in the Boston Globe where Doc Rivers is talking about Shaq's hips. The second is that, as you very well know, Shaq is now 73 years old. That he's even still able to walk is an achievement.
Five Performances
Trevor Ariza, New Orleans: 24:39 min, 17 pts (5-8 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 3 reb, 1 stl. Not much going on in the secondary cats, but that scoring line is what we in the industry refer to as "Che efficient!"
Marco Belinelli, New Orleans: 21:30 min, 14 points (4-9 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT). Coach Monty Williams recently described Belinelli as a "more complete player than just a shooter." The Italian started tonight over Marcus Thornton.
Patrick Beverley, Miami: 40:54 min, 11 pts (3-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl. More like The Big Four, amirite?
Luis Scola, Houston: 25:59 min, 23 points, (9-17 FG, 5-5 FT) 11 reb, 2 stl. It's like my grandfather used to say: "Don't bet against an Argentinean. Unless, of course, he's facing another Argentinean. In which case, bet against BOTH Argentineans." Or, at least I THINK that's what he said. (His mouth was full of food a lot.)
Evan Turner, Philadelphia: 38:59 min, 14 points (4-10 FG, 6-6 FT). 6 reb, 7 ast, 6 stl. He started at shooting guard with Spencer Hawes out and everyone (Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, Andre Iguodala) shifting down one.