Brad Stevens says Rajon Rondo will come back when he feels ready, from Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston: “Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens reaffirmed Monday that the decision on when Rajon Rondo returns to the game action ultimately lies with the player and when he feels ready — both mentally and physically — to return to the court. “I don’t see how it could be anything else,” said Stevens. “I think, ultimately, a person has to be ready and he has to feel good. There are certain physical things that he’ll have to meet to be cleared to even be considered for games, that he has not met yet. But nobody should make that call except for the individual involved, in my opinion.” Rondo, who underwent ACL surgery in February, received clearance to return to full-contact activities after a visit with operating surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Friday. He participated in two Celtics practice sessions this past weekend and is targeting a return in the new calendar year.”
- Andrei Kirilenko hopes to return around Christmas time, according to Andrew Keh of The New York Times: “Andrei Kirilenko (back) is targeting one of the home games around Christmas to make his return.”
- Jordan Farmar will likely start for the Lakers when he returns from injury, from Mark Medina of Daily News: “Whenever he returns from a strained left hamstring that has sidelined him for five games, Jordan Farmar will “probably” start, said Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni. Farmar plans to receive an ultrasound Wednesday when the Lakers return from a four-game trip that still includes stops tonight against the Atlanta Hawks and Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Farmar said on Friday he hasn’t felt any pain in his hamstring within the last week. Barring no setbacks, he won’t participate in any practices until after his reevaluation.”
Marcin Gortat doesn’t like his role with the Washington Wizards, from Michael Lee of Washington Post: ““I don’t like the position I play,” Gortat said after scoring just six points on 3-of-10 shooting in the Wizards’ 113-96 loss on Saturday at Verizon Center. “I’m constantly drifting more and more away from the basket. That’s not my game. I’m capable of making one or two plays like that away from the basket, but I feel more comfortable underneath the basket.”… “I just think I have to talk to Coach and clear things up and make sure we are on the same page,” Gortat said… “He’s just not taking the same shots we’re used to him taking, especially in pick-and-roll situations. He’s turned a lot of those down the last couple of games,” Wall said. “He’s got to get his confidence back, especially in the fourth quarter when guys are going to trap me on pick-and-rolls. It’s up to him to make the play. We still believe in him to make those shots, to make those extra passes. He’s just got to get back into a rhythm.”
Tony Wroten says Brett Brown wants him to figure out how to play alongside Michael Carter-Williams, from Christopher A. Vito of Delaware County Daily Times: “We see what (Carter-Williams’) stats show. He was playing really well. So it’s not like I’m taking his position,” Wroten said. “He’s definitely our star point guard. A couple games ago, Coach came and brought me and Mike together and told us we needed to figure out how we’re going to do playing together, because that’s what he wants to do. Brett’s not saying we’re both going to start, but he’s just saying to keep it in mind and talk it over. I’ve known Mike since high school. We play well together.”… “I think there are times when he’s not as interested as I wish he would be — on ball or off ball, when he’s not in the play,” Brown said. “So you say ‘Hey, here’s the ball, you’re the starting point guard.’ He’s engaged, he’s in the game. The times when he’s not on the ball offensively and defensively, which you wouldn’t be if you’re playing, given Michael is the point guard, I think there’s lapses.”
- Trey Burke admits “forcing it” at times when he first got to Utah, from Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today: “That was critical for me as well, just being able to see a game from the coaches’ perspective,” Burke said. “Just picking and choosing my spots. Coming off the screen and making the right read and making sure guys are in the right spot when I call a play.”… The position I play, it’s critical for me to play poised … and just make sure I’m confident in my calls on the offensive end,” Burke said. “I’m more relaxed and more confident and not forcing it. I may have forced it when I first got here. The chemistry wasn’t there. I didn’t know all the sets.”
- Had Prigioni not gotten injured on Monday, he may have kept the starting job if the Knicks played well with him as the starter, from Berman of New York Post: “According to a source, coach Mike Woodson doesn’t like to have a player lose his starting job via injury, but if the Knicks are rolling when Felton is ready to go, Woodson could still stick with Prigioni. There is a concern in the organization Felton will have trouble recovering fully from a nagging hamstring pull and pinched nerve in his hip — which is why the Knicks went full bore after Lowry.”
James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. You can find him on twitter @SheridanBlog.
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