The Suns plan to have starting point guard Ricky Rubio active for their second scrimmage Sunday night, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Rubio sat out Thursday’s opener after a positive COVID-19 test delayed his arrival to the Walt Disney World campus.
“He should play,” coach Monty Williams said of Rubio. “He had a good practice (today). It was probably smart to hold him out. We don’t want guys playing when they’re not comfortable, we’re not comfortable. We’ve been going unbelievably hard in our practice. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the floor.”
Phoenix has been short-handed since teams began reporting to Orlando earlier this month. Center Aron Baynes also tested positive for the coronavirus, while Elie Okobo and Jalen Lecque are listed out for “personal reasons.” The Suns expect all those players to eventually join the team.
“You always want your full team out here,” said rookie Ty Jerome, who made his first start at point guard in Thursday’s scrimmage. “All the uncertainty that’s going on right now, the fact that we’re one of the healthier and more full teams out here, it gives us a chance. Gives us a fighting chance.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Anthony Davis is considered day-to-day after being poked in the right eye during today’s scrimmage, Lakers coach Frank Vogel tells Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link). L.A. has one more scrimmage Monday before starting its seeding games Thursday against the Clippers.
- Lakers guard Dion Waiters discussed the difference between playing alongside LeBron James now compared to when they were teammates in Cleveland six years ago, McMenamin tweets. “When you’re young, you’re still trying to find yourself coming into the league,” Waiters said. “I think Bron was trying to help me with that, but I was so stubborn back then. But I understand now. I’m 28. I’ve been through a lot. I’m at peace with myself, though.”
- Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox declared himself to be completely recovered from an ankle sprain he suffered last week (video link).
- Clippers center Ivica Zubac reported to Orlando Friday night and is being quarantined for two days, tweets Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Anthony Davis is among the least experienced of the elite players in the NBA when it comes to participating in the postseason (with 13 games total). Only Doncic and Porzingis, with no experience, have less among the notable players in Orlando.
Who cares the Pels didnt miss the playoffs because of him. The few games he has played, he dominated. Singlehandedly eliminated Portland. Rather have little experience then years of choking like Harden and Westbrick.
The last time Harden and Russ were on the same team, they made it to the NBA Finals 8 years ago, losing to a team that many people thought were going to win at least 4 or 5 straight titles.
But my friend… Harden & Westbrook were in the same team, but it wasn’t their team, right? It was KD’s team he was “the man”, Harden wasn’t even a starter. So it doesn’t count for much 8 years later & without KD & without the other very good players they had back then, which HOU hasn’t got anything near to have.
So very true GoLandCrabs! AD might have played only a few playoff games but… boy did he dominate! Mostly playing against GSW he has a playoff line of 31/13/2/3/2 I mean an absolute monster when it comes to the postseason!
oh…