Ruled out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his left foot a little over a month ago, Mavericks wing Tim Hardaway Jr. still doesn’t have a timeline for a return to the court, writes Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News. Hardaway, who is hoping to shed his walking boot soon in order to move the next stage of his rehab process, spoke to Caplan about his recovery.
“This injury takes a lot of time,” Hardaway said. “I’ve looked up a lot of information on the injury. I mean, everybody has different times. Everybody’s body is different. I’m going to make sure I’m 100% healthy. That’s the most important part. Not 85%, not 90%, not 95% because it’s something you don’t want to reaggravate and be out for a longer period of time, and with the bone and where it’s at, a lot of blood doesn’t go into that area of the foot like the rest of the body.”
While it’s possible we won’t see Hardaway back on the court for the Mavericks until 2022/23, he hasn’t given up on potentially making it back this spring.
“I’ll say this: The further we go [in the playoffs], the better chance I have,” Hardaway told Caplan. “That’s the answer I’ll give.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Mavericks star Luka Doncic spoke to ESPN’s Malika Andrews (video link) about a handful of topics, including his surprise at Kristaps Porzingis being traded, his team’s ability to contend for a title, and his determination not to rack up enough technical fouls to earn a one-game suspension.
- Having kept him on their roster through March 1, the Rockets appear intent on retaining point guard Dennis Schröder at least through the rest of the season. And according to Marc Stein, the two sides remain open to the idea of extending the relationship beyond 2021/22. Even if Schröder doesn’t re-sign with Houston, he could work with the team on sign-and-trade scenarios this summer, says Stein.
- After acquiring CJ McCollum last month, the Pelicans have put together a supporting cast capable of complementing and enhancing Zion Williamson‘s unique skill set, opines Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. Now, the team just needs its star forward to get healthy to see what all the pieces look like together.
Cj has been superstar level in the small sample size so far, and for what their guard play was like before, it puts them in a totally different position moving forward
This is not a knock on Dame in anyway but I’ve felt for quite some time that Lillard has held back McCollum. Over the years whenever Dame was out and C.J. has had to chance to be the man he’s thrived. The Blazers we’re in a tough position though. They could either break it up and trade McCollum for a more defensive minded SG or run with it with C.J. at the 2 and as the primary creator with the 2nd unit. They never won a championship together but they a lot of success. They were a perennial playoff team and even had some deep runs, it just always felt as they were one piece away.
I can’t help but start to think Ingram is the superstar in NOL with CJ as the 2nd. I think it’s hash calling them the supporting cast when they’ve been consistently performing while Zion is chilling in oblivion.
Don’t get me wrong when on the floor he’s very, very good. But when I think of the Pels I think of BI and now CJ. Zion is an afterthought. And with Ingrams age, is it wrong to think he could be their main man going forward.
As much as I like to see Schroder return to Houston past this season, I doubt he will do any more than Eric Gordon. Rockets seem to want these young guys on the floor and vets coming off the bench. If the team was different, I can see Schroder returning. It’s highly unlikely he will return next year
I would love to keep Schroeder as well. But too I feel will not be much of asset. If Silas and coaching staff remain for next season. I wish would find different coaches. Need a coach and staff that really work and fit. Need to start seeing more improvement with this team. Need to start winning. Enough of this 10 games or more losing streaks.
Sounds like the Silas out chants are getting louder.
I have to agree, he’s not doing well on either front. He’s not developing the young player as well as he should be, and he’s also not getting the wins to justify the lack of minutes for the young guys like Sengun and Christopher.
Houston need a direction and for the first time In years they don’t seem to have any. They need to go full rebuild, offload Wood and Gordon and any other sellable asset and plan for the future. Right now, with the game plans keeping the ball out of Greens hands and in KPJ Wood and Gordon’s hands just isn’t working. A change of coach and game plan is the new start they need.