NBA Notebook | Arenas’ knee drained again
WASHINGTON - Even if Gilbert Arenas is having problems with his left knee, Washington Wizards coach Eddie Jordan isn’t quite ready to worry.
Arenas’ surgically repaired knee was drained for the second time in three weeks Wednesday, forcing him to miss practice for a third consecutive day. Still, Jordan expects Arenas to play against New Jersey tonight.
“There’s no red flags,” Jordan said. “He just has to keep getting through his therapy, his rehab, and getting some rest when he can.”
Asked how long it might be until Arenas is 100 percent healthy, the coach said: “We don’t know how long it’s going to take. You know, Gil’s pretty darn good at whatever percent he’s at, anyway.”
Arenas said his knee felt stiff after Washington’s last game, a 94-82 loss to Orlando on Saturday that dropped the Wizards to 0-3. He hasn’t practiced since.
Arenas did not speak to reporters Wednesday, but he did refer to the knee on his blog.
“I have to get my knee drained and get the fluid out so I can be ready for the next 15 days. I guess it’s like a 15-day period after I drain my knee that I’m at 100 percent,” the blog says. “There’s no pain, it’s just stiffness.”
Skiles not thrilled with Noah
CHICAGO - Coach Scott Skiles publicly reprimanded rookie Joakim Noah for his comments after Tuesday night’s loss to the Clippers about the Bulls not playing in unison.
“If I had just played my first pro game, I’d probably keep my mouth shut, to be honest with you,” Skiles said. “It’s obvious we’re not playing to our ability. There’s no doubt about that. I may have a little problem with the phrasing of that, but the point is probably spot-on. But it probably should be somebody else speaking for the group.”
Noah appeared shaken by Skiles’ reaction when reporters confronted him with his coach’s comments after practice.
“I don’t want to say anything. There’s no … um, there’s not. … I don’t have a problem with coach Skiles, OK? If he feels that way, I’ll shut up,” Noah said.
Tuesday night, Noah bluntly assessed the state of the 0-4 Bulls. He said he wanted to see the Bulls give it that “old college try,” beginning with tonight’s game with the Detroit Pistons.
“Every game we play is like, ‘Oh, wait till we play the next one. We’ll be all good. We’re going to kill them the next game.’ That’s not how it works,” he said. “You just have to play possession by possession like it’s your last. I don’t think we’re doing that now.”
Noah had two points, four rebounds, three blocks and a steal in nearly 19 minutes in his NBA debut, a 97-91 loss.
Notes
• Charlotte PG Raymond Felton missed the Bobcats’ game against Philadelphia because of a left-knee injury. Felton said he was day to day and hoped to play Friday against Indiana. “If it was up to me, I’d play now,” he said.
• The Phoenix Suns will host the 2009 All-Star Game, the third time the city has held the basketball showcase. Phoenix was the site of the All-Star Game in 1995 and 1975. Toronto, New York, Oakland and Milwaukee reportedly were contenders for the 2009 contest. The 2008 All-Star Game is Feb. 17 in New Orleans.
• Indiana Pacers F Ike Diogu tore his left-calf muscle during practice and the team expects he’ll be out four to six weeks.
• Golden State F Matt Barnes has a sprained finger on his shooting hand, adding another injury to the winless Warriors’ early woes. Barnes missed practice along with G Monta Ellis, who felt lightheaded when he reported to the Warriors’ training complex. Ellis was sent home with the flu, while starting F Kelenna Azubuike has a lingering bone bruise in his ankle that hasn’t improved much since the summer.
• Cleveland G Larry Hughes missed the Cavaliers’ game at Utah because of a bruised left knee.