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Andrea Bargnani went through a half practice Monday, his first work with the team since the Nets returned from Duke more than a week ago. Bargnani, who's been troubled by a "tight hamstring," has missed all three Nets preseason games.
As he has for the last several days, the 7'1" Bargnani sounded optimistic after practice Monday.
"I would do every practice, I would play every game if it were up to me," Bargnani told reporters. "But we’ve got to be conscious, and get back when I’m 100 percent." Bargnani said he "felt good" after practice and hopes to do more Tuesday. No word on when he might be back.
The Nets are obviously being careful with Bargnani who has missed 175 of his teams' 312 games over the past four years, hitting a low of 29 with the Knicks, most of the lost games due to hamstring and calf injuries. Bargnani played through a calf injury last month in FIBA play.
Also, Willie Reed practiced fully and Thomas Robinson was in non-contact portions of practice for the first time since injuring his wrist in a nasty spill under the basket in the preseason opener vs. Fenerbahce Ulker. Bojan Bogdanovic participated in Sunday's Open Practice and was again on the floor Monday. And good news as well from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who has Rod Boone tweeted, did some shooting drills.
Rondae didn't practice today, but he put up a few shots afterward: pic.twitter.com/IjjrMy0lw0
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) October 12, 2015
The Nets still have 20 players under contract. The key date for roster cuts is October 24. Any player with a guarantee not cut before that day. has his salary pro-rated for cap purposes. Injuries are making those decisions and even more simple decisions difficult.
"It is difficult to evaluate because guys are out," Lionel Hollins said. "It's difficult to make those decisions that you come in thinking, 'OK, what group plays well together? What group doesn't? Who meshes better with each other?' And when they are out, it just delays those decisions. But it's not a big concern, it just delays the decisions -- maybe all the way into the first month of the season."
- Andrea Bargnani upbeat after partial practice with Nets - Rod Boone - Newsday
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Andrea Bargnani returns to (half)-practice - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
- Bargnani takes first baby step to finally debuting with Nets - Tim Bontemps - New York Post