Nene

[Nivek]

There's a bit of a difference between doing some halfcourt stuff and playing in games. No rush.

[truwizfan4evr]

Nene practice with wizards today but had ice bags on his knees.

[dandridge 10]

Nene will kick all asses. I am new over here, but all the topics that i read, it ´s clear that most part of Wizards fans are loser minded and complain for everithing.

I agree. It's disgusting. I made a thread on this very topic. If you're gonna root to lose, why even post? Almost as worse as the people who complain about the president, but themselves, not even vote.

I like these two

Glad to see some new blood joining the board.

Well, if you guys just want to see all rainbows and kittens, why don't you just stick to the optimism thread and spare yourself of all the "disgusting" postings.

[Nivek]

Nene practice with wizards today but had ice bags on his knees.

I don't even know why this got reported. Ice on knees is common for NBA players -- especially guys 30 and over.

[Zonkerbl]

It means he actually put in some serious work and wasn't just shooting free throws or whatever.

[tontoz]

Icing the knees after games is SOP for a lot of players even when they are injury free. They just do it to recover more quickly.

[TGW]

Icing the knees after games is SOP for a lot of players even when they are injury free. They just do it to recover more quickly.

Only thing is, with Nene I'm not so sure it's just for "SOP." Dude's wheels aren't in very good shape.

[queridiculo]

Certainly good news, but given the nature of his injury I'm not holding my breath.

I sure as hell hope that Nene and Wall don't feel obligated to return prematurely given the way the season is going so far.

[truwizfan4evr]

When a player watches the end of practice with ice bags on his knees, it’s not usually an encouraging sign.

Unless, of course, you are the Wizards and you’re 0-7 without Nene.

Sidelined since the start of training camp with plantar fasciitis, the Wizards’ big man was back on the practice court at Verizon Center Friday, taking part in some half court drills.

“He got on the floor a little bit today and did some half-court stuff that we were doing,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. “He took another step forward today.”

Asked how Nene looked in his limited action, Wittman quipped. “He looked good. He was on the floor.”

Acquired from Denver in exchange for JaVale McGee last March, Nene has been battling pain in his left heel since last season, when he missed 27 games. He aggravated the injury while playing for Brazil in the Summer Olympics and had not practiced with the Wizards until Friday.

Averaging just 88 points a game, the Wizards are in desperate need of scoring help down low, where Trevor Booker [8.1 points, 5 rebounds], Kevin Seraphin [10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds] and Emeka Okafor [8.4 points, 6 rebounds] have been inconsistent. Nene averaged 13.7 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Nuggets and Wizards last season.

Although Nene, 30, is believed to be at least two weeks away from returning to the lineup, point guard A.J. Price said he saw an immediate impact from the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Brazilian at Friday’s practice.

“It would be huge [to get Nene back],” Price said. “Just his presence out there today for the few things that we had him in there, you could see the difference. It was night and day. It would be good to have him out there.”

The problem with plantar fascitiis is that other than rest there is little else an athlete can do to treat it. That’s why the Wizards are showing as much patience as possible with Nene.

“I have no idea [when Nene will return], I really don’t,” Wittman said. “When I do I’ll let you know.

“It’s absolutely a step in the right direction. We haven’t had any setback with John [Wall, stress injury to right knee] or him. As long as we keep moving in that direction it’s positive, very positive.”

[blazinskillz]

Well, if you guys just want to see all rainbows and kittens, why don't you just stick to the optimism thread and spare yourself of all the "disgusting" postings.

How about no............

[noworriesinmd]

I really hope they don't rush him back.

[closg00]

I really hope they don't rush him back.

Nene has always decided when he is ready to be play, he won't be rushed-back.

It won't matter though, Nene is going to be a part-time Wizard for the reminder of his contract most-likely.

[AFM]

I have this crazy conspiracy where Nene just doesn't want to play with a bunch of chumps.

[fishercob]

Nene is out tonight against the Spurs. Hooray.

[queridiculo]

Nene is out tonight against the Spurs. Hooray.

Surprise!