duncan228
10-10-2009, 04:53 PM
Wade, Quinn sidelined for ailing Heat (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-wade-s101009,0,5331552.story)
By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun Sentinel
MIAMI - Rather than jeopardizing his playing status for the upcoming regular season, Heat guard Dwyane Wade sat out practice Saturday and will miss Sunday night's preseason home opener against the retooled San Antonio Spurs with a strained muscle in his left rib cage.
An MRI test taken Friday revealed no major damage but Wade is listed as day to day with a left intercostal strain. Wade said if it were a regular-season game he'd probably give it a go, but would rather err on the side of caution with five preseason games remaining.
"It's preseason. It just felt weird. It's a precaution and not overly serious," said Wade, who felt discomfort in the third quarter of Wednesday's 90-86 loss to the Magic. "We got a long season ahead of us so I'm not trying to be a hero right now."
The backcourt was dealt a more serious blow when point guard Chris Quinn sustained a sprained right foot while diving for a loose ball during Friday's practice. Forward Michael Beasley fell on the foot. Quinn's foot will be in a protective boot for at least a week.
Heat coach Eric Spoelstra said that shooting guard Daequan Cook can handle secondary ballhandling duties once he gets used to the splint on his sprained right thumb, and should be available Sunday. But the lack of backcourt depth gives former Rockets guard John Lucas (non-guaranteed contract) a huge opportunity to earn a spot on the roster with just him and Mario Chalmers the only healthy point guards available.
"John did some different things in practice today," Spoelstra said. "I tried to speed it up on his team to see if he'd be more effective and he was. The second unit was playing with a lot of energy."
In addition to Wade and Quinn, center Jermaine O'Neal sat out practice again with a bruised left foot. He has missed five of the 11 days the Heat has worked this preseason. O'Neal will work out before Sunday's game and will play if he feels up to it. Backup guard Quentin Richardson is also nursing a sore left ankle.
"It depends on how you look at it," Spoelstra said about the injury bug. "Nothing's very serious so that part is OK. I got some work for the other guys, which is good.
"The most serious injury right now is Quinny. He'll be in a boot for about a week and knock on wood, it's nothing really very serious at this point."
Spoelstra said he would discuss the possibility of signing a free-agent point guard with team president Pat Riley.
By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun Sentinel
MIAMI - Rather than jeopardizing his playing status for the upcoming regular season, Heat guard Dwyane Wade sat out practice Saturday and will miss Sunday night's preseason home opener against the retooled San Antonio Spurs with a strained muscle in his left rib cage.
An MRI test taken Friday revealed no major damage but Wade is listed as day to day with a left intercostal strain. Wade said if it were a regular-season game he'd probably give it a go, but would rather err on the side of caution with five preseason games remaining.
"It's preseason. It just felt weird. It's a precaution and not overly serious," said Wade, who felt discomfort in the third quarter of Wednesday's 90-86 loss to the Magic. "We got a long season ahead of us so I'm not trying to be a hero right now."
The backcourt was dealt a more serious blow when point guard Chris Quinn sustained a sprained right foot while diving for a loose ball during Friday's practice. Forward Michael Beasley fell on the foot. Quinn's foot will be in a protective boot for at least a week.
Heat coach Eric Spoelstra said that shooting guard Daequan Cook can handle secondary ballhandling duties once he gets used to the splint on his sprained right thumb, and should be available Sunday. But the lack of backcourt depth gives former Rockets guard John Lucas (non-guaranteed contract) a huge opportunity to earn a spot on the roster with just him and Mario Chalmers the only healthy point guards available.
"John did some different things in practice today," Spoelstra said. "I tried to speed it up on his team to see if he'd be more effective and he was. The second unit was playing with a lot of energy."
In addition to Wade and Quinn, center Jermaine O'Neal sat out practice again with a bruised left foot. He has missed five of the 11 days the Heat has worked this preseason. O'Neal will work out before Sunday's game and will play if he feels up to it. Backup guard Quentin Richardson is also nursing a sore left ankle.
"It depends on how you look at it," Spoelstra said about the injury bug. "Nothing's very serious so that part is OK. I got some work for the other guys, which is good.
"The most serious injury right now is Quinny. He'll be in a boot for about a week and knock on wood, it's nothing really very serious at this point."
Spoelstra said he would discuss the possibility of signing a free-agent point guard with team president Pat Riley.