Yeah, I was surprised to read Sura was slated to start. I think most assumed it was Ward, and I think JVG even said it would be Ward. Also, the article confirms something that I've been thinking about for awhile. How much sense does it make to have a 6'8" SG and an 6'6" SF? Probably, we're better off thinking of the starters as Swingman1 and Swingman2.
If Sura’s primary role for the team was to be the starting point guard, I’m not sure why they signed Ryan Bowen rather than another point guard to replace him.
Since you've been following the situation, if you say it's minor, I'll take your word for it. I do worry a little because, back's problem, stiffness, soreness or whatever, does not go away for good. It will come back time and again. When it's here, it's a ..b*itch trying to play with it. TMac can't be at his best when he hurts.
How many games has he missed with these back problems? Not too many. Francis missed half a season with an ear infection. (Disclaimer: the preceding statement was a joke, not Francis bashing in any way.)
Yes - like I said it's not an injury in the same sense as something that has to heal or something that needs surgery. It can come and go. The first year in Orlando, McGrady didn't miss any games due to his back Every game he missed that year I believe was for consequences in his involvments with fights against Eric Snow and Bobby Jackson. Then the next, his back started to stiffen up on him late in the season and on into the playoffs. The third year, it gave him problems early in the season, once after Tractor Traylor flattened him on a layup attempt (It was right before the All-Star break I believe), and then after game 4 against Detroit. Last year, I believe he only missed 1 game due to his back (It was said that during their westcoast road trip, he slept on a mattress on the team plane and that's how it stiffened.) The rest were due to having the flu or tendinitis in his knee. I think some people are throwing water on something that's not even on fire. Yes, there is reason to be concern just because the media wants it to be that way - but these things happen at training camp. There's no way around it. It's like this. Go outside and lean over to pick up rocks for 10 minutes or so. Stop and sit down. And then go out there and do it again. Then stop and sit down. And then go out there and do it again. This is the abuse of training camp. Soreness is apart of the business of being a pro athlete. The greatest example is a baseball pitcher.
