Sixers Refuse to Rush Holiday’s Return
Patience is not a virtue that Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday possesses. Actually, few 22-year-olds do. That’s where parents, and in Holiday’s case coach Doug Collins, come into play.
Holiday begrudgingly missed his third-straight game Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks, though he appears to be doing everything he can to convince Collins, the trainers, and even himself that his sprained left foot is healed enough for him to be out there battling with teammates. Coach and trainer Kevin Johnson have the final word, however, and that word was “no.”
“If his foot is sore he’s not going to play, we’re just not going to do that,” Collins said. “He’s too valuable and too important. The athlete, the player will always be the person who decides what they do. They know when they’re ready to play. The most important thing is mentally he knows he’s ready and can play and do what he has to do.”
Holiday is trying to buy into it but you can see the frustration mounting. When he left the court following pregame warm-ups, he asked a reporter if he looked OK. He seemed to be hinting that he would go, but that it was out of his hands. As it should be.
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