Bill Cartwright, who did not suit up for Tuesday night`s game because of a flare-up of tendinitis in his left knee, said Thursday he has enjoyed the last couple of days off but is ready to return Saturday, against Cleveland.
”Big Brad,” he said with a smile, referring to Cleveland center Brad Daugherty. ”That`s really something to come back to-all 280 pounds of him.
Cartwright worked with weights Wednsday and did some physical therapy in the pool. Thursday`s hour-long team practice, said Cartwright, felt good.
”I ran hard, got some sweat out, which is good; got a little wind, which is good,” he said. ”We went short, so we didn`t get too beat up.”
Thirty-something: Phil Jackson suggested that in addition to Cartwright, perhaps other players should be given some rest, but he added, ”I don`t foresee it right now.”
Jackson said that because when he approached the only other over-30 player in the starting lineup, John Paxson, who`s 31, he got a negative response.
”I mentioned it to Pax, and he wasn`t at all in favor of it,” Jackson said.
There are, however, three other over-30 players on the team, excluding Cartwright-Craig Hodges, Bobby Hansen and Cliff Levingston, all 31-and Cartwright joked that a few others might like to lie about their age.
”After today`s practice, everybody was raising their hand, saying, `I`m 30.` ”
