At '95 percent', rookie Anderson itching to work

By Jeff McDonald / MYSA.com
on Aug 31, 10 04:07 PM

Spurs holdovers and hopefuls were back at it Tuesday morning in the team's practice facility.

Those working out included familiar faces (Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, George Hill), young players hoping to solidify a roster spot (Garrett Temple, Curtis Jerrells) and free agents auditioning for an offer (Jawad Williams, Darius Miles).

One player unable to participate in said activities: First-round draft pick James Anderson.

Anderson was up at the practice facility Tuesday, lifting weights and working on conditioning with the team's strength staff. In the final stages of recovering from a hamstring strain that has plagued him since before draft day, Anderson has yet to join his new teammates for any sort of on-court basketball activities.

"I think I'm getting back to 100 percent," Anderson said Tuesday. "I'm about 95 percent right now. Just working my way back up."

Back in July, Anderson said the injury was minor enough that he could have played had it been the regular season. The Spurs medical staff, seeing no need to push him in August, has approached Anderson's recalcitrant hammy with extreme caution.

The goal has always been to have Anderson ready for a series of high-stakes "open gym" type workouts at the beginning of September. He remains on track to meet that goal.

"I think I'll be on the court soon," Anderson said.