Cardinal, Gasol, Stoudemire in Good Spirits

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Forward Brian Cardinal finally has awakened from the nightmare.

Training camp is here. His knee is feeling better. More importantly, last season is a memory.

Cardinal struggled to recover from knee surgery and appeared in just 36 games during the 2005-06 season. Now, he's healthy again -- mentally and physically.

"I feel a lot better than I did last year. I still have days when I'm sore but I think it's just about me being able to manage it," Cardinal said. "I'm excited about how I feel. Now we'll see how it feels once practice starts."

The Grizzlies began two-a-day workouts Tuesday.

So far, so good.

The Griz are counting on Cardinal to be an integral piece given their early-season handicap. Forward Pau Gasol is expected to miss at least two months of the regular season because of left foot surgery.

It was Cardinal who stepped up his play two years ago when Gasol sat out more than 20 games with a foot injury.

"Last year was disappointing because I was hurt for the majority of the season," Cardinal said. "Hopefully, I can get out there and mix it up and regain my form."

Cardinal's best season unfolded in 2003-04 when he averaged 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 76 games with the Golden State Warriors

Gasol, Stoudamire in good spirits

Gasol arrived at Monday's media day in a wheelchair but he attended Tuesday's practice and plans to remain around the team until his rehabilitation from left foot surgery begins.

The 7-foot Spaniard is in good spirits.

"I'm shooting to be able to walk without crutches in three weeks," Gasol said.

No one is in as good a mood as veteran point guard Damon Stoudamire. He's seemingly recovered 100 percent from knee surgery after a season-ending injury last December.

But Stoudamire doesn't want to jinx the progress.

"I'm not going to put a number on it," Stoudamire said, smiling. "I'm fine. I'm just thinking that I'll be all right this year." </div>

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