Contra Costa Times October 30, 2005 ? Injuries, illness and other circumstances have slowed the Warriors' ability to prepare adequately OAKLAND -- Warriors coach Mike Montgomery's plan was to start the key players off slow. ADVERTISEMENT The first couple of preseason games, they would play about 25 minutes or so. As the preseason progressed, their minutes would increase. By the preseason finale, which was Thursday in Phoenix, the regulars would be up to 35 minutes. But injuries, illnesses and circumstances foiled that plan, leaving Montgomery a bit concerned heading into Wednesday's regular-season opener. The starting five has only been together for 21/2 of the seven games, with only forward Mike Dunleavy playing in each game. Guard Jason Richardson missed half of the second game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers in Hawaii and the game at Sacramento for personal reasons. Center Adonal Foyle missed the last three preseason games because of a sore left knee. Forward Troy Murphy missed two games because of the stomach flu. Point guard Baron Davis has been on a pitch count all preseason for fear of injury and missed the Los Angeles Clippers game in Montana to rest his ailing body. "We're not as healthy as we'd like to be," Montgomery said. "As a result of not being able to push in game shape we're probably not in the shape we'd like to be. "I would've liked to build the minutes up. ... Obviously, we weren't able to do that." Now Montgomery is worried the top players won't be ready to sustain a high level of play. There were so many flashes of dominance in the preseason. There were times the Warriors looked like world-beaters against their opponents' best players. But they were consistently stunted by fatigue and lost a lot of leads. Either the exhausted regulars gave up a run with their defensive lapses and poor shot selection, or the second unit failed to maintain the momentum. Montgomery has said he doesn't want to do the wholesale substitution thing. Instead he wants to sprinkle in reserves with the regulars. But he's worried he won't have a choice. "Right now," Montgomery said, "I don't know if your core guys can go 38-40 minutes." Diogu update Rookie forward Ike Diogu had his eye on Nov. 2. He wanted to be back from his broken left hand by the opener. But while X-rays taken Friday revealed progress, Diogu still has a ways to go before he'll see game action. "It's steal really swollen," said Diogu, who added he has another X-ray scheduled for Friday. "It's not as bad as it was." Diogu, who is still wearing a soft cast, has been running and shooting on the side. At Saturday's practice, he worked on his bank shot from the left side of the paint, though he caught and shot the ball with just the right hand, as he still can't put pressure on his left hand. "He's going to be re-evaluated Monday," Montgomery said. "I don't think they'll let him do much. As far as getting on the floor and actually playing, I'd say two weeks. Any sooner would be a bonus." Even after he's able to practice, Diogu will still need some practice time to get back in the flow. So if Montgomery's two weeks guess is right, Diogu could make his debut during the Warriors' second homestand -- a two-gamer against Chicago (Nov. 14) and Milwaukee (Nov. 16) -- or on the following two-game road trip at Portland and at the Los Angeles Clippers. If the preseason was any indication, the Warriors could sure use his interior presence. "If we put him out there, he's got to know where he needs to be," Montgomery said. "He's got to get in game shape. He's been running, but he's got to get in shape. "We're a little bit light on big guys," he added. "So Ike gives you a little different flavor there as far as a guy that's a big physical guy. ... If he comes along, I think he can contribute. It's just a question of how fast he can adapt to the NBA game." Tip-ins Rookie point guard Aaron Miles hasn't been told officially he's on the team. But he hasn't been cut yet. "They said this is our team," Miles said. "I'm still here. It's just a blessing." ... Tickets are still available for the season opener against the Atlanta Hawks. More information is available on www.warriors.com. -- Marcus Thompson II http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AvUS...night&type=lgns
