<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI -- An obviously injured Andres Nocioni gritted his teeth through 26 minutes Sunday, a strained right quadriceps piling onto pain from the plantar fasciitis in his right foot that quietly has become an issue again. Perhaps Nocioni will benefit most from the expected five or six days until the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pistons. Coach Scott Skiles continues to tell people Nocioni is lying about having no pain in his in his foot. "I have pain in my leg, and that's it," Nocioni said, typically downplaying the situation. "Right now I have one more week for rest. I'm going to be all right." Nocioni shot just 4 of 14 but hit two huge fourth-quarter baskets and finished with 11 points and five rebounds on Sunday. Clearly favoring his right leg, why did Nocioni even play? "I play for the team, and we need to win," he said. "We need everybody here on the court. It's important for the team."</div> more A lot of people can learn about what it like to be a team player from Andres. I just hope it won't be a factor anytime during future series.
This is another reason to love Noce. He'll be back next season what with how much he shows for this team. A summer of rest with do him good as well.
Nocioni is tough. 2 injuries, one of those is still healing and one of those being new, and he still wants to play. He is a team player. Look forward to seeing you play in Detroit, Noc.
