The Window is Open for J.R. Giddens

Posted by Zach Lowe on Oct 17, 2009 36300 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F10%2F17%2Fthe-window-is-open-for-j-r-giddens%2FThe+Window+is+Open+for+J.R.+Giddens2009-10-17+23%3A31%3A29Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D3630

Tony Allen’s ankle is swelling up, and he may not be ready to return until the second week of the season, according to this wire story:

Allen also noted he might have been a bit too enthusiastic about trying to get back on the court — he approached Rivers just before tipoff of an exhibition game against the New York Knicks on Oct. 9 — and the ankle hasn’t responded well since he logged a little over eight scoreless minutes.

Now it sounds like Allen might not be ready to return to game action until the second week of the season.

“It was unfortunate that it swelled up on me afterwards,” said Allen. “It was aching pretty bad. I’m just focusing on trying to get this right. I know it’s going to take a little time, but I feel my body is in shape.”

Let’s assume TA starts the season on the inactive list. Bill Walker’s also going to be on that list. That leaves the team with 13 players; the league requires teams to have at least 12 players active except under very limited circumstances that don’t apply here. If Walker and TA are both out, it seems likely that Lester Hudson would join them on the inactive list, since the need for a back-up wing is suddenly more pressing than the need for a back-up PG.

This doesn’t necessarily mean Giddens will play. But if the first week roster does shake out like that, chances are he will dress for games and get a chance at minutes—perhaps even as the 11th man, ahead of Shelden Williams.

I’ve said before that Giddens doesn’t look ready. Perhaps I judged him too harshly and did not give him enough credit for a tough 13-rebound performance the other night against the Knicks. Doc publicly complimented that effort, and said Giddens could win a role on the team by playing defense and getting on the boards.

Maybe this is his chance.