Healthy Holiday rejoins Sixers' versatile guards

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If word Sunday night of Jrue Holidays strained Achilles tendon made you gasp, fear not.

The third-year point guard was on the court Monday afternoon and doing plenty that pleased his coach, as well as help his squad win a scrimmage.

It felt better. I tried to take it a little lighter, Holiday said. Especially after yesterday, the blue team wanted to redeem themselves and once I got warmed up and really got the flow, I stopped thinking about it.

Holiday did not recall a particular play where he hurt the Achilles in the latter part of Sundays first practice. He did change the way his ankles were taped Monday and says he will stick with that adjustment.

Doug Collins was glad to see Holiday have such a strong practice on the heels of sitting him for precautionary reasons a day earlier.

Jrue is really good and Dre (Iguodala) has been awesome. He has been fantastic, Doug Collins said.

This was the teams fourth day of camp and playing with Holiday in the backcourt was Jodie Meeks, who started 64 games last year. Meeks is a catch-and-shoot guy, who made 40 percent from three-point range and averaged 10 points, playing 28 minutes a season ago.

He definitely has a comfort zone when on the court with the other four returning starters.

I think the guys we had starting tonight definitely play well together, Meeks said. But hey, I am just wanting to play and anything the team asks from me I will do.

The team asks him to spread the floor and make shots. Meeks does his part and through the course of last year, Iguodala and Holiday developed a knack for always finding him.

Jodie knows if me or Dre have the ball get out on the wing, Holiday said, his eyes lighting up at the thought of transition buckets. He runs as hard as he can and hes probably one of the best on the team at that and we are looking for him. He definitely has that confidence going that we are going to get him the ball.

Jodie is an interesting guy. Jodie fits beautifully with our starting group, Collins added. He spaces when Dre and Jrue penetrate. He keeps spacing out there for E.B. (Elton Brand) to get it in the post. He played tonight very well because he was with that group.

If you think about it, there is no pressure on Meeks. He earned his starting spot last season out of the blue. Meeks began the year on the inactive roster for the fist six games. People now understand that Meeks makes shots, but a portion of fans thought the shooting guard position was an area the team could upgrade.

Boston has Ray Allen, Miami has Dwyane Wade and Atlanta has Joe Johnson.

Was Evan Turner going to be that guy for the Sixers? They have him on the roster, but he just may not be on the court for the opening tip most games.

Turner may once again be asked to come off the bench, not because his shot hasnt improved or because he isnt talented enough to go up against other NBA starters. This is about chemistry and Collins getting the most out of his roster.

If Lou (Williams) and Thad (Young) dont start, there is not another guy in the world that can be upset about not starting, Collins said. Those guys have accepted the fact that the role that they play for us and how it helps us win. So regardless of who starts at that two spot, the other two guys are a shining example of what we are trying to dobelieve in your role and star in your role.

Collins makes a valid argument when talking about Williams and Young and the bench roles they willingly fill. Still, Turner being the second overall pick certainly changes the dynamic at least slightly.

Williams was a second-round pick coming out of high school, who certainly paid his dues. Young, a first-round pick at No. 12, cracked the starting rotation plenty during his first three years in the league before settling into his reserve role under Collins.

For Turners part, he has looked good for the most part in camp but he is uncomfortable talking to be a starter or not.

Coach always says that the five best players dont necessarily start, Turner reminded. At the same time, if once again Jodie is the ideal guy to spread the court and he is going to do this or that, than thats right. I dont know what else to say. We definitely have to fit in and do what is best for the team.

As a rookie, Turner averaged seven field goal attempts per game in 23 minutes. If those two numbers could increase, the role he plays will be irrelevant to him. He has said time and again that he is just trying to get better as a player and he prefers not concentrating on competing against someone, instead just competing hard when he is on the court.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.

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