MEMPHIS – After pushing through his first scrimmage sessions in more than two weeks, Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas emerged completely exhausted but also fully encouraged.
He even had a few wisecracks.
“I was joking around with my teammates,” Valanciunas said through his wide, full-bearded grin. “This is Day One of my training camp. So yeah, you cannot ride a (stationary) bicycle and get in shape. Playing is a different shape. But I’ve been in these situations before, and I’ll work through it.”
Indications are Valanciunas will be at work in the middle of the Grizzlies’ rotation on opening night in Miami.