METAIRIE, La. -- Anthony Davis said he feels "amazing" after participating in virtually every part of the morning session of the New Orleans Pelicans' first two-a-day practice. Davis, who had an ultrasonic debridement of his left knee last spring, said he only sat out some conditioning toward the end but found another way to achieve the same objective.
“It felt amazing to be back on the floor with these guys,” he said. “It’s been a while. I think we had a great first day. I’ve got to learn how to slow down a little bit; we’re playing really fast right now. But I like where we’re at right now.”
Davis, 23, said at Friday’s media day that he was “all-in” for practice and training camp, but the Pelicans have taken the long view with his recovery. He will have his workload monitored and might play limited minutes in preseason games, but he is expected to be ready for the team’s regular-season opener Oct. 26 against the Denver Nuggets.
The three-time All-Star said in March that he started to feel a lack of explosion, which ultimately led him to have season-ending surgery. But he said Saturday that the issue is no longer a concern.
“Of course, in the beginning when you come back, you’re scared to go up with power or anything like that, to be explosive,” he said. “But when I’m out there, I just go. Whatever happens, happens. Today, everything felt great. I’m more explosive than what I was. I’m more powerful. I’m just happy to be back on the court.”
Said coach Alvin Gentry: “He’s playing great. He feels great.”
Davis was initially scheduled to also have surgery last spring to correct a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder, but doctors determined it unnecessary after evaluation and consultation.
“No, my shoulder’s fine,” he said. “I feel like it’s stronger than it’s ever been.”
Davis has yet to appear in 70 games in a season but said Friday that he wants to play -- and feels ready to withstand -- a full season. He averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and two blocks with a 25.0 player efficiency rating in 61 games last season for the Pelicans, who finished 12th in the Western Conference at 30-52.
