NBA

Sounds like Boone starts. At least today.

By FRED KERBER

Lawrence Frank won’t announce his starting five for Wednesday but if you were to flip a coin for the center spot it would likely go, “Heads, Boone; tails, probably Boone.” Figure an edge defensively and a little experience gives Boone the edge over Brook Lopez at this point. Josh Boone, who went out Oct. 17 when he experienced a rapid heartbeat – a condition that doctors were unable to duplicate or pinpoint and have since issued a clearance to continue – went through practice today. He said it went well and he felt far better than he expected.

“You know what? I wasn’t nearly as out of shape as I thought I was going to be,” Boone said after resuming workouts. “Early on, it was a little bit tough but toward the end of practice I was okay.”

So, you starting Wednesday?

“I’ll be playing. I don’t know if I’m starting or not so I guess we’ll see on Wednesday,” Boone said. “Obviously I’d like to be a starter. Anybody on the team likes to be a starter. Whether I am or not I have to do the same things on the floor that I do if I was starting.”

Frank is being Mr. Mum publicly until he at least sees Boone in practice Tuesday. But he didn’t say anything to discourage a Boone starts notion.

“I just want to make sure his conditioning and his wind and just the things we’ve put in he’s comfortable with. Josh is a smart guy. We’ll kind of see where he’s at and we’ll go from there,” Frank said. “It’s a possibility it’s him.”

OK, not a ringing endorsement. Then there was this on Boone’s experience.

“Looking at the parts, Josh, because he’s been here is probably a little bit more comfortable communicating and talking in terms of calling the defensive commands,” Frank said. “Sean’s (Williams) been here a year. Brook is new. When you look at it and kind of factor all those things…

“At the same time, we may start one way and change, vice versa. I think with Josh is he has the best opportunity early because his ability and knowing. But as you guys saw Brook looked pretty damn good.”

Right, figure Boone.

Lopez’ take on the matter: “It depends how JB comes back, if he’s still in shape and things like that. He looked really good in practice so like I said it’s not up to me. What I do in practice will affect whether or not I start. And whether or not I start, regardless, I’ll come in with the same energy and try to play hard and try to play defense.”

* * *

Sean Williams took a beating in practice. Nothing serious, though.

“He was in the midst of like four skirmishes. Once he got his hand, his funny bone…” Frank said.