By FRED KERBER
It sounded like there was more to it and there was.
Josh Boone left practice today after expxperiencing what the team called “chest discomfort.” He was examined by doctors who determined nothing immediately worrisome. But Boone will be out until after additional examinations.
News of the condition came out later in the day when the Nets lost another big.
Stromile Swift left the practice facility, gingerly moving on crutches after taking a horrific fall and landing on his back and butt near the end of workouts.
Boone’s case causes more concern. During practice, the center apparently felt his heartbeat increasing. He was quickly examined in the trainer’s room and then left for the doctor’s. He returned and went home. Nothing immediately was uncovered.
Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe said in a statement realeased by the team, “At practice today…Josh Boone experienced what he described as chest discomfort. A subsequent examination by the team trainer as well as the team doctor did not reveal any further symptoms. Josh will have further tests on Monday.”
Anything that could be even remotely heart-related is treated most seriously. And teams do not divulge any medical conditions unless approved by the player.
Coach Lawrence Frank who consulted with trainer Tim Walsh before answering, said Boone “wasn’t feeling well” and “they sent him to the doctor.”
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Swift, after Trenton Hassell blocked Yi Jianlian, soared high in the scrum in the paint. There was the usual expected contact and he plunged to the floor. The 6-10 forward was helped to the trainer’s room by Brook Lopez and Roy Rogers, received immediate treatment and eventually left to get an X-ray.
“We won’t know (his status) until we go and get an X-ray,” Frank said. “We just pray he’s okay.”
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While the seriousness of Swift and Boone’s situations was not known, what is obvious is the Nets are down on their big body count for the time being, specifically Sunday in Boston for the rematch with the Celtics. No Swift. No Boone. No Najera (wrist). Likely no Ryan Anderson (right shoulder strain).
“So much for all that front court depth,” offered Frank.
Luckily, the Nets are in pre-season because with the tendency of Yi Jianlian and Brook Lopez to commit fouls with almost the frequency that they score points, the Nets would be nearly depleted at the power spots. But Frank said the foul thing will work out.
“What happens is, through coaching, through playing, guys figure it out,” Frank said. “It’s very rare that good players are always in foul trouble.”
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Anderson on his status (right shoulder strain): “It definitely feels a lot better and I think I’ll be ready by tomorrow. I might not be doing a full practice but I know I’ll be shooting, getting back to my right hand and everything.”
Sunday out?
“Most likely, but Monday (against the Knicks) I should play.”
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What upset Frank the most in the 111-108 defeat to the Celtics Thursday? The Nets got outworked.
“It’s real early and for us to be successful, it can’t happen. Ever. We have to understand who we are and what our DNA is. We can’t get outworked,” Frank said.
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Lopez on his fouling: “It’s just adjusting to the pace. They ran a lot of misdirection yesterday and a lot of pick-and-rolls. I was too slow on recognizing them. It’s something I have to keep trying to teach myself and keep learning just so I can recognize them in a split second. And I’ve got to talk and communicate with the guards getting picked.”
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Useless Fact of the Day II: Captain Edward Smith planned to retire after one final trans-Atlantic sailing: the maiden voyage of the “Titanic.”