Duren's next step is playing through the elbows as a passer with shooters around him.
“That's where the next step is for him. … Understanding how good of a passer he is, then what it looks like when you put the ball in his hands at the elbows, and now you've got shooting all around.”
Duren is definitely planned to play in the preseason with his workload watched closely.
“The plan is for sure. It's just one of those things that we'll always be cautious of is how he's feeling. And going from a summer workout to an NBA game, regardless if it's a preseason game, you want to be aware of his body and the work that he's putting in... But the plan is definitely for him to play in the preseason.”
Duren looks faster and more explosive with a better face-up game.
“He's done a really good job of making small improvements all around. You know, he appears to be faster, more explosive. His face-up game has improved. You know, his work around the basket has improved as well.”
Duren has been switchable on defense and able to guard smaller players so far.
“Defensively being in his right spots, you know, being switchable and being able to guard smaller guys so far. So he's looked really good.”
Duren is on a planned ramp-up aimed at full speed for the Oct. 20 opener.
“We're going to take our time. We've got a plan organizationally from the front office, coaches, performance, medical staff, we've put a plan in place to ramp him up so by Oct. 20, the first game, he's ready to go and ready to go full speed.”
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