MCW looks good in practice, but Sixers remain cautious

WE'VE SEEN him launch jumper after jumper after jumper. He runs stay-in-shape, timed sprints after practice when his teammates have headed to the showers or recovery areas.

There isn't a hint of injury, no hitch in the shot, not a grimace or even a grab at his surgically repaired right shoulder. At a glance, Michael Carter-Williams appears to be more than ready to jump back into the point guard spot he mastered into NBA Rookie of the Year honors last season and show what kind of progress he's made, going into Year 2.

But that probably won't happen anytime soon. Though all reports since his surgery in early May to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder have all said "ahead of schedule," the original prognosis of a 2- to 4-month recovery looks as if it will surpass the higher estimate. Though he looks good, with added muscle to his upper body and an overall more mature look about him, MCW still hasn't been cleared to participate in contact drills at practice. And, as we all know, this 76ers administration is not about to put anyone on the floor unless he is weeks, sometimes months, past being fully healthy.

"It's hard to give an exact timeline," coach Brett Brown said of Carter-Williams' return. "I see a stronger body, including his shoulder. I see a fitter player, including his wind and his basic cardio stuff. He's just sort of going on the path that we anticipated. In relation to when does that actually translate into playing physical, five-on-five basketball, I still think he's a few weeks' away."

In the coach's mind, that few weeks' away means away from playing contact basketball. After that happens, there will be a time period when MCW needs to get himself back into NBA game shape. With the season opener on Oct. 29, Carter-Williams might be a bystander for the beginning of the season.

"There really isn't soreness," Brown said. "He gets through all the shooting that we're doing well, and he still puts up shots. He seems to be doing most things pain-free, which is the barometer of when he can come back. He's passed all the tests to date. I think it's a ways away. It's a ways away. But it's hard to come up with an exact time frame."

More than anything, preseason is a time to evaluate players, and with the group Brown has, that means a lot of players competing for roster spots.

Last season, the always-optimistic Brown might not have been disappointed by anyone more than Arnett Moultrie. Out of shape most of the season, Moultrie saw very little playing time, which resulted in a couple trips to the NBA Development League. He seemed uninterested on the bench with the Sixers and then was suspended for five games toward the end of the season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Saying Moultrie wouldn't be back was a good assumption. But the 6-11, 245-pounder came to camp in shape and, more important, in the right frame of mind. He has scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench in the two preseason games and has displayed a willingness to do whatever it takes for him and the team.

"He's further along than I expected. He's come in with a fantastic attitude, which is A No. 1 for us. He's a spirited teammate. His body shows that he put in the work and that he cares, and now you're starting to see him get rewarded with some minutes and making some shots. I have nothing but praise for Arnett at this stage. It has to be a great reflection of what he's thinking, doesn't it? His body is good, his cardio is good. It's a reflection of what must be really going on upstairs, where he understands. There is no wiggle room for Arnett."

In the Sixers' first preseason game against the Celtics, they went up against former teammate Evan Turner. Tonight they'll face Thaddeus Young, traded in the offseason to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"The other night, you see Evan [Turner] in a uniform and you're playing against him, and I'm thrilled for him. I think he's found a good home. He deserves a good home. He looks good; he looks happy. It was good to see him in that environment.

"I'm anticipating to see Thad, too. He's with a good team that has a chance to slide into the playoffs. [Spencer Hawes] ended up with a hell of a team [Clippers]. I like seeing these guys end up someplace good."

Swingman Hollis Thompson took a finger in the eye in Wednesday's exhibition win over the Charlotte Hornets, which resulted in a corneal abrasion. He did not make the trip to Minnesota yesterday . . . The next preseason game is Tuesday in Syracuse, N.Y., against the New York Knicks.

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