Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams said opponents should be wary of a motivated Montrezl Harrell once the Clippers’ power is able to re-enter the team within the NBA bubble.
“He’s back, ready to work,” said Williams of Harrell, who is currently quarantined on the NBA campus in Orlando, Florida. “Obviously Trez is an energetic guy, he’s a guy who plays at a high level, an extremely physical player, an extremely emotional player.
“With a few things in mind, I’m sorry for the other guys on the other team.”
Harrell returned to the NBA bubble in the middle of the night on Sunday. The sixth man of the year finalist left the team on July 17 and recently lost his grandmother. Harrell posted numerous messages on his social media accounts detailing how emotional the loss of his grandmother was, also sharing messages about how motivated he was.
Harrell is one of three key Clippers who briefly left the team in July to deal with a justified family emergency. Patrick Beverley and Williams were the others.
Williams said he understands what Harrell is going through and is ready for the Clippers to be whole again just before the postseason starts.
“Obviously when Trez comes back, our group will be in full swing, our team will be in full swing,” Williams said. “… I think you see us playing well in spurts, then with minutes and everything, I think our coaching staff is preparing for the big picture.
“Mentally we’re preparing for the big picture. I know there’s another level there. I know we have another place we can tap into. I think the kids are preparing for it.”
Pending protocol and NBA testing clearance, Harrell could potentially come out of quarantine ahead of the Clippers’ regular season finale v Oklahoma City on Friday.
“It would be nice to have our normal rotation at least once in the bubble,” Clippers manager Doc Rivers said when asked if Harrell could be expected to play on Friday. “We have to be the only team that hasn’t had the normal rotation of a game throughout the bubble. It was tough that way. But hopefully we can do it for a game.”
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