Sixers Notes: Williams will be ready for playoffs, Collins says

Lou Williams "is our personality," coach Doug Collins said. "He's our voice. He gets us into the huddles; he gets us out."

By Kate Fagan, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: April 13, 2011

Combo guard Lou Williams, who strained his right hamstring in the loss to Milwaukee, went through practice on Tuesday. After practice, he ran some light sprints to test the hamstring. Although Williams has already been ruled out of Wednesday night's game, Sixers coach Doug Collins said he felt Williams would be ready for the playoff opener.

"I don't think people realize - I do and our team does - Lou is our personality," Collins said. "He's our voice. He gets us into the huddles; he gets us out of the huddles. He gets the guys before the game and after the game. We missed his voice, his energy, and his personality."

Game-time decision

Swingman Andre Iguodala spent Tuesday's practice on the elliptical machine. Iguodala, resting his right knee, did not play against the Magic and is officially listed as a game-time decision against the Pistons.

Unless his tendinitis worsens, Iguodala will be ready for the playoffs.

Physical play

When asked about the Heat's "physicality" and whether that's something the Sixers can handle, Sixers center Spencer Hawes responded: "It's not like we're going up against the '91 Pistons."

The Detroit Pistons of 1991 were, of course, known as a physically tough team, bordering on dirty. The Miami Heat do not have such a reputation, although in recent games they've turned feisty: LeBron James engaged in a scuffle against the Boston Celtics, and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas was ejected for throwing the ball at Zaza Pachulia during the Heat's victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night.