Doctors continue to tell Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations and head coach Stan Van Gundy that Brandon Jennings' rehab is coming along very well and while he is encouraged to hear that he can't make his own determination until he is out on the floor doing basketball activities.
"His rehab is going well; again, it's so hard to tell until he can actually start doing anything. The doctors tell you he's on pace, he's on pace, he's on pace. But as a coach, until you see him actually out on the court and start seeing the progression on what he can do out there, you don't have any idea. We're optimistic that things will go well and hopefully by the beginning of the season he'll be ready to go," said Van Gundy according to the Detroit Free Press.
Jennings ruptured his Achilles in January and has been rehabbing the injury ever since. The injury typically takes about a year to heal before players can get back on the court, but Van Gundy saw an up close example of someone who likely came back in nine months.
The Pistons played against the Philadelphia 76ers summer league team and Pierre Jackson who was one year removed from suffering an Achilles injury. Van Gundy reportedly said that he looked great just one short year after the injury and he believes that Jackson was likely doing basketball activities three months prior to summer league starting.
If Van Gundy's thought process is true, that would mean Jackson was able to return in just nine months which gives him hope for Jennings. Since Jennings' injury occurred in January a nine month timetable would bring him back in October for the start of the 2015-16 season.
Right now this is all just wishful thinking for the Pistons as Jennings has yet to run and they will continue to be cautious with Jennings, but Jackson's recovery has given them reason for cautious optimism.
In case Jennings isn't ready to start the season the Pistons made a trade for veteran backup point guard Steve Blake to hold Jennings' place until he is ready. Jennings will more than likely not be the starting point guard when he returns, after the Pistons gave Reggie Jackson a huge contract, but his role will still be a big one so having him back healthy is key for the Pistons next season.
