NBAE / Getty Images The Bobcats signed free agent guard Larry Hughes on March 13, 2010

March 13, 2010

Hughes signed | Hughes gallery | Hughes player profile

The newest member of the Bobcats - Larry Hughes - met with the media after practice on Saturday in Charlotte. Head Coach Larry Brown and General Manager Rod Higgins also caught up with the media to discuss Hughes' signing.

Larry Hughes
(On his most recent injury)
I got hit in the last game I played in, it was actually the top of my hand, it wasn't my finger, so I'm just healing up from a fracture. It's my left hand, my fourth metacarpal. I'm fine right now with catching and dribbling. I was cleared on Monday of this week to start doing those activities and haven't had any problems during or after workouts, so it's kind of a process. Right now we're at the five week-mark, leading up to six weeks. Everyone knows it takes 4 to 6 weeks for a bone to heal, and in my case I know it's six weeks because I've broken bones before. I'm right at the mark, getting in condition to play basketball. I'm ready to go. It's just a matter of contact - getting out there with the guys. I'm a guy that uses my hands a lot to reach in there for balls and be aggressive on defense.

(On when he thinks he will be ready)
We're looking at a week. I talked to the doctors yesterday and have a hand specialist in Baltimore. We're looking at a week to re-evaluate it. I can do a lot of things now, just without contact.

(On what he knows about the Bobcats)
I've been watching. I've got some friends on the team so I keep up with everybody. Coach has been one of the guys that I've always been fond of and feel I've learned a lot, so I always watch the games to see what he's saying.

(On what he expects his role will be)
I'm about to meet with coach now. My role is just to come in and be positive on both ends of the court, in the locker room, on the practice court. This team has done a great job as far as putting itself in great position to make the playoffs. A lot of things happen this time of year as far as injuries and things like that, so it's just an extra push to get to the finish line.

(On his transition defense ability)
I pride myself on the ability to play both ends. It's no fun playing just one end of the basketball court. Getting stops, being aggressive on defense, letting those defensive things lead into transition for our team.

Head Coach Larry Brown
(On Larry Hughes)
He's coming off an injury, so I think he'll be ready to go for practice Thursday, and we'll see from there. It gives us some insurance. Losing Flip, we don't have a third point guard if we really need one, and he's played for me before. Rod (Higgins) and Michael (Jordan) really liked him when he was with them in Washington, so it gives us an opportunity to get a good look at a veteran player who I think can play. He's always been a good defender. He can make shots. He can make plays. So if Gerald (Wallace) is out for a while, you can maybe move Jack to three and have an extra long, athletic guy.

General Manager Rod Higgins
(On what changed his mind on Larry Hughes)
I think initially he was a little further away from getting on the court than he is today. We had an opportunity to stay in contact with Larry and his rep. I think Larry is looking forward to getting back on the court. For us, I just felt that it was a good opportunity to add some depth. Larry is going to re-evaluate the situation in a few days and we're hoping that he gets back on the court real soon. We're happy to have Larry be available at this point in the season. We're going to get him in shape. We're going to have our doctors take a look at him again sometime in the middle of next week.