Hawks' Tiago Splitter: Cleared for training camp

Splitter (hip) has been cleared for training camp, Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. In regards to Splitter's recovery, coach Mike Budenholzer said, "With the hip, if you are just talking specifically about the hip, everybody feels like it couldn't be going much better. Now, it's getting all the muscles and everything that goes into being ready to play up to speed. We are expecting him to participate in camp, maybe not at 100 percent participation but significant. I think more of the scrimmaging and real basketball stuff to see how he is doing and be conscientious that whenever we use him it's in real live basketball environment."

Analysis:

Splitter indicated earlier this summer that he expected to be at full strength for the start of camp, so this news seemingly indicates that his rehab program has gone accordingly. The Hawks may ease him back into action and have him sit out some drills here and there during camp, but he looks poised to enter the regular season without any limitations. He'll serve as the top backup to starting center Dwight Howard, who signed with the Hawks in July.