Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye did 'everything' to work ahead of rehab

Just because Channing Frye's dislocated right shoulder was slapped with a two-to-three-week healing label didn't mean he would disappear to bed rest until the door to a return swung open this weekend.

To get to the point at which Frye could possibly play again for the Suns on Friday, two days ahead of the best-case scenario after his March 6 injury, Frye had to knock the door down with more time and dedication than what his normal Suns basketball life required.

Before Frye could help heal his reeling team, he had to heal himself with the help of "YUMS," the Suns athletic trainers to whom Shaquille O'Neal once gave the acronym for "Young Unorthodox Medical Staff."

"I'm probably going to come back in better shape than I was before," Frye said. "I've got so much energy. I can't just sit down. It's not my style. I want to help the team make the playoffs so much. I want to bring energy. I'm going to try to do the best I can to make sure I have my rhythm back and that I come out and be aggressive. I can't play passive. I'm going to try to be more aggressive than I was before."

Frye was cleared by the medical staff Wednesday, setting up Thursday's practice as a chance to play with contact so Frye could judge whether he is ready to play.

"Channing has busted his butt all year long to put in his work," Nelson said. "A lot of people could get down and dejected, but he's worked twice as hard to get ready to play, and he already had been working hard. Channing put in every piece of work we've asked of him. He has done everything he could do to get ready to play."