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Carroll was never going to be an offensive focus on this team — although his ability to shoot the three certainly helped in that regard — but he is the designated defensive stopper and he knows it.

The team has been better defensively even in his absence thanks in large part to a bench unit that includes defence-first guys like Cory Joseph, Patrick Patterson, and Bismack Biyombo.

But those guys aren’t likely to see the floor a whole lot when the Paul George’s or LeBron James’ of the NBA are doing their thing. That is where Carroll comes in and he believes he’ll be ready when the time comes and that he’ll get the opportunity to perform without being held back.

“I think me knowing coach Casey, once playoffs start I think all those minute restrictions are going to go out the door because it’s your season, it’s do or die,” Carroll said. “I think right now they are just trying to be conservative and get me back in rhythm. The way I play and my style of game is nothing but defence. I’m going to be key for this team on the defensive end trying to slow down guys like LeBron and Paul George. I know what I have to do coming into the game. Coming in and not being expected to score a lot, that kind of takes a lot of pressure off me.”

Casey admitted limiting Carroll’s minutes once they get into the heart of the playoffs is going to be tough for him, but hinted that may only be the case early on.

“He’s exactly right because that is why we brought him here, to be that defensive player for us and believe me he wants to be out there and we want him out there,” Casey said. “But again, he has got to listen to his body and the medical people because everyone here has his best interests at heart. In turn it will wind up having our interests at heart. We just have to be prudent with it.

“As much as we would like to ramp up his minutes quickly, it’s just not smart to do,” Casey said. “As bad as I want him out there, I am not going to override that, no matter when it is, whether it’s these next couple of games or the first couple of game of the playoffs. We have to be smart and look at the long-term picture of his health.”

Reading between the lines, don’t expect these limitations to last long into the playoffs. Carroll is making progress every day and when the team needs the Junkyard Dog the most, there is every chance he will be able to give them every minute they need from him.