Jerebko preaches patience

OAKLAND >> As DeMarcus Cousins rehabs his left Achilles tendon, the Warriors’ All-Star center has a trusty teammate who has offered plenty of perspective on how to navigate his recovery.

His name is Jonas Jerebko, who has not just bolstered the Warriors with his toughness and outside shooting. He also has offered insight on when he recovered

from a torn right Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the entire 2010-11 campaign during his second NBA season.

“He should take some more time and he’s getting there,” Jerebko said after morning shootaround on Wednesday. “We need him coming in March and April and May. That’s when we need him He can take his time.”

The Warriors have not attached a timetable on Cousins’ return, but they do not plan for him to return just in time for the NBA playoffs. He might return as early as January.

Jerebko strained his right Achilles in a 2010 exhibition with the Detroit Pistons, and was told immediately he would not play all season. Jerebko returned to the Pistons for the 2011-12 lockout-shortened season without any reported issues. Though he acknowledged the compressed schedule providing extra challenges, Jerebko said he did not feel any limitations.

Jerebko averaged 8.7 points on 46.8 percent shooting and 4.8 rebounds that season, in line with his 10-year NBA career averages in points (6.2), shooting percentage (45.8 percent) and rebounds