The numbers are modest, well below the norms of his previous two seasons in a Charlotte Bobcats uniform. The minutes are down and, accordingly, so too are the production statistics.

But, for the moment anyway, Primoz Brezec is using a different measuring stick. He is, after all, playing again in a season that must have seemed as if it would never get started. And he is happy to be back on track.

He missed part of the first week of training camp in October in Wilmington, played during exhibition season, then got a realistic but disappointing diagnosis as the November 1 regular season opener drew near – he would miss approximately the first two weeks of the season while recuperating from exhaustion and dehydration.

He missed the first eight games, played a combined 11 minutes in the next two, then sat out three more games before returning a week ago against New Jersey. Appearing happy and relieved to be back on the court, he has played now in four consecutive games heading into Wednesday night’s meeting with San Antonio at Bobcats Arena.

“Primoz is making progress,” said Bobcats General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff. “The one thing you know about Primoz is that he’s going to try. He might overdo it.”

Brezec, a 7-1 center from Slovenia with a strong work ethic and a passion for the game, made the most of his opportunity after being selected by the Bobcats in the 2004 expansion draft. After spending his first three NBA seasons primarily on the bench with a deep Indiana team, he filled a new role as a starting center in Charlotte.

The response – averages of 13.0 points, 51.2 percent shooting and 7.4 rebounds in 2004-05, 12.4 points, 51.7 percent shooting and 5.6 rebounds in 2005-06.

In three seasons with the Pacers, he appeared in a combined 62 games for an average 5.5 minutes per game. He played more games (72) in his first season alone with the Bobcats and, after appearing in 77 more last season, had a two-season average of 29.4 minutes per game.

Brezec was playing more and contributing more, and he loved it. But the additional time on the floor meant additional strain on his body. As he continued his demanding offseason routine, playing for the Slovenian national team, it began to take a toll.

This past summer was particularly tough. He was part of the Slovenia team that competed in the World Championships, going full tilt in late August and part of September.

After months of pushing himself, he didn’t have time for a break. Suddenly it was early October and he was in Wilmington with training camp and a new season about to begin. Brezec said it is a routine that may not be repeated, though he feels the tug of his country’s need to have him on the team.

“It’s kind of stressful, playing (in the summer),” he said. “We’re a small country. Everybody expects a lot from us, the five guys in the NBA. It’s a lot of pressure, playing like 20 games. I like to just go play and have fun…Our (Bobcats) season was over early, April 19, so I have no complaints. We haven’t been deep in the playoffs. Guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, they went to the NBA Finals and they played in the World Championships…

“But now I’ve got to start taking care of my body…I’ve got to take the summers to work on my game.”

Brezec used the early weeks of the season to rest and get his body ready to go again. But that didn’t mean he was immediately ready to return. He needed to adjust again to basketball conditioning, to getting up and down the court, and the schedule didn’t offer the Bobcats many opportunities to scrimmage.

“I’ve been working maybe before the games, doing some individual stuff, running, lifting weights, just trying to get back and help my team,” Brezec said two weeks ago. “I’m trying not to overdo it, but…I love to play.

“I’m just trying to get my legs back, to get into the flow of the game. At first I’ve had to earn that in practice. The coaches support me and have been great.”

Slowly but surely he got himself ready. His weight, down almost 20 pounds at one point from his usual 265, is now back to 260.

When he returned four games ago, he did so in a big way, with a 34-minute role in Charlotte’s 96-92 victory over the Nets. He scored 13 points, hit 5-8 shots from the field and gathered eight rebounds in that one. His playing time since has been more limited – 12 minutes at Atlanta, 15 at Washington and six Sunday against Detroit.

“He’s not (all the way) back,” Bickerstaff said. “But I think what he gives us are minutes that are effective because of his size, his understanding and the way he can shoot the basketball.”

As he looks now to find a groove and continue working himself back into the rotation, Brezec is just happy to be going again.

“It was tough sitting there watching, especially when you’re losing and you want to help,” he said. “It felt good getting back. It got my confidence up a little bit. And in the New Jersey game I felt pretty good (despite the 34-minute stint) because coach kept taking me in and out and giving me breaks.

“I’m getting better. Every day I’m gaining. It’s all about winning games, and that’s what I’m trying to do – to help my team win.”

Leonard Laye covered the NBA, ABA and college basketball for more than three decades for the Charlotte Observer and the old Charlotte News until his retirement from writing sports fulltime. He will write a regular column throughout the season for BobcatsBasketball.com for his second straight year.