Weekly Report: Awards and Injury Updates
Redd Returns
Michael Redd returned to action Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs. Although the Ohio State alum played very limited minutes, and the Bucks went on to lose against the Spurs, Redd and the Bucks were encouraged to see him out there.
After playing a few games early in the season, the Bucks have gone 7-2 without Redd in the line-up. In that time, Brandon Jennings has really emerged and Luke Ridnour has filled in nicely playing opposite Jennings in the backcourt.
Coming back off a major surgery last season and another injury this year, the Bucks and Redd seem content with bringing him back slowly. This will work two-fold in that they will seek to avoid re-aggravating his injuries but also in order to avoid upsetting the balance and chemistry that has allowed for the Bucks to experience the success they have thus far in this young NBA season.
Jaw Dropping
76ers point guard Louis Williams underwent surgery earlier this week to have his jaw wired and will be shelved for 6-8 weeks with the injury. Early in the first quarter of Tuesday’s contest against the Washington Wizards, Williams collided with Wizards’ forward Antawn Jamison. Needless to say, Williams clearly got the raw end of the deal in the collision.
“I was spitting out blood every timeout, but I thought it was my tooth, so I didn’t think it was as serious as it was,” said Williams. “I just continued to play, and there wasn’t a lot of pain involved because I was playing on adrenaline, obviously. But I knew something was wrong, just not to this magnitude.”
Although the Sixers have failed to release a specific timetable on the young point guard’s return, according to sources and experts on the subject matter, a typical injury of this ‘magnitude’ takes in the neighborhood of 6-8 weeks to recover from. For the time being, UCLA rookie Jrue Holiday will assume the starting role for 76ers.
One Gordon Up, One Gordon Down
As one Gordon went down another got back healthy this past week around the league. First-year Piston Ben Gordon went down hard with a sprained left ankle during Wednesday night’s game. While he is listed day-to-day, he did not play in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers the game following the incident.
As stated previously, as one goes down another rises up and second-year guard and former Indiana Hoosier Eric Gordon made his return to the hardwood against the Detroit Pistons this past week. Eric had been out since November 7 due to a sprained groin. While he was on the active roster for Monday’s match-up against the Timberwolves, he was held out until the Pistons game where he made his return.
This Past Week:
Individual Stat of the Week: 140:12 / 144:00 (How many minutes Monta Ellis played in three games)
Game of the Week: Magic vs. (Heat Thanksgiving)
Individual Performance of the Week: Monta Ellis leading a 6-man roster to a road win over DAL
Statline of the Week: Greg Oden vs. Chicago Raptors (Monday)
24 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assists and 2 blocks in less than 27 minutes of play (if this guy ever learns to hold his fouls in check, it’s going to be crazy)
Best Video of the Week
The Week Ahead
Best Game No One is Talking About: Charlotte Bobcats vs. New Jersey Nets (Friday)
The Bobcats have been playing well since the arrival of Stephen Jackson but will be playing an inspired New Jersey Nets team on the road. The Nets are still looking for that first W and this match-up could be the end of their horrendous streak.
One-on-one Match-up of the Week: Derrick Rose vs. Brandon Jennings (Monday)
Two of the very best young point guards in the league will good head-to-head on Monday. The league can only hope this duo turns into a D-Will vs. CP3 rival in the future.
Upset Alert: Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Friday)
The Celtics will be coming off the back-end against a very good San Antonio Spurs squad. The Thunder are young, talented, and so far this season they have been no stranger to giving the giants a run for their money.
Offensive Struggle: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Wednesday)
Tough days ahead for Memphis and Minnesota. After a Thanksgiving holiday, I can truly say I’m thankful for living in Texas when it comes to following pro basketball.
Offensive Horse Race: Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks (Tuesday)
Quick, name me on defensive minded player on either of these teams. Oh wait……
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