Philadelphia Daily News Chris Webber hears the reports that Phoenix Suns star Amare Stoudemire will be back from microfracture knee surgery in 4 months, and hopes, for Stoudemire's sake, that the reports are accurate rather than merely flush with optimism. Forgive Webber, though, for his gnawing sense of skepticism. The 76ers forward underwent a similar procedure, coupled with a repair of a torn meniscus in the same knee, more than 2 years ago. Even though he came back to play for the Sacramento Kings in 8 months, he admitted yesterday that only recently has he begun to really feel like himself again. He has missed the first three preseason games, and is expected to remain out tomorrow night in New York because of a thigh bruise, not because of any residual problems with the knee. Webber's first inclination, when asked about Stoudemire, was to say, "He's not going to be back in 4 months." But he knows Stoudemire will try. And he sincerely hopes that's the timeline. "I talked to my doctor about it, and [he said] maybe it's the degree of [the injury]," Webber said after practice yesterday at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. "The one thing I am saddened about is, he's having it at such a young age. When I had it, I knew I had 5 years left [to play]. If I had had 10 years left, I would probably have had to have that surgery again. "I feel bad for him, because I know what he's going to go through. Ask Penny Hardaway; ask Jamal Mashburn. I hope it's not a serious microfracture." Webber was 30 when he went down during the 2002-03 playoffs. Stoudemire will turn 23 next month. By all accounts, the size of the lesion on Stoudemire's left knee is nominal, the location is one that is less weight-bearing than Webber's, and the rest of the knee is normal. The surgery, done via an arthroscope, generates a type of cartilage to serve as a cushion for the knee, preventing a bone-on-bone situation. The cushioning material can begin to deteriorate in 3 to 5 years. The injury ended the career of Mashburn, the forward who is on the Sixers' roster but will retire. There is a long list of pro athletes who have undergone the procedure, with mixed results. Former Suns and Kings star Kevin John-son came back and performed at a high level; Terrell Brandon did not. New Jersey's Jason Kidd is back at an All-Star level; New York's Allan Houston is struggling. Others have included Toronto's Alvin Williams, Portland's Zach Randolph and Utah's Matt Harpring, plus NFL stars such as Bruce Smith and Stephen Davis. Source
