"Custodian's" Rehab Not Going as Planned Commercial Appeal The Grizzlies orchestrated major changes before the start of training camp, but there has been a glaring and unexpected omission from the active roster. Forward Brian Cardinal could miss the entire training camp at this rate. Hitches during rehabilitation of his surgically repaired left knee may prevent Cardinal from being ready to play when the regular-season begins in 21/2 weeks. "Will I be back by the end of camp? Shoot, I can barely run," Cardinal said last week as the Griz began their exhibition schedule. "Who knows? I just look forward to the day I'm healthy." The Griz regard Cardinal's status as week-to-week. By the end of last week, there was nothing new to report about his progress. "Not really," Cardinal said. "I've got a whole lot of nothing for you. I wish I did have something to report." Griz coach Mike Fratello has been sympathetic and patient. "So many guys wait and wait and they wait too long (to have surgery), and they miss the whole training camp," Fratello said. "Brian did it right away for that specific reason -- to be back and ready for training camp. And this was not a major, major thing. This was just a cleaning up of scar tissue." Frustrating doesn't begin to sum up Cardinal's experience since May 17 when he underwent what was billed as routine arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Dr. Fred Azar performed the surgery at the Campbell Clinic roughly two weeks after the Griz were eliminated from the playoffs by Phoenix. Cardinal endured soreness in the knee during the Grizzlies' 2004 training camp and throughout the regular season. Surgery would have ended Cardinal's season before it began in Memphis. So he chose to put off the procedure until the off-season because of the two- to three-month rehabilitation schedule. It's been five months, and hardly anyone seems certain when Cardinal can resume playing basketball. "I have no idea in all honesty," Fratello said, adding that Cardinal's absence has forced him to ditch Hakim Warrick's experiment at small forward and play the rookie at power forward. Cardinal speaks of his rehabilitation as gingerly as he walks these days. "I spent all summer trying to rehab and get it right," he said. "(The knee) just hasn't cooperated with us. It's been a difficult process. ... We did a lot of things right. I just don't think my knee has been up to the challenge of being rehabilitated in a quick time." Riding a stationary bike, exercising in a pool and receiving various stimulus treatments describe the extent of Cardinal's individual workouts. He's remained around the team and receives some sort of consolation from the camaraderie. "Two-a-days aren't fun to be a part of but at the same time it's a shame I've got to miss it because I just enjoy playing," Cardinal said. "I wish I was healthy and I just look forward to the day that I am. It's been a long time -- since Game 4 against Phoenix." Source
