Here's another article that discusses the effects of an achilles injury and references the same report from Drexel University: http://regressing.deadspin.com/how-...-nba-players-or-why-kobe-472944871/1453959464 I'm certainly rooting for Wes to come back strong. If anyone can do it, Ironman can. And I hope the Blazer go after him hard. But at some point we have to acknowledge that this injury will definitely have an effect on his game. If a team throws crazy money at him, is that money better spend somewhere else? This injury definitely becomes a factor.
I hate to cherry pick from this long article, but here goes: "On a per 40-minute basis, "athletic" stats like blocks, rebounds, and steals actually held steady post-injury. The same is true for field goal and free throw shooting percentages. "
This is a great point. But some of it is a bit skewed. Blocks and rebound numbers would be less affected in Bigs. I imagine if you looked at results filtered by position you would find that guards suffered in those categories because of what is required to get them. However, Wes could be the best 3 point floor spreader in the NBA, and that is worth a lot in today's league.
Didn't read article. How did the change in stats compare to players of the same age who didn't have the injury?
Here's another link that references the same Drexel University study. It has a bit more detail: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/27/us-nba-retire-achilles-tear-idUSBRE95Q0ZC20130627 Additional info: This article does note that surgical techniques continue to improve....
According to Wes, the rehab approach has changed more than the surgery itself. They now believe you should not keep the foot immobile as long as they used to.
i jus thope wes doesnt rush things, i guess the doctors have the final say on everything etc but if the next pic we see is of him dunking n shit , i think we need to chill a little. also good to see Nic. Look, I was as dark on him last season as the next guy, but it's just a fucking cock-tease with his play - sometimes he looks head n shoulders above anyone else on the court - but most of the time its, where the fuck is he and why are we paying him so much to do so little. argh
somehow you skimmed over what you quoted me on about an athlete who suffered an achilles tear being back to former ability "within 2 years". Your fantasy hoops article talks about a dip in production the following year and sites all sorts of guys who suffered the injury at the finish line of their careers (& scrubs like Dickau), but doesn't touch the longterm prognosis for a younger athlete like Wes. It typically takes a year for the achilles to repair, but then the athlete isn't in nearly the sort of shape they once were and that doesn't come back overnight. Jonas Jerebko is putting up the best stats of his career now a couple years removed from his injury. 49ers TE Vernon Davis returned from his to be the fastest TE in the NFL and made All Pro for the 1st time. Dominique... In all likelyhood, Wes will see a dip next season, but will be back to 100% the following year. STOMP
