Sometimes injuries can be a perfect time for players to show what they got and can bring the team together... Then Olshey signs them too a super inflated deal and we have a crippling contract that’s hard to get rid of.
The same people who wanted CJ gone are now freaking out that his absence will be the excuse needed to keep Stotts around. Keep whipping yourselves up into that frenzy.
Perhaps not purposefully, but last year they got as high (low) as 1/2 a game out of the #5 Lottery slot WITH a healthy Dame/CJ. They were what, 8 games under .500 before the bubble? Right, they aren't tanking, but are just barely enough above a tanking level to ensure they don't get a good Draft pick. Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war. Sometimes the bigger picture is served by resupplying, regrouping, and attacking in a different vein. "The General who advances without coveting fame and who retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom." The Art of War, by Sun Tzu
The conversation in postgame interviews from Dame et al reference our team getting back healthy after the team returns from break. Our first game after break is March 11 against Phoenix at home. That puts CJ at 7 weeks post fracture. On Feb 16, the team said: McCollum, who was examined today by team medical personnel, will no longer be required to wear a walking boot and will advance to the next stage of his rehabilitation. He will be reevaluated again in two weeks. Further updates will be provided as appropriate. So that puts his evaluation today. Hope for good news. Team need him back with how banged up Dame looks.
The team needs him back, but he needs to come back when he's ready and able. Don't need to risk him re-injurying himself.
Both Casey and Brooke on their podcast this week said they are expecting CJ to be back the first game after break. They sounded so sure of it. They anticipate a minutes restriction to start off, but they talked about it as if a foregone conclusion.
We'll see if it makes us so much better that it justifies his contract and position as the number two guy on the team. That being said, I hope it makes us a ton better. I hope I'm wrong about him, Nurk and Stotts. I hope they along with the team that has been holding down the fort will go on a big run in the second half and take us further in the playoffs than we've been since Dame's been here... I hope.
