Or hell... lets just say he kept growing them out.. yet was still injured next year.. this is what he would look like at games.
Or what if in the midst of him growing the dreads out he signed with the Lakers!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!?!?! This could get ugly folks!
http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/feb/09/batum-earns-first-start-of-season/ the initial guestimates put recovery 6-12 months or December at the latest, but reports are that rehab has been going very well and training camp is now the likely target. Only Canzano types stirring the hysteria pot speculated that his career might be over. STOMP
Cedric Ceballos, Antonio McDyess, Glen Rice, and Damon Stoudemire all had their careers ended or severely limited by the same injury. Before McDyess ruptured his patella tendon he was an all-star PF. Afterwards he got traded to the Knicks and took years to return to the court. He has been permanently reduced to just a competent backup big man. If Pryz has a similar decline, he'll go from being a competent backup big man to out of the league.
This is my big concern too ... It's not like Joel was ever a high flier, or supreme athlete, but take what little athleticism he has away (or diminish it) and I start to wonder just how effective he'll be going forward. Whatever happens with Greg, Camby, and Pryz, I suspect the Blazers will be looking long and hard at some of the centers that are potentially available in the middle part of the first round in this year's draft.
Since 4 posters replied and said I was overreacting in suggesting Pryzbilla's career could possibly be over, why don't you provide ONE example of a NBA player rupturing their patella tendon and returning to pre-injury form? I listed Ceballos, Damon, Rice and McDyess in my previous post of players who could not. The initial post I responded to suggested Pryzbilla could be healthy THIS season! There is no chance that will happen. I'm hoping Pryz can return to his pre-injury form, but looking at his past level of production and historical drop off of players with a similar injury I'm not going to automatically assume a full return is something he can easily achieve. That is why I'm also interested in resigning Camby, we don't know what level Pryz will return to next season. I'd rather have an extra competent big man if we don't need it then be missing one if we do.
I suggested no such thing, but if you're into suggestions, I suggest you look up the definition of "miraculously."
Damon played another 2 years after his injury. McDyess is still playing. Cedric and Glen were also injured what, a decade or so ago? Things have improved since then.
Who said anything about pre-injury form?? You said it's possible he would have to retire. Of the players you listed, how many of them actually retired on the spot, because of the injury? Ceballos didn't retire, and actually continued to play a couple more years after the fact. His game was more dependent on athleticism than Joel's is. Cedrics injury was also almost 14 years ago too. Rice was in his mid 30's (and more dependent on athleticism) when he got hurt, and he was hurt 9 years ago. Things have improved just a tad since then. I could understand if Joel depended on his jumping, or quick feet, but he doesn't. He might be a little slower, and his averages might go down, but we don't expect Joel to be a double double guy after this (or even before it). Cedric is probably the closest you could argue about it shortening a career. Damon was old, Rice was old, and McDyess has continued playing (not at the same level though). Joel is a journeyman center, who we hope gets 15-20 minutes a night, maybe for 65-75 games a year.
sorry that I didn't read through the whole thread when I decided to respond to your overly dire forecast on Joel. This time I have and see that the same posters I unknowingly agreed with before have already answered most of the questions you've listed here. The salary and luxury tax lines will be coming way down according to the early bean counting. I'd guess though that even at 36 next season, Camby will generate full MLE level offers probably for 2-3 years. Coming off a serious injury I'm doubtful Joel opts out to be a FA in these financial times with his biggest yearly salary ever for next year (7.4M) as his option. Not only is it questionable if Portland would want to lay down that sort of $ for a 3rd center, but Camby might well want a more prominent role. Of course if he generates several offers as a UFA, he gets to choose which one to sign. he's definitely a good player and I'm happy to have him, but the tea leaves seem to read that it's unlikely that he'll be back. STOMP
