<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> East Rutherford, NJ (December 3, 2004) - New Jersey Nets guard Zoran Planinic underwent successful hand surgery this afternoon, Thursday, December 2, 2004, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. The surgery was performed by Dr. Charles Melone at St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan. The surgery involved the insertion of three pins in the fifth metacarpal bone of the left hand. The pins will be removed in four to six weeks, after which time Planinic will begin his rehabilitation. There is no timetable for his return to the active roster. Planinic has played in 15 games this season, averaging 7.7 ppg and 1.9 apg. </div> Nypost.com ----------- It's great to know that the surgery was succesfull. He's been much better this season than last, and proved that he can start at the PG position if he has to. His passing, jump shot, and defense have all improved this season, and he is suddenly an important part of the team, unlike last season. Now that J-Kidd is back, though, we'll have to see how he'll react.
Anyway a tuff injury for us right now, because we still needed him to play decent minutes as Kidd probably would be limited at the start of his return and Ron Mercer is still a while off from returning. But anyway, once he comes back now I dont know what his role on this team will be this season, 2 months is a long time to be out. Kidd should be back to playing 35 minutes a game by that time with Travis Best probably earning the right to be his everyday backup. And Ron Mercer will probably be back into the mix at the 2-guard position backing up Richard Jefferson. So I dont know if him missing so much time will push him out of the backcourt rotation because once everybody is healthy there wont be that many minutes to go around, especially if this team starts to be successful with Kidd & Mercer back in the lineup. But his main focus needs to be getting healthy.
I agree it's tough. Planinic is better suited for the two gaurd position than the one. He's got range and his passing is exceptional for a shooting gaurd. He drives pretty well and could play off Kidd. Nets just can't cut any break right now.
