Breaking News: Shawn Marion Video and More Knee Surgery for Amare?

by TexSUN on Oct 1, 2007 6:35 PM MDT in Suns News Comment 25 comments

I will write some more thoughts about media day tomorrow evening, assuming the replay is available on Suns.com by then. In the meantime, here's a clip of Shawn Marion that was posted on AZCentral. It's not exactly encouraging (i.e., it doesn't sound like he's regretting his trade request at all), and he's clearly tired of talking about it towards the end. But he's also standing by his "I'm going to play as hard as I can" statement too. It's unfortunate that whoever made this video didn't include the questions that were asked--it makes it kind of hard to gage a response when you don't know the "tone" of the person asking the question. But there's enough that anyone hoping for a full-fledged mea culpa will likely be a little disappointed.

On far more disconcerting news, East Valley Tribune is reporting that Amare Stoudemire is having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The details are very vague, and this has come so much out of the blue, I'm not even sure how to comment on it except to say that I was kidding when I quipped about jinxing things in this morning's post. Here are the exact words describing the surgery in the EVT article:

"Team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Carter will perform the surgery to remove a loose body. Carter performed microfracture surgery on Stoudemire's left knee in October, 2005. The 24-year-old Stoudemire will miss two to three weeks and the Suns said he is expected to have a full recovery."

I even double-checked the date to make sure this wasn't an accidentally-recycled article from two years ago. Doesn't appear to be, but I haven't seen the news anywhere else so far. Let's hope this doesn't turn out to be anything major. I'm still recovering from last week's fiasco, as I'm sure are most of the fans reading this. I'll write more once we know more. For now, I guess, just think good thoughts.

Update: There is now an AZCentral article about Amare's "scope" (that's what they're calling it). A few more details in that one (mostly about his history of knee issues), but the details on the surgery sound similar:

"There is an expectation that it will be a simple procedure to remove a "loose body" and that he would only miss two to three weeks but a scope can also reveal more than a MRI does."

Update #2: The Media Day video is on Suns.com now. Unfortunately, I have another obligation this evening, and it is now too late for me to watch a 90-minute video let alone comment on it, so I will watch it after work tomorrow and post my thoughts then. There is also an official announcement about Amare's surgery on Suns.com as well. He's having it tomorrow. Like I said: Think good thoughts.

0 recs | Comment 25 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

awwww crap

AGAIN... Amare doesn't like coming to Tucson I guess =\

by whatisboxhappening on Oct 1, 2007 7:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

You Did Jinx It

This is bad. It cannot be a simple "scope" -- Murphy will not allow it.

We're screwed. At least we have Marion to slide over to the 5-spot.

I just wasted my $10 in Vegas.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Oct 1, 2007 8:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

I'm not sure if I jinxed us or if this did. Anyway, until we hear otherwise, it's "just a scope". We'll see.

by TexSUN on Oct 1, 2007 9:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

From SI.com - Not Bad...

Source - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/10/01/suns.amare.ap/index.html

PHOENIX (AP) -- Suns forward Amare Stoudemire will undergo minor arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday but is expected to be sidelined only two to three weeks.

The operation to remove a loose particle will be on the All-Star's right knee, not the left on which microfracture surgery was done two years ago. That operation forced him to miss virtually all of the 2005-06 season.

"It's a procedure that Raja (Bell) just went through just to clean it up," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We have time to do it so we thought let's go ahead and get it done."

Team orthopedic surgeon Thomas Carter will perform the operation.

There was no mention of the impending surgery, by Stoudemire or anyone else, during the team's media day gathering on Monday. The plans were revealed in a news release issued by the team Monday evening.

The Suns, without Stoudemire, traveled by bus Monday to Tucson, where they begin a six-day training camp on Tuesday at the University of Arizona's McKale Center.

Stoudemire had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee while recovering from the microfracture procedure.

He was named first team all-NBA last season after averaging 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds.

"I am not a role model. A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?" - Charles Barkley

by kcbrett5 on Oct 1, 2007 8:47 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Very Bad

Oden had an exploratory scope, and look what happened. Don't let anyone fool you -- we're talking about the Suns here. It's bad.

Everyone, stop saying it'll be okay before you guys jinx it even worse. If you all keep this up, everyone on the squad (except Nash) is going to have knee surgery before the start of the season.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Oct 1, 2007 8:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

All right, it sucks.

This will definitely be a career-ending thing for Stat. Talk about bad luck.

Now the Front Office is strapped with having to pay Stoudemire all that money -- without that much room under the cap -- while dealing with the head-case Matrix.

We're gonna finish last in the Pacific Division this season.

The sky is falling.

How's that?

"I am not a role model. A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?" - Charles Barkley

by kcbrett5 on Oct 2, 2007 7:31 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The latest

EVT has expanded their article a bit to include this:

Stoudemire, who played all 82 regular season games last season - earning first team All-NBA honors and putting to rest concerns over his left knee - and spent a trouble-free summer playing for Team USA in the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas. But while playing pickup games with his teammates last Tuesday, he experienced some discomfort and swelling in the knee. An MRI of the knee was taken on Sunday and the results Monday revealed the problem and the decision was made to have the surgery quickly so Stoudemire could get back on the court quickly.

So two thoughts....

Maybe all those voluntary workouts weren't such a great thing after all.
At least this wasn't something that had been bothering him for months the way AZCentral inadvertently made it sound. That was going to really tick me off.

by TexSUN on Oct 1, 2007 9:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Divine Intervention

Man! I think I'll need to bust out my rosary for this one and hit up a novena(its not praying for a good season, but for Amare's health,.....which will lead to a good season). With all the wild and crazy stuff going on this offseason maybe we need a little divine intervention to balance out all the bad crap we've been recieving. If you're not religious that's cool (I'm not totally committed myself all the time). If you're not sure about your beliefs, I say sacrifice something for the sake of this team (not something living that will get you busted by the cops and PETA) ;-)

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Oct 1, 2007 10:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Bring Me a Live Chicken!

Perhaps we can get Pedro Cerrano to do some voodoo for the team.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Oct 1, 2007 10:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Voodoo Basketball

Or we could just go voodoo on the leauge's ass. Get a lock of Ginobli's hair, a nail from Kobe's finger, LeBron's headband, Nowitzki's Hasselhoff CDs and see what happens....

If ya can't jump 'em out, then box 'em out!

by PurplePinoy on Oct 1, 2007 11:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

More news from EVT

Here's some more news in the latest iteration of the EVT article:

But Suns general manager Steve Kerr said results from an MRI taken Sunday clearly showed what the problem is -- and the team is confident Stoudemire with miss just two to three weeks and has a good shot at being ready for the Nov. 1 season opener at Seattle.

"The pictures are totally different this time. It's obvious to anyone who looks at the pictures what is causing the inflammation and what needs to be done," Kerr said. "He is confident that this will be a routine procedure and given Amaré's age and great condition that he will bounce back very quickly.

by TexSUN on Oct 2, 2007 12:35 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

When did Kerr go to medical school?

How does he know the "obvious" differences? This is smoke. How come the doctor doesn't say that? I know U of A has a good medical school, but Kerr only played ball there.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Oct 2, 2007 8:08 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

I felt the gut-punch feeling in my stomach when I heard this yesterday as well. But why is it that everyone automatically thinks the worst of the team? Have you ever had to go into the doctor to get x-rays and then have him show you exactly what is wrong with the x-ray and what they're going to do to fix it?

I have. And once the doctor pointed out the problem, it really was easy to see. So just because Kerr is saying it is obvious to see doesn't mean he's blowing smoke. It means the doctors pointed out the problem to him and when he was asked, he answered the question!

(Of course, I'm going to look pretty silly if the team comes out with a press release saying "Amare Stoudemire out for season with second microfracture surgery" press release today...

by baller on Oct 2, 2007 9:20 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

I agree that it isn't a problem until it's a problem. But I think the pessimism around here is probably a combination of sports fan's "post-traumatic stress disorder" from the last time Amare went in for a "simple scope" right before training camp, coupled with the weird way the Suns went about releasing the news. I know they probably just didn't want to ruin media day (and with the Marion stink-bomb already creating enough of a distraction I can't blame them), but the "hush-hush" approach always raises suspicion, even when there's really nothing to hide.

by TexSUN on Oct 2, 2007 9:30 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

on amare....

The operation / scope is today, does that mean later today or tomorrow we'll most likely hear about the results, if so, at least we don't have to wait weeks for more info. Did Amare have micro on both knees, the second one after the failed first comeback, or was the second knee just something else (not a second micro)?

I'm betting Amare is ok, I think we need to be optimistic,

I've said this before, and I'll continue saying it off and on until it happens, if a player gets injured and misses the season, he should get $2 million or something, but no more. All contracts should have something like this, then maybe more players would work on their weaknesses in their body instead of not caring because their contract is a lock. This would then enable a team to at least have a chance to get a replacement instead of throwing away a season!

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 2, 2007 10:01 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just one micro

The other surgery was a bit more involved variety of the one he's having today--removing debris and in that case, a cyst too. But only the left knee has microfracture.

I'm not sure I agree on the contact reduction for injured players. On one hand, I get your point that it might encourage players to work on their bodies, but it also might encourage players to lighten up on their games too if they knew they risked losing a sizable chunk of their paycheck in the event of an injury. I don't think we want players afraid to take a charge or dive on the floor for a loose ball out of fear of being injured do we?

by TexSUN on Oct 2, 2007 10:17 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

you make a good point

Maybe a compromise

Like an nba injuried players salary compensation, just an example, a player misses an entire season, and his salary was $15 million, maybe the team pays for 50% and the league injuried players pays for the other 50%. But after so much money per team or player, that changes. If a player gets over $20 million, that number changes, etc etc.

A better compromise? That way a team can still get someone with the money no spent 50%, and players can still feel like they can play all out and still get their money. Maybe, these injured players have to do 1000 hours of community work for the nba. And a percentage of the money they earn that way, goes to help pay the nba injured salary thing, and the rest goes to charity as normal...

Your thoughts?

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 2, 2007 10:26 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, just to lighten the mood around here...

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/8018

by TexSUN on Oct 2, 2007 12:36 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of lightening the mood, check this out.

Apparently, da ballers on the city by the bay -- a.k.a., the Golden State Warriors -- needed additional roster space to pluck some splinters... because they just signed the outspoken Pat Burke, LOL!!!

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=280715

"I am not a role model. A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?" - Charles Barkley

by kcbrett5 on Oct 2, 2007 7:29 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Pat better keep him mouth shut

about the Sun's. This is a smart move for the GSW's to pluck a former Sun and get some insider info...

by Phoenix Stan on Oct 2, 2007 8:30 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pat's Got Nothing

According to him, the coaches didn't pay any attention to the scrubs. That's why he couldn't produce in Game 5 (not the slow feet, aging body, lack of a shot and no vertical left in thos old, Irish legs). You gotta envy him, though. He's making close to a million a year, playing ball and going to training camp in Hawaii. Plus, he's Irish.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Oct 2, 2007 9:43 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Afternoon of Doom

I suppose we'll find out later today whether Planet Orange will have one less inhabitant.

Part of the depression is just that the fans can't seem to get a break. We try to get past Marion and this happens.

And make no mistake about it, even if this is small (according to Dr. Kerr), it does evidence knee problems and may foretel arthritis, tendonitis, etc. Therefore, it means Amare will not likely be playing until his mid-thirties. The secondary window (the window after Nash retires) just got smaller.

Mmmmm ... Guinness

by JSun on Oct 2, 2007 9:46 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Dr. Kerr

Well, like the wise man (or woman) said above, just because Steve Kerr doesn't have a medical degree doesn't mean he can't spot a "loose particle" on an MRI with a real doctor pointing it out to him. After all, any layman can spot a broken leg on an X-Ray, maybe this is the same way. But it certainly seems like we've had our share of icky news this week. Maybe we're just getting all the bad stuff out of the way early this time instead of saving it all up for the playoffs. Who knows...

by TexSUN on Oct 2, 2007 9:56 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

seems more like a 2 yr continuation for me

Running out of steam 2 yrs ago and joe johnson injury

refs/suspensions/etc last year

marion..

now this...

I'd definitely call a continuation on this one...

by jasonsuns1 on Oct 2, 2007 10:04 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right but...

Aside from Amare's microfracture at the beginning of the season in 2005, it seems like most of the Suns' worst news happens during the playoffs wouldn't you agree? They get through an entire regular season without taking a huge hit only to have something screw-bally happen in the playoffs. Maybe we're just getting it over with early this year...

by TexSUN on Oct 2, 2007 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs