nbaculture

The Phoenix Suns, who were really rolling, will lose Amare Stoudemire for at least 8 weeks.  Stoudemire underwent surgery for a detached retina, and the Sun’s are doing the humane thing and being very conservative about his comeback.

“We’re going to be ultraconservative with this and if means he misses the remainder of the season, so be it…  He’s got a long career and a long life ahead of him. And that’s the most important thing.” Stated Sun’s GM Steve Kerr.

Coach Rick Adelman sat down for his morning coffee and threw up a little in his mouth when he read in the newspaper that Tracy McGrady will have season ending microscopic knee surgery.  Well, I’m not sure if that’s what happened, but coach sure did let McGrady hear about it during practice.

“There should be a protocol, there should be a procedure where we have a chance to sit down and talk about the situation and not be announced in the press…I don’t know why that happened, why he did that. Certainly, that is not the way things should be handled” Adelman stated.

I gotta agree with coach on this one.  After being a real disappointment after being acquired in 2004, McGrady’s statistics have dropped every year while his injuries and game’s missed increased every year.  I understand if you gotta miss the season, it’s quite disappointing but a man’s health comes first, but if you’re gonna leave for season ending surgery, shouldn’t you let your team or coach know about it before the press?  That’s just manners, and his disregard for his team is quite disrespectful.  How disappointing for Houston, but the plus side is that next year is McGrady’s last year, which opens a couple of options for Houston: trade an expring contract for some good pieces, or just wait it out and pick up something nice in that coveted 2010 free agent pool.  Either way, McGrady is done in Houston, at least they traded for Artest earlier (who has won a playoff series btw).

Replacements: Ray Allen is expected to fill in for Jameer Nelson in the All-Star game, while Tyronn Lue is expected to fill in for Jameer Nelson on his actual team, the Orlando Magic.

Out for season: Elton Brand is scheduled to miss the season with a shoulder injury, while the Bucks will now lose Bogut after losing Redd (fantasy basketball note: think about picking up Charlie Villanueva or Richard Jefferson or Ramon Sessions if you haven’t already done so).

Comebacks: Garnett is expected to be back for the Laker game, and Chris Bosh is doubtful for the Hornet game.

Jameer Nelson tore the labrum in his right shoulder, and may be out for the rest of the season.  This is a big hit to Orlando, as Nelson was playing career ball and notably voted to the All-Star game over Mo Williams.  Although he says his spirits are high, he doesn’t have a timetable and no tangible reason outside of just faith that he will be back in the line-up.

Many Laker fans have held their collective breath, as Bynum was set to get MRI’s on his knee on superbowl sunday.  The results should be in sometime today, but things becoming a little too similar for comfort.  Of course, the rest of the league can see this as an oppotunity to take initiative, and possibly command of the league.  Worst case scenario for the Lakers, Bynum will be out for the rest of the year, Lamar Odom will move back into the starting line-up, the Lakers will continue to win and get at least 3rd seed in the West, progress to at least the second round, and then we shall see (of course even that was a little optimistic).

Bynum injured his knee when Kobe Bryant fell back onto it during their Memphis game, immediately bringing back bad memories for every Laker.