The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest, V14 #229

[Eggcentric at aol.com]

< If I am reading this correctly, you argue that Jefferson could have come
back following his most recent severe ankle sprain in time to play the final
12 games of the season... roughly 4 to 6 weeks after the injury.
How close am I? > - Jon Duke

Depends on who or what you want to believe.   I've just simply stated 
a few facts as they were told to me.   The team obviously did not feel 
Jeff's Feb. 3 ankle sprain was serious enough to keep him out of 
the lineup for much more than a few weeks. 

     Feb. 7 - "There was nothing new on the status of Al Jefferson, 
     who is expected to miss at least two weeks with a sprained 
     right ankle."  - Boston Globe

To further demonstrate just how much of a hypochondriac the team
felt Jeff was, note Doc River's comment comparing Jeff and Perk’s
injuries.     

     Feb 16 - '"I think Al will come back before Perk, honestly," 
     said Rivers. ''Each day is different with them. One day is one guy 
     [closer to coming back]. The other day is the other guy. With 
     Perk's shoulder, I can tell you we're going to be far more cautious 
     than with Al's ankle. With a shoulder, you have to be very careful. 
     You have to worry about future shoulder injuries and that's a 
     reason you would hold [Perkins] back a little longer. It would be 
     great to see them that trip." - Boston Globe

After missing nine games, Jeff returned on March 1, played poorly,
and was benched again on March 22 following five games in which he 
averaged 3.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. 

< So if Al was being a bit on the wimpy side, why is it that he seemingly
worked his arse off (folks who saw Jefferson in June said the kid had 
never been in better shape) if he still believed he was injured? > 
- Jon Duke

As I recall Jeff returned to Waltham in May and worked off 14 
pounds through diet and exercise... not through lively put-the-
ankle-on-the-line scrimmages against worthy opponents.   
Beyond that, I don't quite understand your question since I
assume that Jeff felt he was injured throughout the entire period. 
For all I know, maybe he still will, especially every time he misses 
a shot, is caught out of position on defense, is bested by Gomes 
in practice, etc.   

Egg