The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest, V14 #229

[Jon Duke]

Egg

If we assume there was no structural damage to his ankle (meaning no bone
chips, etc) then it is difficult for anyone to understand how he could have
missed that much time.  I agree that there were those in the Celtics
organization who could not understand why Jefferson hadn't bounced back
sooner. But, the fact that arthroscopic surgery was involved and that there
were reports of bone chips being removed from his ankle seem to discount
those claims. Doctors and teams don't do random surgeries for fun... there
are too many variables and can make a multi-million dollar player worthless
in the blink of an eye. As you said, it depends on who or what you want to
believe.

Everything that I've read on the topic indicated that Jefferson was playing
through pain in workouts near the end of the season and continuing until the
Vegas Summer League began. These workouts intensified once Ray came on board
and resulted in the 14 pound loss you mentioned. I guess, as you said, it is
a difficult question to answer because I'm not sure how a headcase like this
can workout so hard and long if seemingly nothing had changed with his
physical condition.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf
Of Eggcentric at aol.com
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 9:09 AM
To: celtics at igtc.com
Subject: Re: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Digest, V14 #229

< 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
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