Dude....As Rick Camala would say on NBA TV "Buzz Kill!"

I was playing ball at a local gym after work. I had just walked into the gym and they were ready to start up the next game and I was "Next".

The game was ok but guys weren't running the court especially after I got the loose ball and took off down the court. So this happened twice and the 3rd time I got mad so instead of waiting for my team I take off on a break toward the basket.

Here's the break down before I tore the ACl:
I'm alone with 3 defenders ahead of me. I'm on the left side flying up the court dribbling with the left hand. I switch to my right to avoid a steal from a charging defender. I'm darting right now to bait a second defender to commiting. He's on me tight but I make a crossover move back to the left taking me to the middle of the foul line. The third defender was just standing there in the lane waiting to block/foul me. I went up to lay it up with the right hand and the guy jumped straight up to block the shot. I switched to my left hand and made the lay-up. Problem was my leg gave way on the landing and I knew I tore something.

It felt like I dislocated my knee. When I tried to walk.....man it felt like my leg could bend in all directions. There wasn't a piercing pain but it just felt like a wicked bruise....Like I jumped out a 2nd story window on my knee. Ouch!!!!

So I've been out of work since March 4th. I guess I'll be out for a month or maybe 2. Buzz kill indeed. City worker + minimal sick time = Time to start that Heroine business, lol.

I just thought you guys would get a good read out of this. I love basketball man. I guess now I know what it feels like when atheletes tear their knees up. It sucks but at least I went out like a soldier!!!!

Sorry to hear that Eny....Martin should be able to give you some good advice.

Geez Fish....it looks like you can keep your keys in there, lol.

How long were you out of work and when could you play sports again?

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by EnySpree:

I went up to lay it up with the right hand and the guy jumped straight up to block the shot. I switched to my left hand and made the lay-up.

that's what you get for thinking your jordan. good luck with rehab. maybe you can email allan houston for some tips on how NOT to rehab.

i'm coming out of retirement this year to play ball (on a 2 year hiatus right now). i got to drop 15 lbs and my target is memorial day weekend to bust out the allen iverson kicks from 2003!!!

I think it was because I haven't played in a week and I didn't stretch. I was flying top speed when I was going up the court. The crossover was really hard too.

I just gotta caution you on trying to do what you used to do. You gotta make your legs stronger first and take your time to see if your body is the same it used to be.

I'm only 25 so I wasn't sweating all that. I just got this thing where guys are not gonna stop me, out play me or teach me anything about the game of basketball. Wake up call bro....

enyspree, sorry to hear that man, rest easy.

TKF

It happened to me in April. I had the surgury in June and didnt play sports for a year. I was able to play (and did) the following spring.

I tore my ACL, paritally tore the MCL and tore the minescus as well. Before the injury I had wear and tear issues from football and racing motorcyles. Finally one day in the outfield it just snapped.

That pick is about 2-3 weeks after the knife. Rehab was GOD awfull. The first 2-3 days after the surgery was hell, but I'm 90% sure its because they f-ed up my medication. The had a box that dripped morphene right into the knee along with some blood thinner to prevent clots. The stuff made me sick. I didnt eat for 3 days and had to piss in a cup because I couldnt get off the couch (bless my wife).

After a few weeks it was more manageable. It was about 2-3 weeks with a crutch, and 4-6 weeks with a cane. I think after about 8 weeks I could walk normally for short distances. Rehab sucks because your sweating and groaning just to lift your leg. the worse is the scar tissue. I would be in rehab on the exercise bike and feel something litterally snap and it hurt so bad I would get a freakin hot flash. That was just the scar tissue breaking up.

My first year back I was about 70% and wore a heavy brace. Since then it is what it is. Best I can say is it works. I still get some swelling from time to time, and jogging is out of the question. I still play CF and my team plays about 25-30 games a year, and I play every inning as one of the core guys. The only time it sucks is at the end of a weekend tournment... something like 4 games in 2 days. But overall its managable. I never played much hoops but I was able to dunk before the surgury (I'm 6'4, not a big deal). I definatly dont have the great first step I had in the outfield. I can still fly once I get the motor running but I'm just not as quick as I was. Also I dont know if I could play hoops because the lateral movement is definatly hurt by it.

I still wear a light brace... but only when I play, not when I exercise or do other activities. It sucks... no way around it. My advice would just be to take the time to heal and really push yourself in the rehab. Dont overdo it by any means, but really stick to whatever program they give you, and most of all keep the weight off. In that pick I was about 190. I lifted alot to keep around 195-200. when I played football I was 205-210. Now I'm 185-190. The pounds makes a HUGE difference. Picture always walking around with a backpack thats got a 10 pound dumb bell in it. nuff said.

Sorry to hear about your injury. It takes time but the surgury works. Keep the top half in shape and as soon as you can get into the pool. Thats the one way you can keep your stamina without stressing the joint.

Good luck

keep the pastey white Irish guy jokes to yourself.
My low moment moment was we played a team from Phili that was all black guys and one yells "hey, they got Keith Van Horn playing center field!!"
Thank GOD I jacked one in my first at bat an finished 4-5 with 5 RBIs. Afterwards they told me they were short 2 guys for their 2nd game and asked me if I would play for them. I told them of course, but only if they call me Keith for the rest of the day. No joke. I still talk to one of them (this was 3 years ago).

I case anyone forgot, Crawford tore his ACL during his first or second year.

one thing: if you just tear your ACL its not as bad as I described. I essentially trashed my whole knee and there was extensive wear and tear from several sprains playing football and a motorcylce crash. If you tear your ACL only they can usually fix you with an orthoscopic surgery alone. One thing... if you have to have it replaced dont get one from a cadaver.

Every time I play my worst fear is im gonna tear something, especailly in my knee. Oh no im playing tonight, wouldnt it be ironic if I tore something tonight, OH GOD PLEASE NO. Anyway Good luck Eny on your rehab, I hope everything goes good.

I also just thought of something, wouldnt it be cool if everyone here from NYC/NJ area could meet up at a court in NYC and play some ball. It is March and the weather will be changing soon

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by NYK3:

Every time I play my worst fear is im gonna tear something, especailly in my knee. Oh no im playing tonight, wouldnt it be ironic if I tore something tonight, OH GOD PLEASE NO. Anyway Good luck Eny on your rehab, I hope everything goes good.

I also just thought of something, wouldnt it be cool if everyone here from NYC/NJ area could meet up at a court in NYC and play some ball. It is March and the weather will be changing soon

I would love that. That's what I'm concerned with. Some NBA players tear their ACL's and come back right away....They are playing ball in like 3 months. I hope something like that happens for me. 1-2 months out then back to work at least.

If you guys do it I will definately be there. I just will be there to watch and kick back.
Riverside Park has a really nice part that no one is really up on I think it's in the high 60's or 70's. It's under a highway right near the Hudson. It's an awesome part and no one plays there. I descovered it 2 years ago and there is never more than 10 guys there. It's a cool place in the hot summer. That is the perfect spot to do something like this.
[Edited by - enyspree on 03/09/2005 12:14:15]

Sorry to hear about your injuries fish and enyspree,I was fortunate enough not to hurt my knee but I had a severe sprain and ligament tears(ankle) that put me on crutches for 3 months and a cane for one so I have some idea what you are going through.

Unfortunately they told me it wouldnt have been as bad if I had broken it.I ended up missing the NYC hoop it up where my team(without me) won their division.Man was I POd.

My advice Eny is to try and stay positive,take calcium with vitamin D and buy an aircast for your knee to help cool it down when you start putting weight on it.

Funny you should mention Riverside park.I used to play at Riverside and 76th street(where I got hurt).Havent been there in about 10 years but when I was there the place was rocking on the weekends and you could get into some very competitive games(3 on 3) and they have a small fullcourt.

I would go around saturday or sunday morning.When I was playing there(lived across the street)you would see 50-75 people at least on the weekends.I used to run fulls there with that all-time Knick great Pat Cummings

BTW dont try to do too much too soon!


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Look familiar?

[Edited by - kwazimodal on 03/09/2005 13:35:29]