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joec32033
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JEFFRIES OUT 3-8 WEEKS
By DAN MARTIN
October 17, 2006 -- It wouldn't be a Knick season without some bad news, and the team got its first bit yesterday - learning that small forward Jared Jeffries will be lost from three to eight weeks with a fractured left wrist.
Jeffries, a free-agent acquisition during the offseason, suffered the injury during the first half against the Nets on Friday, when he landed on his non-shooting hand after he was fouled.
The former Wizard continued to play, thinking it wasn't serious, but an MRI revealed a non-displaced fracture. Jeffries visited a hand specialist yesterday to determine the full extent of the injury.
"This was very unexpected," coach Isiah Thomas said yesterday after practice.
"I definitely didn't plan on him missing as much time as he's going to miss."
Jeffries was Thomas' biggest offseason move, and his absence deals a blow to the team's defensive presence. He had played well during preseason in his new uniform.
"That's the biggest thing we'll miss," Thomas said. "Every night you can put him out on a perimeter player and pretty much hold your own at that spot."
Jeffries joins last year's Free-agent signing, Jerome James, on the shelf, as James remains out indefinitely with plantar fasciatis after a horrific first season with the Knicks.
With Jeffries out, Quentin Richardson and Jalen Rose figure to be used more at small forward. Thomas conceded that both players would be used, but added that David Lee and rookie Renaldo Balkman also are in the mix.
For Richardson and Rose, however, Jeffries' injury could prove to be a new lease on life in New York. Richardson was thought to be possible trade bait, and Rose has barely seen the floor thus far in the preseason.
Jeffries, however, was confident he won't be out too long.
"I always heal fast," said Jeffries, who will be allowed to participate in some drills throughout his recovery.
And Jeffries is very familiar with coming back from injuries. Twenty games into his NBA career, he was lost for the season when he tore his right ACL when with Washington.
He said he was unaware if he would play with a cast when he returns this time.
"The most important thing is staying in condition," Jeffries said.
Meantime, it will fall to Jeffries' teammates to shoulder the defensive load, something they were not known for a year ago - part of the reason Thomas brought Jeffries here.
"We have guys who can do some of the things Jared is capable of doing, just not as well as he can do them," Thomas said. "He had a great camp and is definitely going to be a big factor in what we're trying to do defensively and offensively."
But since he is not known for his offense, it shouldn't take long for Jeffries to get back into form.
"That's the good thing," Thomas said.
*
Steve Francis missed yesterday's practice to take care of a personal matter. The Knicks host the Celtics tonight.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10172006/sports/knicks/wristy_business__jeffries_out_3_8_weeks_knicks_dan_martin.htm
~You can't run from who you are.~
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10/17/2006 7:55 AM
