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EwingsGlass
Posts: 27833
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 4/29/2005
Member: #893
USA
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Posted by djsunyc:
MARDY KNEEDS TIME
By MARC BERMAN
July 8, 2007 -- The Knicks' medical miseries continue. Backup point guard Mardy Collins yesterday revealed he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee six weeks ago and David Lee showed up at Las Vegas summer-league practice still not 100 percent.
Collins may not play in the summer league that begins tomorrow vs. Seattle. Lee never was slated to play summer league, but he showed up for practices to continue a marathon rehab from a mysterious right-leg injury that caused him to miss 23 of the last 26 games.
The Knicks could keep Collins secret surgery from becoming public for so long. Collins, who had a strong finish to his rookie year, had loose debris removed from his knee and still was wearing knee bandages during yesterday's Vegas practice. Collins' knee could be a chronic problem because he admitted it was an issue before the Knicks drafted him with the 29th pick in 2006.
If he plays, Collins will see limited minutes but should be ready for training camp in October. Why the Knicks did not announce the surgery six weeks ago is a mystery and it's unknown if they told other teams inquiring about Collins' availability on NBA Draft night.
The Knicks' unwillingness to release information on Collins brings into question what they haven't revealed about Lee's injury.
Yesterday's practice was his first all-out, full-court contact work since the season ended nearly three months ago. The last public diagnosis was that Lee had suffered from a stress reaction.
Collins, who started the last nine games and played in the last 24, said he knew for some time he may need surgery in the future. Even before the draft, it was an issue, Collins told reporters in Vegas.
"After the season, I worked out for a week to see how it felt," Collins said. "We didn't want to wait too long."
It's a troubling sign for the Knicks that Lee had to wait this long before going full steam. When Lee originally hurt his right leg in March, the Knicks' medical staff misdiagnosed it as a sprained ankle and he was listed as day to day. Lee tried two separate comebacks that failed and perhaps worsened his condition.
"This is a good chance to stay in shape in midsummer. I'm continuing to make progress and am almost back to being perfect," Lee said in an interview on MSG Network. "Being back to doing everything I did during the year is wonderful. There are still a couple of things that make it a little sore, drop-stepping. But I'm making progress every day."
A source said Lee will not be offered to the Kings in any Ron Artest package.
"I'm confident I'll be here next year," Lee said. "Being in trade rumors you're mentioned for a reason, other teams want me on their team. But this is the city where I want to win a championship."
Lee will stay as sixth man but his minutes will shrink with the addition of Zach Randolph. Lee said he is looking forward to playing with Randolph.
"We all loved Channing (Frye) as a teammate, he understands it's a business," Lee said. "Isiah (Thomas) felt we needed to get a scorer in that position. I welcome him (Randolph) with open arms. He's a beast to play against so it's good he's on our team."
Collins, meanwhile, could be offered in a trade for Artest. But his knee could be a red flag. He said he is confident he can contribute like he did last season.
"Last season made me believe I can play in this league," said Collins, who averaged 14.8 points and 5.8 assists as a starter. The chronic problem is that Marc Berman gets his story ideas off a chatboard. You know I gonna spin wit it
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7/7/2007 11:14 PM