KG Update: the knee is "Pain free"

[Roy Hobbs]

I know the pessimists / conspiracy theorists (here's looking at you, Simmons) will disregard this news, but here's an update straight from KG's mouth:

Kevin Garnett said last night his knee is 100 percent pain free following the Celtics’ scrimmage at Salve Regina University.

Garnett, coming off right knee surgery to remove a bone spur, looked nimble running the court and even made a nifty pass to Rajon Rondo for a layup.

“I anticipated being a lot more sore than what I was going to be,’’ he said. “I’m not even thinking about the injury when I’m playing. Things I am doing now, I couldn’t do four, five days ago. Every day I’m getting stronger and every day I am getting better.’’

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Garnett’s pain is actually in the surrounding areas of the knee such as the calf and shin.

“I don’t have any knee problems,’’ Garnett said. “I’m not trying to get in depth with my injury, but the things that are bothering me are secondary, so I am excited about that.’’

Link

More:

HOW DID YOU MAKE IT THROUGH?

Garnett: "Better than I expected. I anticipated being a lot more sore than what I was going to be. I have my days and then sitting and talking to other guys, they were just as sore as I was so I kind of felt at home. I didn't want to overreact to anything and to be honest with everybody here I'm not even thinking about the injury when I'm playing. I do all my stuff I'm supposed to do. I don't play around with my workouts, even when I am in my room I do my calisthenics and I am getting my proper treatments. And you see this kinesio tape on me but it's all prevention and all to better.

The things I couldn't do four, five days ago, I can do today, When were in a drill and we were doing some lob stuff, some five-on-five stuff and some of the moves and cuts with the ball and me stepping back and pushing off, I couldn't four to five, seven days ago and every day I'm getting stronger and every day I'm getting better, just trying to climb on top of the ladder."


THE PAIN YOU EXPERIENCED WASN'T IN THE KNEE?

"I don't have any knee problems. I don't have any knee problems. I'm not trying to get in depth with my injury and all that but the things are bothering me are secondary and not even primary. So I'm excited about that because it's nothing be strengthening the knee and playing again. You gotta remember, I have been out since what, March? I haven't done anything since then. I have just been rehabbing, strengthing. Nothing simulates basketball play. The pounding, the churning, the reactions, the stuff you have to react to in games you can't get that in trying to that with the rehab and the trainers and all that other stuff.

"I feel really good, I wouldn't (BS) you guys if I was hurting I would tell you. I'm pretty straight up with everything that's going on with me. I feel good. I'm excited about how we are and I'm just trying to get my part together to make sure I'm ready for when we need to be like we need to be."

HOW MANY MORE BARRIERS WILL YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH?

I don't have a crystal ball. If I did, I would sit here and do it in front of you. For the most part, I am just going to continue to do the things I've been doing to get me up to this point. Hopefully it takes me to the top, to where I felt like today in the scrimmage. I was getting up and down, sprinting, sprinting, sprinting and I can tell you, to be honest four or five days ago I couldn't do that. There would be times where I would have to pace. Instead of going to the boards I would get back. Today was all out, just going and going."

(Trainer) Eddie (Lacerte) told me "that's the best you looked the whole camp." So just movement wise, I've been exploding off of it. So I just have to continue to improve."

HOW DID IT FEEL TO MAKE THAT WRAP AROUND PASS TO RONDO DURING THE SCRIMMAGE?

"I'm a little injured or coming off injury, I'm not dead. I'm not brain dead. I can still make plays. I can still play defense and still know how to play. So I'm still me now, you know what I mean? I ain't in my grave yet dog. They ain't shot Old Yeller yet dog. They ain't took him in the back yet. I can still make a couple of plays here and there. I know you haven't seen me in a while but I ain't go that much dust on me."

Link.

“I feel really good, man,” Garnett added. “I wouldn’t (expletive) you guys or none of that. If I was hurting, I would tell you. I’m pretty straight up with everything going on, and I feel good.

Link

I know people want to talk about a lack of transparency, but it's all right there.  I agree that the team was a little overly coy approaching the playoffs last season, but this year I see no incentive to mislead everyone about KG's progress.

He can play, and he *is* playing.

[KungPoweChicken]

While this is encouraging news, and I'm glad to hear it, I will only believe what I see. So until KG can play competitive in game action, I am assuming he is done, especially after the way the C's handle things last year.

[hpantazo]

While this is encouraging news, and I'm glad to hear it, I will only believe what I see. So until KG can play competitive in game action, I am assuming he is done, especially after the way the C's handle things last year.

well, you will see it in a few days, and then there will be nothing left for the pessimists to say other than "yea, well, how long until his knee goes out again?" Let's face it guys, KG is back and ready to go.

[MVP]

I was somewhat concerned about KG's knee after seeing that practice footage where he was noticeably limping. But after seeing him run around in the scrimmage yesterday, and the explanations from KG/Doc/DA which make sense, I feel much more confident about it. Hopefully the game on Wednesday will be further confirmation that KG's knee is on its way to being fully healthy.

[Roy Hobbs]

Here's what Doc said:

At times, Garnett did appear to be favoring his right leg, but, Rivers said, “You could see Kevin had good rhythm today, so that was good to see.

“It’s just him feeling his way,” the coach added with regard to the odd movements. “He has no pain (in the knee), which is good. At times he favors it, (but) it’s not his knee. His calf muscle is bothering him. That’s probably just from not playing. He’s made it clear: ‘I have zero knee pain, but my calf hurts and my shins hurt.’ Shin splints are from not playing. What we’re trying to get him to understand is that still means you should stop some.”

[crownsy]

While this is encouraging news, and I'm glad to hear it, I will only believe what I see. So until KG can play competitive in game action, I am assuming he is done, especially after the way the C's handle things last year.

So who do you suppose played yesterday in the scrimmage? a stunt double?

I love ya to death kungpowe, but i just don't get this theory you have that his basketball career is over despite all evidence to the contrary.

He's not going to look 100% fluid yet. As i said in another thread, and as you know personaly if you've ever had a major injury and tried to get back to playing sports:

You gotta remember, I have been out since what, March? I haven't done anything since then. I have just been rehabbing, strengthing. Nothing simulates basketball play. The pounding, the churning, the reactions, the stuff you have to react to in games you can't get that in trying to that with the rehab and the trainers and all that other stuff.

-KG

Is 100% correct. You don't immediately feel normal after major surgery when you start playing, no matter how successful it was. IT's imposable. As KG is saying, you need multiple days of the activity. I'm actually highly encouraged he's coming out of practices pain free in that knee. That took me about a month once i got cleared out of rehab for my ACL and started doing football non-contact again.

I'm hoping to see him at 100% a month into the season or so, personaly. What i wouldn't be opposed to is alot of bench minutes for sheed at the 4/ giving sheed the start at the 4 to ease kevin in gradually.

[CelticPride18]

If he was pain free why was he limping ?

[Roy Hobbs]

If he was pain free why was he limping ?

He had shin splints.  You know, it's not *that* hard to read what he and Doc said about the matter. 

[RAcker]

If he was pain free why was he limping ?

He had shin splints.  You know, it's not *that* hard to read what he and Doc said about the matter. 

Exactly, and shin splints hurt like a mother when you have them.  The great news is, they go away with a little work and extra stretching, etc.  If the knee is pain free as they say, we are golden.

[Bahku]

If he was pain free why was he limping ?

He had shin splints.  You know, it's not *that* hard to read what he and Doc said about the matter. 

Exactly, and shin splints hurt like a mother when you have them.  The great news is, they go away with a little work and extra stretching, etc.  If the knee is pain free as they say, we are golden.

You guys nailed it ... if it was almost any injury other than shin splints, no WAY would he have been allowed to run up and down the court and keep playing! (TP)

[RAcker]

If he was pain free why was he limping ?

He had shin splints.  You know, it's not *that* hard to read what he and Doc said about the matter. 

Exactly, and shin splints hurt like a mother when you have them.  The great news is, they go away with a little work and extra stretching, etc.  If the knee is pain free as they say, we are golden.

You guys nailed it ... if it was almost any injury other than shin splints, no WAY would he have been allowed to run up and down the court and keep playing! (TP)

I never thought of it that way. Can you imagine Doc saying, "Just run anyway since the cameras are here"?