How bad do you think KG's Knee is?

[PosImpos]

Really, I don't think it's that bad anymore.

He's slow 'cause he's old, not 'cause he's crippled.

[indeedproceed]

this is just a theory, with no actual substance at all..

but is he having his knee drained? Seems like his games go:

Good, Good, Not great, kinda slow, bad..rest....good, good, not great...

I dunno maybe there is a pattern

[drza44]

If we divorce ourselves from the numbers and go only by how KG moved on the floor, the Wizards game was the best that I've seen from him in a long time.  Quite possibly this season.

He was bouncy out there.  His legs looked lively, especially early on.  He was boxing out and still able to get up quickly for the board.  He was getting boards that were outside of his zone.  He was active tipping the boards on the offensive end.

And offensively, he was attempting to initiate offensive moves (at least before he was 0-fer and called for several travels).  But he was looking to initiate, something he hasn't done much at all this year (and hardly ever when he's really been hobbling).

Barring a set-back, I really think that at the end of the season we'll be able to look back and clearly see the time course of KG's recovery.  He can have a bad offensive game without it being because his knee is hurt.  He's still knocking the dust off of different aspects of his game that he hasn't done much (if at all) this season. 

[moiso]

Really, I don't think it's that bad anymore.

He's slow 'cause he's old, not 'cause he's crippled.

I don't see it this way.  He now runs actually bent over with his head looking directly at his knee.  He is constantly looking at his knee and making faces.

[Chris]

Right now, I would say KG's knee is pretty good.  

I think the problem is that KG is at a point where he needs a lot of luck to stay healthy.  He is older now, so things are a little broken down, and things don't regenerate the way they used to.  

I don't think the knee was ever that much worse than they told us it was.  I just don't think he is able to recover like he could when he was younger.  

At the beginning of the season, I think the knee was actually pretty good, the problem was, the muscles around the knee had become so weak, that he lost a lot of explosiveness and mobility.  He began to gain that back, as the leg got stronger...and of course the only way to get that strength back to where it needed to be was by using it, and playing basketball.  

Here is the kicker though.  Because the leg muscles were weaker, it made him more susceptible to re-injure the knee in simple plays that he normally would just walk off.  The muscles couldn't absorb the impact like they normally would, so suddenly, you have a sprained (or hyperextended) knee, when normally, you would just walk it off.

And unfortunately, this is how I see the rest of his career going.  I don't think he will ever be able to fully return to 100%.  He will go through cycles, where he will get better and better as his legs get stronger, then he will bump his knee again, miss a few games, and then have to start over, hobbling for a few weeks, before being productive again.  So it is all going to be a game of chance, hoping that he can go into the playoffs in the right part of the cycle, and make it all the way through, without being setback again.

[MBz]

Really, I don't think it's that bad anymore.

He's slow 'cause he's old, not 'cause he's crippled.

I agree somewhat.  I think his age is why he's slow but its due to his knees being old.  As you get older your joints are not going to be as good as they were when you were 22.  His knees are not going to be at the level they were 2 years ago.  We don't have a 28 year old KG, we have a 14 year veteran.

[FallGuy]

Right now, I would say KG's knee is pretty good.  

I think the problem is that KG is at a point where he needs a lot of luck to stay healthy.  He is older now, so things are a little broken down, and things don't regenerate the way they used to.  

I don't think the knee was ever that much worse than they told us it was.  I just don't think he is able to recover like he could when he was younger.  

At the beginning of the season, I think the knee was actually pretty good, the problem was, the muscles around the knee had become so weak, that he lost a lot of explosiveness and mobility.  He began to gain that back, as the leg got stronger...and of course the only way to get that strength back to where it needed to be was by using it, and playing basketball.  

Here is the kicker though.  Because the leg muscles were weaker, it made him more susceptible to re-injure the knee in simple plays that he normally would just walk off.  The muscles couldn't absorb the impact like they normally would, so suddenly, you have a sprained (or hyperextended) knee, when normally, you would just walk it off.

And unfortunately, this is how I see the rest of his career going.  I don't think he will ever be able to fully return to 100%.  He will go through cycles, where he will get better and better as his legs get stronger, then he will bump his knee again, miss a few games, and then have to start over, hobbling for a few weeks, before being productive again.  So it is all going to be a game of chance, hoping that he can go into the playoffs in the right part of the cycle, and make it all the way through, without being setback again.

Your knees never come back all the way when you've played that many games. That's why the injuries are becoming more frequent with KG (keep in mind he used to skip practices in Minnesota because of issues with his knees). He's clearly a warrior - and probably in worse shape than he lets on. What's unfortunate is that his athleticism was such a big part of what he brought to the table. We're watching him making the adjustments that will allow him to play another few years. But the memories of past KG are hard to shake.

[LarBrd33]

extremely bad.  Next year will be his last playing in the NBA.  He's not coming back after the Lockout.

[moiso]

extremely bad.  Next year will be his last playing in the NBA.  He's not coming back after the Lockout.

I'm glad somebody out there is seeing what I'm seeing.

[FallGuy]

extremely bad.  Next year will be his last playing in the NBA.  He's not coming back after the Lockout.

Interesting. The bleak viewpoint. I'm not sure you're wrong.

Just a strong opinion or you know something more?

[CelticG1]

I really can't see it just being age. A little over a year ago before he got injured it was alley oop after alley oop from Rondo every game. I thought he looked as good as ever and he was still in the running for defensive player of the year even after he was injured. I thought KG looked better last year before the injury then his first year with us.

[GranTur]

this is just a theory, with no actual substance at all..

but is he having his knee drained? Seems like his games go:

Good, Good, Not great, kinda slow, bad..rest....good, good, not great...

I dunno maybe there is a pattern

Yeah. The pattern is called being a basketball player. People have good games...people have bad games.

KG will be okay.

[moiso]

this is just a theory, with no actual substance at all..

but is he having his knee drained? Seems like his games go:

Good, Good, Not great, kinda slow, bad..rest....good, good, not great...

I dunno maybe there is a pattern

I see the same pattern.  Not sure if its from draining or just rest.  One thing seems obvious- when he has a great game(2010 KG great), he seems far more hobbled in the next game.

[Chris]

this is just a theory, with no actual substance at all..

but is he having his knee drained? Seems like his games go:

Good, Good, Not great, kinda slow, bad..rest....good, good, not great...

I dunno maybe there is a pattern

I think you see the same pattern with any player returning from an injury.  I don't think his knee is being drained, because I think something would have leaked about it.  I think he just is showing what its like to be playing on a bad wheel. 

[footey]

Just when he seems to be fully recovered, he takes a step back (like last night's game vs. DC).  I think it is unrealistic to expect him to be 100% health-wise until next season, but he will play his hardest the rest of this year. Doubt that he is risking further damage, but am not an MD.