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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12718400p-13570652c.html
Signs good for Miller, Jackson
Geoff Petrie hopes they will be on the Kings' playoff roster.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Injured Kings players Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson received good news about their potential return to action after being examined and tested Tuesday.
Geoff Petrie, president of basketball operations, said he hoped both players would be on the Kings' 12-man playoff roster.
"That's a decision for another day," said Petrie, whose team has four regular-season games left and will not have to submit its playoff roster until a few days before the postseason starts the weekend of April 23-24.
"I don't anticipate anything," Petrie added. "Neither has been released. Neither has practiced. We'll have to make that decision once they start doing more basketball-related activities. But I'm hopeful they are on the roster."
Miller's fractured left fibula was judged clinically healed, Petrie said. The center, who was hurt March 12 during a light shooting drill, has been swimming and riding a stationary bicycle, Petrie said.
Before the fibula break, Miller missed six games because of a calf contusion suffered Feb. 27 against the Washington Wizards.
The Kings want to add Miller to the frontline group that includes centers Brian Skinner and Greg Ostertag and forwards Kenny Thomas, Peja Stojakovic, Corliss Williamson and Darius Songaila.
A hamstring injury sidelined Stojakovic for four games after the Feb. 23 trade that brought Skinner, Thomas and Williamson from the Philadelphia 76ers, so the entire group hasn't yet been available.
"Brad's X-ray was much improved," Petrie said. "He's clinically healed, and that means he can start to significantly upgrade his activity. Now that doesn't mean he'll be running up and down in any scrimmages. But he'll be able to run on a treadmill unassisted and gradually increase his speed. He's on an as-he-feels basis."
Jackson hasn't played since a Dec. 21 game against Washington because of a torn ligament in his left wrist. He underwent surgery Jan. 3.
The backup guard has been increasing his activity gradually. During the past month, Jackson has been doing a lot of spot shooting and working out against Kings assistant coaches T.R. Dunn and Elston Turner. After practice last week, Jackson was playing full-court one-on-one against the two former defensive stalwarts. However, he hasn't been cleared to scrimmage.
"He's got another week," Petrie said of Jackson, "and if everything progresses as expected, he could be totally released. He would be cleared to do anything. That would still put Bobby a week ahead of the initial prognosis. He will continue to try to increase his flexibility and strength during this next week."
Petrie cautioned that a player's rehabilitation period is just the start of his comeback. Miller and Jackson will need to regain rhythm and timing before suiting up again. "Especially with Brad and a weight-bearing injury, there is nothing really to compare to running up and down a floor and competing in the NBA," Petrie said. "It's not the same as playing badminton in the back yard. What's good for one isn't good for the other."
Signs good for Miller, Jackson
Geoff Petrie hopes they will be on the Kings' playoff roster.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Injured Kings players Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson received good news about their potential return to action after being examined and tested Tuesday.
Geoff Petrie, president of basketball operations, said he hoped both players would be on the Kings' 12-man playoff roster.
"That's a decision for another day," said Petrie, whose team has four regular-season games left and will not have to submit its playoff roster until a few days before the postseason starts the weekend of April 23-24.
"I don't anticipate anything," Petrie added. "Neither has been released. Neither has practiced. We'll have to make that decision once they start doing more basketball-related activities. But I'm hopeful they are on the roster."
Miller's fractured left fibula was judged clinically healed, Petrie said. The center, who was hurt March 12 during a light shooting drill, has been swimming and riding a stationary bicycle, Petrie said.
Before the fibula break, Miller missed six games because of a calf contusion suffered Feb. 27 against the Washington Wizards.
The Kings want to add Miller to the frontline group that includes centers Brian Skinner and Greg Ostertag and forwards Kenny Thomas, Peja Stojakovic, Corliss Williamson and Darius Songaila.
A hamstring injury sidelined Stojakovic for four games after the Feb. 23 trade that brought Skinner, Thomas and Williamson from the Philadelphia 76ers, so the entire group hasn't yet been available.
"Brad's X-ray was much improved," Petrie said. "He's clinically healed, and that means he can start to significantly upgrade his activity. Now that doesn't mean he'll be running up and down in any scrimmages. But he'll be able to run on a treadmill unassisted and gradually increase his speed. He's on an as-he-feels basis."
Jackson hasn't played since a Dec. 21 game against Washington because of a torn ligament in his left wrist. He underwent surgery Jan. 3.
The backup guard has been increasing his activity gradually. During the past month, Jackson has been doing a lot of spot shooting and working out against Kings assistant coaches T.R. Dunn and Elston Turner. After practice last week, Jackson was playing full-court one-on-one against the two former defensive stalwarts. However, he hasn't been cleared to scrimmage.
"He's got another week," Petrie said of Jackson, "and if everything progresses as expected, he could be totally released. He would be cleared to do anything. That would still put Bobby a week ahead of the initial prognosis. He will continue to try to increase his flexibility and strength during this next week."
Petrie cautioned that a player's rehabilitation period is just the start of his comeback. Miller and Jackson will need to regain rhythm and timing before suiting up again. "Especially with Brad and a weight-bearing injury, there is nothing really to compare to running up and down a floor and competing in the NBA," Petrie said. "It's not the same as playing badminton in the back yard. What's good for one isn't good for the other."
God I miss him...:sigh:...
Nice to get him back to set a few more of those....
LOL
