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Well - this is somewhat encouraging - the medical staff has semingly given Joe the okay it seems - now it's up to him. My gut tells me if we go to Game 7 - he won't be able to stay off the court, but I'll be totally honest - I WON'T hold it against him if he doesn't. Gotta think about the long-term and without a contract, he's got to do what's in his best interest. By the same token, the organization shouldn't pressure him - rather, they should treat this as the Spurs did Duncan's knee back in 2000(I believe he was headed into FA as well that year) when we played them in the first round. Be completely supportive and think long-term. This team is only just beginning to scratch the surface and while I would LOVE to see them win it all this year, the future is bright - just look how it worked out with the Spurs - they have a title to show for their patience and are one series away from the promised land again.
Regardless, the below article is better than hearing he's out indefinitely. Wish you well JJ and comeback when you're ready!
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0520johnson0520.html
Clear, hard road ahead for Johnson
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
May. 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Joe Johnson's return to the court now becomes a battle from within.
The injured Suns guard met Thursday with his surgeon, Dr. Edward Joganic, who felt the improvement of Johnson's displaced orbital fracture was enough to allow Johnson, Suns team physician Dr. Thomas Carter and Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni to decide Johnson's return. That could be as soon as Sunday, although Johnson emphasized that he would put his long-term health first.
"Whenever I feel the itch or nerve to go out again, I will," Johnson said.
Johnson's swelling reduced so much (at least 5 millimeters) in the past week that he needed to be refitted Thursday at Cranial Technologies in Tempe for a protective mask. He must wear the mask in games to protect the orbital bone, injured May 11 during Game 2 against Dallas.
"He is making great progress," said Joganic, one of only two craniofacial surgeons in Arizona. "He's quite upbeat and enthusiastic about getting back to play.
"He has everything under control."
Johnson, who did not fly with the team to Dallas for today's Game 6, said he feels better with each day and is not worried about playing tentatively. His vision is perfect, according to Joganic, who had been concerned about the possibility of double vision.
"My health is the No. 1 thing right now," Johnson said. "Whenever I feel healthy, I'll make that decision.
"As much as I love the game of basketball, I'm not going to rush it."
Johnson underwent a 90-minute surgery on May 12, when Joganic repaired Johnson's orbital bone with four metal plates held by 18 screws. Three of the metal plates were inserted by going through his mouth and another with an incision on the side of his left upper eyelid.
The plates and screws are permanent but will become part of his facial skeleton when the bone grows over the top of them. It is an injury Joganic more frequently sees in hockey players.
The mask for which Johnson was fitted Thursday will be made of Vivak, a hard plastic resistant to high impact. If struck, the orbital bone would go untouched as the rest of his face took the force.
"He can sustain a pretty high impact," Cranial Technologies President Carol Erickson said. "We've removed all pressure from the impact area."
Cranial Technologies normally makes headbands at about $3,000 each for 3- to 24-month old children with misshaped heads. The company made the hard plastic bands for the conjoined twins who were separated at the head in New York last year. Its lab has custom capabilities to adjust to Johnson.
"I honestly didn't know my head was that big," said Johnson, who wants to keep his mask and mold.
Johnson had to sit still for about 30 minutes Thursday while a new cranial imaging system took a 3-D model of his head. Afterward, he reflected on the arena-wide chants of "Joe" during a Wednesday timeout.
"It sent chills down my body," Johnson said. "It was a great moment."
Regardless, the below article is better than hearing he's out indefinitely. Wish you well JJ and comeback when you're ready!
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0520johnson0520.html
Clear, hard road ahead for Johnson
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
May. 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Joe Johnson's return to the court now becomes a battle from within.
The injured Suns guard met Thursday with his surgeon, Dr. Edward Joganic, who felt the improvement of Johnson's displaced orbital fracture was enough to allow Johnson, Suns team physician Dr. Thomas Carter and Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni to decide Johnson's return. That could be as soon as Sunday, although Johnson emphasized that he would put his long-term health first.
"Whenever I feel the itch or nerve to go out again, I will," Johnson said.
Johnson's swelling reduced so much (at least 5 millimeters) in the past week that he needed to be refitted Thursday at Cranial Technologies in Tempe for a protective mask. He must wear the mask in games to protect the orbital bone, injured May 11 during Game 2 against Dallas.
"He is making great progress," said Joganic, one of only two craniofacial surgeons in Arizona. "He's quite upbeat and enthusiastic about getting back to play.
"He has everything under control."
Johnson, who did not fly with the team to Dallas for today's Game 6, said he feels better with each day and is not worried about playing tentatively. His vision is perfect, according to Joganic, who had been concerned about the possibility of double vision.
"My health is the No. 1 thing right now," Johnson said. "Whenever I feel healthy, I'll make that decision.
"As much as I love the game of basketball, I'm not going to rush it."
Johnson underwent a 90-minute surgery on May 12, when Joganic repaired Johnson's orbital bone with four metal plates held by 18 screws. Three of the metal plates were inserted by going through his mouth and another with an incision on the side of his left upper eyelid.
The plates and screws are permanent but will become part of his facial skeleton when the bone grows over the top of them. It is an injury Joganic more frequently sees in hockey players.
The mask for which Johnson was fitted Thursday will be made of Vivak, a hard plastic resistant to high impact. If struck, the orbital bone would go untouched as the rest of his face took the force.
"He can sustain a pretty high impact," Cranial Technologies President Carol Erickson said. "We've removed all pressure from the impact area."
Cranial Technologies normally makes headbands at about $3,000 each for 3- to 24-month old children with misshaped heads. The company made the hard plastic bands for the conjoined twins who were separated at the head in New York last year. Its lab has custom capabilities to adjust to Johnson.
"I honestly didn't know my head was that big," said Johnson, who wants to keep his mask and mold.
Johnson had to sit still for about 30 minutes Thursday while a new cranial imaging system took a 3-D model of his head. Afterward, he reflected on the arena-wide chants of "Joe" during a Wednesday timeout.
"It sent chills down my body," Johnson said. "It was a great moment."