Clear, hard road ahead for Johnson (JJ UPDATE!)

Cheesebeef

ASFN IDOL
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Posts
92,589
Reaction score
71,410
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."
 

scotsman13

Registered User
Joined
Oct 21, 2002
Posts
1,418
Reaction score
0
Location
salt lake city
i had almost this same thing done to me back in 91. for me it was my upper jaw both checks, and left eye socket. i end up with 4 plates to rebuild my face and i dont know how many screws. i cant say that that i know what he is going throught because it sounds like my was much worst (motorcycle) but they put the plates in through my mouth and eye just like they did with JJ. for me there was a lot of head trama that lead to some of the worst times in my life. (heck i still dont have many memories from before i was 16). but the whole point behind this post was to state that about 2 months after i was playing softball and missed a catch and got hit in the face again and was back in the emergeny room. so please JJ becareful.
 

Lefty

ASFN Icon
Joined
Jul 4, 2002
Posts
12,576
Reaction score
980
That is great to hear. Looks to be be more mental than physical now.
 

Joe Mama

Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2002
Posts
9,501
Reaction score
964
Location
Gilbert, AZ
Even if he does come back for a potential Game 7 it would probably be a good idea to bring him off the bench. They've been playing well with Jimmy Jackson in the lineup. I don't think it makes sense to rock the boat at this point.

Joe Mama
 

jibikao

Registered User
Joined
Dec 3, 2004
Posts
3,390
Reaction score
0
Yeah...even if JJ comes back, I am not sure if he is ready for Game 7 (the most important game obviously). Jim Jackson will have to start.

And JJ coming in to let Nash.

But who says we are going to Game 7??!!!! :lmao:
 

playstation

Selfless Service
Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Posts
1,685
Reaction score
2
Location
Bay Area
this is so awesome to hear! to me, if joe can come in and spell nash (basically eliminate the need for barbosa to play), that would be good enough. If we win with 10-12 minutes of his play during game 7 (if it comes to that), he will be a GOD in phoenix sports.

but i agree with everyone's sentiments: if he doesn't play, its not a reflection on him. if anyone knows when he's ready, it's the leagues resident ironman.
 

playstation

Selfless Service
Joined
Feb 23, 2004
Posts
1,685
Reaction score
2
Location
Bay Area
from phoenixsuns.com (notebook):

May 20, 2005: Suns guard Joe Johnson has been re-examined and the results were as expected. He has been medically cleared to return.

"The swelling has gone down, the laceration on his lip is all healed up," Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson told Suns.com after this morning’s shootaround at the American Airlines Center. "It’s going to be an adjustment period, as far as wearing the mask to take the pressure off that area. He’s got to get used to the mask, he’s got to get his conditioning back. We’ll just go day by day and see how he progresses.

"He had a concussion, too, and sometimes that can make you a little unstable for a while, so he’s got to get his bearings back."

“This is just step 1 in the process of his return,” Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. “After not playing for the past 10 days, he will need to work on conditioning and timing, not to mention adjusting to playing with the mask. His return to competition will be based on his comfort level. When he feels 100 percent, he’ll return.”

Johnson suffered a displaced orbital fracture and a mild concussion with 19.7 seconds remaining in the second quarter of Game 2 vs. Dallas in the Western Conference Semifinals best-of-seven playoff series on May 11. In the 2005 NBA Playoffs, Johnson is averaging 19.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and leads the league with a .565 three-point field goal percentage (13-23 3FG).
 

jibikao

Registered User
Joined
Dec 3, 2004
Posts
3,390
Reaction score
0
scotsman13 said:
i had almost this same thing done to me back in 91. for me it was my upper jaw both checks, and left eye socket. i end up with 4 plates to rebuild my face and i dont know how many screws. i cant say that that i know what he is going throught because it sounds like my was much worst (motorcycle) but they put the plates in through my mouth and eye just like they did with JJ. for me there was a lot of head trama that lead to some of the worst times in my life. (heck i still dont have many memories from before i was 16). but the whole point behind this post was to state that about 2 months after i was playing softball and missed a catch and got hit in the face again and was back in the emergeny room. so please JJ becareful.

Wow man... you've been very unlucky.

Are you alright now?? Are there any side effects from those surgeries?
 
Top