Injury update on Amare & Zarko

[jbeecham]

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/tribune_040102.html

Stoudemire, Zarko Working Way Back

By Mike Tulumello, Tribune
East Valley Tribune
Jan. 2, 2004

They are waiting and watching, even practicing here and there, hoping to return before their team’s season is lost.

For their part, the Suns can do little more than watch them and wait for them. Amare Stoudemire and Zarko Cabarkapa are working their way back from injuries that have kept them out for weeks. They say they’ve never suffered major basketball injuries until now, so their present circumstances are a challenge.

While the Suns mostly have struggled in his absence, "It’s not easy sitting and watching," Stoudemire said.

Said Cabarkapa, "For me, it’s harder than being on the floor."

The Suns have been a bit more specific lately on when they might return.

Stoudemire could come back as soon as Jan. 15, at Portland vs. the Trail Blazers. This would mean he would end up missing 20 games after landing on Paul Pierce’s foot after missing a layup Dec. 5 in Boston.

Yet Stoudemire mentioned Jan. 23, a home game vs. San Antonio, as a possible return date. This would mean he would miss 25 games, nearly one-third of the season, because of the injury.

Cabarkapa has progressed to the point where he can take part in pretty much everything except contact drills. The Suns hope he can return on Jan. 13, a home game vs. Denver. This would mean the rookie from Serbia-Montenegro would end up missing 23 games after he was taken down on a flagrant foul by Dallas’ Danny Fortson on Nov. 26.

Whenever they return, they most certainly will play.

Stoudemire will resume starting at the power forward spot, while Donnell Harvey will come off the bench, Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said. Cabarkapa, with his rare combination of size (6-foot-11), speed and ball-handling skills, could be used at all three front-line spots.

"Some of it will depend on the shape they’re in, and how they’re playing," D’Antoni said.

So far, in addition to shooting, Stoudemire is able to work on ball-handling, "But I can’t be explosive or move horizontally," he said.

From his seat on the Suns’ bench, the reigning NBA rookie of the year said he’s watching closely and learning.

"I’m seeing things that I wouldn’t see as a player," he said.

Most notably, he said he realizes more than ever that "a couple of hustle plays," such as coming up with rebounds and loose balls, "really make a difference" in winning and losing.

In addition to working out, Cabarkapa has spent his time during these weeks on the injured list with his parents — they are living with him in the Valley — and keeps in touch with what’s going on in his homeland by reading newspapers and perusing the Internet.

So far, the Suns are 4-10 with both of them missing. To reach the playoffs, they would nearly have to reverse this won-loss ratio.

Making this kind of impact may not be possible, but the Suns can always hope.

"They can give us a little added oomph," D’Antoni said. "That could be enough."

BONUS SHOT: Harvey, who has been ill, was held out of practice Thursday, but the Suns expect he’ll be ready to go tonight.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Cabarkapa has spent his time during these weeks on the injured list with his parents

They're injured too! That's tough

 

[Joe Mama]

At this rate we may never see Amare Stoudemire again. Frankly I would rather it this way anyhow as strangely as that sounds. It will probably be better if D'Antoni has a week or so to integrate Zarko into the lineup before Amare Stoudemire returns. Getting them both back at once might really disturb the chemistry.

I know. I'm just trying to put a positive spin on things.

Joe Mama

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
At this rate we may never see Amare Stoudemire again. Frankly I would rather it this way anyhow as strangely as that sounds. It will probably be better if D'Antoni has a week or so to integrate Zarko into the lineup before Amare Stoudemire returns. Getting them both back at once might really disturb the chemistry.

I know. I'm just trying to put a positive spin on things.

Joe Mama

Positive spin?

 

[George O'Brien]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
At this rate we may never see Amare Stoudemire again. Frankly I would rather it this way anyhow as strangely as that sounds. It will probably be better if D'Antoni has a week or so to integrate Zarko into the lineup before Amare Stoudemire returns. Getting them both back at once might really disturb the chemistry.

I know. I'm just trying to put a positive spin on things.

Joe Mama

Sounds more like turning lemons into lemonade.

 

[fordronken]

Originally posted by George O'Brien
Sounds more like turning lemons into lemonade.

It sounds more to me like putting lemons down the garbage disposal, then running it just to add a little aroma.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by fordronken
It sounds more to me like putting lemons down the garbage disposal, then running it just to add a little aroma.

Nothing gets rid of the fishy smell coming from my sink better!