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Republic: McDyess a Medical Marvel
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
April 14, 2004
A weekend warrior suffers a minor knee injury and he limps for life. Antonio McDyess fractures his patella after partially tearing the patella tendon, and he becomes a starting center playing 30- and 40-minute nights.
The Suns staff said it believes McDyess is the only player to continue his career with such injuries that required bone grafting on his push-off knee.
"Just from that, most people would have a disability," team physician Dr. Tom Carter said. "He's been a pleasant surprise from the medical standpoint. If you were to examine him and look at an X-ray of his kneecap, I think even the average individual would be surprised about how well he has played."
McDyess has said the wellness of his knee has improved more in his three months in Phoenix than his whole stint in New York. He credits the Suns' integrated approach to performance enhancement with trainers Aaron Nelson, Casey Smith and Mike Elliott.
"It even says more about Dice that he wasn't playing but he kept working hard," said Nelson, the head trainer. "He didn't shut it down thinking that was it."
West to East?
A New York Post report that Suns Assistant General Manager Mark West is a candidate for the Toronto GM job was news to West on Tuesday.
West said he has not been contacted by the Raptors but would be inclined to at least listen if they do have an interest.
"Everybody's asking me about it," he said. "I'd be interested in knowing more about the situation. I'm not in any hurry to leave this situation. It'd be extremely difficult."
West has spent most of his NBA career with Phoenix, playing for the Suns in eight seasons and moving to the front office in 2001.
"I think it says a lot about this organization," West said. "They hired me to put me in a situation where other teams would like to cater to my services and still keep me here."
Free throws
Phoenix finished with a losing record at home for the first time since the inaugural season of 1968-69. Last year, the Suns were 30-11 at home.
The New York Daily News reported that Michael Jordan has indicated he will not make an offer to buy the Suns but did not indicate a source.
Amare Stoudemire ranks fourth in the league in dunks despite missing 27 games. He trails Shaquille O'Neal, Nene and Erick Dampier.
Casey wins 'Hustle'
Casey Jacobsen looked up to Dan Majerle and now is honored in Majerle's name.
Jacobsen won the Dan Majerle Hustle Award, as selected by fans, Suns players, coaches, employees and Majerle.
"Anybody would rather have team success," Jacobsen said. "I know I'm not getting MVP or All-NBA, but the Hustle Award is one I hold in high stature. It's a reward about character. I try to show up every day for practices and games and do everything the coaches ask. Anything to get me on the floor, I'd do."
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
April 14, 2004
A weekend warrior suffers a minor knee injury and he limps for life. Antonio McDyess fractures his patella after partially tearing the patella tendon, and he becomes a starting center playing 30- and 40-minute nights.
The Suns staff said it believes McDyess is the only player to continue his career with such injuries that required bone grafting on his push-off knee.
"Just from that, most people would have a disability," team physician Dr. Tom Carter said. "He's been a pleasant surprise from the medical standpoint. If you were to examine him and look at an X-ray of his kneecap, I think even the average individual would be surprised about how well he has played."
McDyess has said the wellness of his knee has improved more in his three months in Phoenix than his whole stint in New York. He credits the Suns' integrated approach to performance enhancement with trainers Aaron Nelson, Casey Smith and Mike Elliott.
"It even says more about Dice that he wasn't playing but he kept working hard," said Nelson, the head trainer. "He didn't shut it down thinking that was it."
West to East?
A New York Post report that Suns Assistant General Manager Mark West is a candidate for the Toronto GM job was news to West on Tuesday.
West said he has not been contacted by the Raptors but would be inclined to at least listen if they do have an interest.
"Everybody's asking me about it," he said. "I'd be interested in knowing more about the situation. I'm not in any hurry to leave this situation. It'd be extremely difficult."
West has spent most of his NBA career with Phoenix, playing for the Suns in eight seasons and moving to the front office in 2001.
"I think it says a lot about this organization," West said. "They hired me to put me in a situation where other teams would like to cater to my services and still keep me here."
Free throws
Phoenix finished with a losing record at home for the first time since the inaugural season of 1968-69. Last year, the Suns were 30-11 at home.
The New York Daily News reported that Michael Jordan has indicated he will not make an offer to buy the Suns but did not indicate a source.
Amare Stoudemire ranks fourth in the league in dunks despite missing 27 games. He trails Shaquille O'Neal, Nene and Erick Dampier.
Casey wins 'Hustle'
Casey Jacobsen looked up to Dan Majerle and now is honored in Majerle's name.
Jacobsen won the Dan Majerle Hustle Award, as selected by fans, Suns players, coaches, employees and Majerle.
"Anybody would rather have team success," Jacobsen said. "I know I'm not getting MVP or All-NBA, but the Hustle Award is one I hold in high stature. It's a reward about character. I try to show up every day for practices and games and do everything the coaches ask. Anything to get me on the floor, I'd do."
