Speedy Claxton gets hurt

[F-Dog]

Hawks' Claxton has broken hand
Likely starting point guard may be out 5 to 6 weeks

By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 09/21/06

New Hawks point guard Speedy Claxton broke a bone in his left hand and will be out five to six weeks, leaving the team without the services of their most prized summer acquisition with the start of training camp a little over a week away.

"That's what it sounds like," Hawks general manager Billy Knight said Thursday after team doctors examined Claxton. "We really just have to play it by ear right now. I don't have any preconceived notions because some guys heal faster and some guys heal slower. So I can't sit here and make any ironclad statements one way or another."

Claxton injured his non-shooting hand Monday while working out in Philadelphia, where he keeps an offseason residence. He is expected to be in a cast for three to four weeks and then wear a protective splint for another week or two. The Hawks open training camp Oct. 3 and play eight exhibition games before the Nov. 1 regular-season opener in Philadelphia.

The Hawks do have other options at the position. They have a veteran in backup point guard Tyronn Lue, one of the league's best pick-and-roll players. Third-year point guard Royal Ivey started 66 games last season and could also fill in.

But Claxton was one of the players the Hawks targeted early during July's free agent negotiating period as the veteran presence needed to guide and help direct for the NBA?s youngest team.

The Hawks lured the 28-year-old free agent away from New Orleans with a four-year, $25 million contract. Claxton averaged 28.4 minutes, 12.3 points and 4.8 assists and was the runner-up in voting for the league's Sixth Man Award last season with the Hornets.

http://www.hawksquawk.net/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=169534&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&fpart=#169534

 

[George O'Brien]

Considering the value of the Hawks pick, I hope this injury lingers.

 

[Joe Mama]

I know this sounds like kind of a freak accident, but Claxton sure seems injury prone.

Joe

 

[Nash]

Considering the value of the Hawks pick, I hope this injury lingers.

But I also hope it heals soon enough so they don't stink too bad and slip into the top 3.

 

[Gaddabout]

I know this sounds like kind of a freak accident, but Claxton sure seems injury prone.

I'm not saying Speedy is jinxed, but if I were an NBA player, I wouldn't run beneath a mounted center scoreboard if he's near.

In a previous life, Speedy was a drummer for Spinal Tap.