Happy just to return Martell Webster's return from a broken left foot is right around the corner -- it could be this week, it could be the next -- but the small forward wants to comfort the uneasy minds of those who might wonder what his return will do to an already crowded playing rotation. So rest easy, Nicolas Batum. Don't worry about it, Travis Outlaw. And just keep coaching, Nate McMillan. "It doesn't matter if I come back as a starter," Webster said. "All I want to do is contribute positively to this team. I just want to win. I want to win. If that means me coming back and only playing 15, 10 minutes a game ... well, there has to be a reason I'm in there for that 10 to 15 minutes. So I'm going to use it to my advantage." After playing well in the exhibition opener against Sacramento as the starting small forward, Webster was diagnosed with a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. He had surgery Oct.9, during which a screw was inserted into his foot, and was expected to be out eight to 10 weeks. Thursday will mark the eight-week anniversary of the surgery, as well as Webster's 22nd birthday. Webster said last week that his goal was to play in Friday's game at Boston, but after a series of checkups with the doctor, it appears less likely he will realize that goal. Webster is with the team on its five-game eastern trip, but he has been cleared just to run and take part in practice if it doesn't involve contact. "There is a really good chance I won't play at all this road trip," Webster said. "So I will use the time to get my body back in game shape and get my endurance up." Both Wesbter and McMillan are saying there is no rush to get Webster back in the rotation. Batum, a defensive-minded rookie, is playing well as the fill-in starter, and Outlaw, the versatile small or power forward, has been an instrumental part of the Blazers' effective second unit. "Maybe we can be patient and let Martell work his way into shape," McMillan said. Webster said: "If the team is playing well, and the rotation is set and good, then I'm going to use that time to get into shape. There is no reason to change something that is going good. I will just use my time wisely and use it to my advantage, so when my name is called, I'm ready to play." The natural tendency is to visualize how it will work out once Webster does return. For the moment, McMillan has been tight-lipped about the rotation with Webster included, saying he will cross that bridge when Webster is able to practice full time. Webster figures to play a lot eventually -- he started 70 games last season and averaged 28.4 minutes a game. If McMillan has revealed one thing, it's that he is considering using Webster and Outlaw at the same time, either with Webster at shooting guard and Outlaw at small forward, or with Webster at small forward and Outlaw at power forward. "He gives us more versatility," McMillan said of Webster. A key to how long it takes Webster to return will be his conditioning. He was in the best shape of his four-year career when the injury happened, and Webster said he has been able to not only maintain his weight, but actually lose weight since the surgery. He said his ability to manage his weight is part of a mental change he underwent last summer that stresses commitment to diet, exercise and game focus. "As long as I stay in that state of mind I'll get right back to where I was," Webster said. "And I haven't left that state of mind yet; that's why I'm not overweight. I feel great. My body looks great. That's the state of mind I have to stay in." During the course of his rehabilitation, which included pool workouts and sessions on an exercise bike, Webster would often take to the court after the Blazers' practices ended. He would sit in a chair and shoot from close range, a practice he says conditions one's shooting form while also building the upper body strength needed to shoot long shots. As a result, he said, his jumper has felt good since he returned to practice. Even so, he said it is far from perfected. His shot will be the area most look to when he does return. He made a team-high 123 three-pointers last season and shot a career-best 38.8 percent from three-point range. However, Webster said he will focus on a different area. "I definitely have to make open shots, that's what I'm training myself to do, but I don't need to come out and jack up 15 shots a game," Webster said. "We all know defense wins games, and that's what I'm going to concentrate on. So I'm not worried about messing up the flow of the team, because that can happen. I have seen it. But you can avoid that by not forcing things." And apparently, one of the things the Blazers will not force, is Webster's return. "I'm excited to get back," Webster said. "It's going to come down to a conver- sation with coach. If he wants me back in the lineup and rotation, OK. If not, I will just use my time wisely and use it to my advantage. But my foot feels fine. It feels great. I wouldn't lie about that." http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/11/happy_just_to_return.html -- 距離Webster歸陣上場的時間越來越近了，但他並不會馬上回到先發，而是由替補出發 在養傷的期間，Webster又減了些體重，他個人表示為了球隊能繼續贏球，他不在意教 練怎麼安排他的位置(反正新合約都到手了 哈哈!!) --

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