作者Aldridge (目標:季後賽我來啦)
看板BLAZERS
標題[外電] Martell Webster plans his comeback
時間Mon Mar 23 19:10:20 2009
原文:
http://tinyurl.com/d6b7xy
Martell Webster plans his comeback
TUALATIN -- Martell Webster struts onto the Trail Blazers' practice court
for a workout and stops in his tracks when he spots someone dribbling a
basketball.
"Let me see your jumper," Webster says with great skepticism, before
watching the person brick a baseline shot. "Man, that's ugly."
Moments later, Webster scoops up the ball and fires his own shot, which
is anything but ugly. Swish. Someone passes the ball back to Webster and
he shoots again. Swish.
Although he's missed all but five minutes this season because of an injured
left foot, one thing is clear: Webster's still got it.
During the next hour, with his teammates thousands of miles away on a
five-game trip, the fourth-year NBA player provides a subtle glimpse at
what the Blazers have missed this season in his absence. That picture-
perfect jumper, superb athleticism and budding potential are all revealed
as he hoists hundreds of shots and pushes himself in the latest phase
of his rehabilitation.
Team doctors examined Webster's surgically repaired foot last week and
reported that it continues to heal nicely. He has not yet been cleared
for high-impact activity, but he continues to lift weights, do
cardiovascular work that doesn't involve running and shoot.
Webster says he will return in April, and while he refuses to give more
specifics -- April 1, April 15? -- he doesn't have to. While the team has
said Webster will not return for the regular season, it's clear he has
different plans.
"I haven't given up hope on myself; I know there's still a chance I can
come back," Webster said. "The year's not over. I can still show some
spark. I can show everybody what would have been going on the whole year
if I had played."
His return would be the culmination of patience-testing months of tedious,
behind-the-scenes workouts and could provide the Blazers with a
late-season spark as they attempt to reach the postseason for the first
time since 2003.
Webster's season came to an abrupt halt after the Blazers' first
exhibition game on Oct.7, when he suffered a stress fracture in the fifth
metatarsal on his left foot. He had surgery to insert screws and did not
play again until Dec.7, when, after logging just five minutes, he
suffered another stress fracture in the same spot. He hasn't played since.
Webster wore a protective boot until March 3, when he was cleared to
resume low-impact activities. During his workout last week, Webster could
not say for sure when he would return to practice, let alone when he
would be cleared to run. But during the shooting portion of his workout
-- which followed an hour's worth of lifting weights -- Webster appeared
game-ready.
When he worked on dribble moves, he shifted the ball effortlessly between
his legs as he repeatedly and forcefully alternated them forward and
backward -- something he couldn't do a few weeks ago. His body, which he
says weighs 236 pounds, or roughly 10 pounds over his playing weight,
looks to be in midseason shape. And every now and again, when Webster
would wander toward the basket, he elevated high for a layup and landed
pain-free.
There have been countless frustrations over the past few months, but
Webster, who refuses to focus on the negatives and what-ifs of his season,
said he never lost hope that this moment would come.
This month, his fiancee, Courtney Clarke, gave birth to his second
daughter, Nylah Grace.
He says the pregnancy and birth were a nice distraction and reminder
about what is important in life.
And even during the down times, Webster would simply utter a phrase that
was embedded into his "membrane" at an early age by his great aunt,
Beulah Walker, the woman who raised him and whom he calls his grandmother:
"Everything's gonna be all right."
"That's what my grandma always says," Webster said. "So I know everything's
gonna be all right if she says so. It's that simple. It's what I live by.
And it hasn't failed me yet."
Teammates say Webster has been as positive and upbeat as at any point
during his career. But those who know him the best acknowledge this season
has been rocky.
"He's struggling," said Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams. "Any guy
who's been out for a year is struggling. He may have a different way of
outwardly expressing it, but he's still struggling just like most guys
would. He's not playing, he's been unhappy, but the one thing I've seen
from him is he's always on that bench cheering for guys. He's never
negative, and that's just a sign of his character and the kind of guy
he is."
Unlike some players who are sidelined for most of the season, Webster
has stayed close to his team through his rehab. He participates in most
meetings and film review sessions, has attended most practices and
shootarounds, and regularly watches film on his own.
When he was forced to wear a protective boot, Webster often was spotted
at the practice facility launching free throws and midrange shots while
sitting in a chair.
Now that he appears to be poised for a return, the question begs: What
kind of impact can he make?
Webster stared 70 games last season, when he averaged a career-high 10.7
points and led the Blazers with 123 three-pointers. He signed a four-year,
$20 million extension in October that could keep him in Portland through
the 2012-13 season, and he entered camp as the leading contender to start
at small forward.
"He was my pick to kind of have a breakout year," Williams said.
But the Blazers have long since moved on from depending on Webster.
Rookie Nicolas Batum has started 65 games at small forward and continues
to exceed expectations. Veteran Travis Outlaw has regained his reputation
as one of the NBA's most dependable sixth men. With 12 games remaining,
the Blazers' player rotation is set and the team's rhythm is fluid as
they fight for a playoff seeding.
One school of thought is that Webster, even with all his ability, could
throw a late-season wrench into the team's postseason plans. As Webster
puts it, he could come in "and mess it up." But the Blazers aren't worried.
"Martell's a type of guy who doesn't come in and demand shots," All-Star
guard Brandon Roy said. "I think the biggest thing is getting his legs
and understanding he's coming into a tight situation. But Martell won't
mess up anything. We can just fit him right in because of his style of
play. I don't worry about Martell coming in at all."
Added Blazers coach Nate McMillan: "I would love to have him back. Just
having him adds to the team, adds to the depth of the team, and could
give us some freshness that could provide some good energy."
Webster said he will fill whatever role McMillan asks of him, promising
to be content regardless of how much playing time he gets. After a trying
season of watching, simply being a part of the team is enough.
"It's going to be an overwhelming accomplishment knowing that I've been
told to my face that I will be out the rest of the season and I didn't
let that get the best of me," Webster said. "I'm not going to lie and say
the whole time I was Chipper Young Kipper. There were times when I felt
a little discouraged. That (stuff) is hard man. I'm not going to lie. But
I didn't let it get the best of me."
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Webster 計劃想在四月復出(初or中),等了一整季了,不過現在的輪換已經滿了..
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插播:Rudy 的右手肘腫脹,大概是最近投籃低迷的主因,沒有確切恢復日程
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◆ From: 221.169.172.177
1F:→ shumman:Webster in , Rudy out 讓他休養等打季後賽~~ 03/23 19:32
2F:推 knight0123:這是有輪休嗎... 03/23 21:19
3F:推 dakkk:哈 還有這樣休息的 03/23 22:16
4F:推 shumman:沒辦法 誰叫我們人多 ~~ 03/24 10:32