I'm sliding into the "worried about Alex" mode

[Katmendo]

I hope the kid has a great recovery, for his own life, first and foremost. BUT,,.... and there's always the BUT,

Todays KSR bit from Robic, about Alex not doing much on the bounce, working in the pool... I'm doing the math, and, even with the knowledge that were' not that long after his repair, the season is only a few months away. I mean, the "we're in practice and getting conditioning", start. If he's not able to do much now, he's likely to appear in October still needing 3 months to get into game shape. With this being his last year, it's not like he can use this as a recovery year. He's either able to contribute, or we're short a critical body, and he next contributes in the NBA.

Is anyone else getting a bit worried?

[DA#23]

^ Honestly that part of the conversation caught my ear as well. Playing "catchup" on the physical conditioning, much less basketball aspects, can be dangerous too.

[George]

I've been worried about a Poythress-led team from day one - and that's not even taking his recovery into account. Not sure what leads some other folks to believe Poythress will be assertive in either play or leadership this season. Not a lot of evidence to suggest that'll be the case. Coming off the injury only makes things worse.

[Spiritof96]

This is a two year injury to be back to 100%. I don't think Alex is in for a world beating season.

[Lighthouse]

Alex's future is first and foremost. IF, he's able to contribute next season will be a plus, but he had a serious injury.

[Joneslab]

I've been worried about a Poythress-led team from day one - and that's not even taking his recovery into account. Not sure what leads some other folks to believe Poythress will be assertive in either play or leadership this season. Not a lot of evidence to suggest that'll be the case. Coming off the injury only makes things worse.

Tyler Ulis will be the leader of this team.

[Joneslab]

This is a two year injury to be back to 100%. I don't think Alex is in for a world beating season.

Seems like it depends on the player. Jon Hood had the injury and reported he was fine going into the next season. Other guys are out for much longer. Seems to be kind of a case-by-case thing. I remember Robbie Hummel had the injury and then came back the next season and was an AA candidate. (Then he got injured again; not sure if it was the same knee.)

One thing I'm not worried about is Poythress's conditioning. He's one of the freakiest and strongest guys Calipari has coached at UK. He'll be fine in that regard. The basketball stuff--notably dribbling--that he needs so much work on he's likely not going to get this off-season.

[Spiritof96]

Seems like it depends on the player. Jon Hood had the injury and reported he was fine going into the next season. Other guys are out for much longer. Seems to be kind of a case-by-case thing. I remember Robbie Hummel had the injury and then came back the next season and was an AA candidate. (Then he got injured again; not sure if it was the same knee.)

One thing I'm not worried about is Poythress's conditioning. He's one of the freakiest and strongest guys Calipari has coached at UK. He'll be fine in that regard. The basketball stuff--notably dribbling--that he needs so much work on he's likely not going to get this off-season.

If you look at recovery with both the eye test and production, (both college and pro; NFL and NBA) It is in reality a two year recovery. He may be physically whole and cleared for play after a year, he may feel 100%; but most athletes especially non-ped ones take two years to fully get back to where they were. Adrian Peterson being the most notable exception.

[KevinHall]

Going way back Winston Bennett had trouble coming back the season follwoing his knee injury. He wasn't quite the same player, IIRC. Everyone heals at a different rate. Sounds like Poythress is a slow healer. Hopefully he is doing everything he can to get back to prime level. But I wouldn't expect that level after reading these reports. Also he could come back for another season. They could apply a medical redshirt for last season. But I highly doubt he will come back no matter how he does this season.

[Joneslab]

Derek Anderson swears he was dunking over people at the end of the season when he was injured. He averaged 12 points a game as a rookie and seemed to be fine.

It's hard to use the NBA model because the NBA protects guys a lot and will put them on the shelf sometimes for issues only partly related to their injury. Those are million-dollar investments and when you've got grown men who can fill in for them it's silly to rush them back. In college it's generally handled differently--again, depending on the situation.

[GOCAT15]

If the starting line-up to start the season isn't, Ulis, Briscoe, Skal, Lee, and Mulder/Mathews I will be really surprised. I hope Alex the best, but it sure doesn't seem like he's coming along fast enough to be a crucial part of this team like we need him to be.

[Joneslab]

If the starting line-up to start the season isn't, Ulis, Briscoe, Skal, Lee, and Mulder/Mathews I will be really surprised. I hope Alex the best, but it sure doesn't seem like he's coming along fast enough to be a crucial part of this team like we need him to be.

Maybe, but there are five months to go before the season starts.

[George]

Tyler Ulis will be the leader of this team.

I agree, but there have been comments made on this very board by people who think Poythress will fill that role. People sometimes confuse "senior" with "leader."

[GOCAT15]

Maybe, but there are five months to go before the season starts.

That's true, but it'll be there before you know it.

[Spiritof96]

Derek Anderson swears he was dunking over people at the end of the season when he was injured. He averaged 12 points a game as a rookie and seemed to be fine.

It's hard to use the NBA model because the NBA protects guys a lot and will put them on the shelf sometimes for issues only partly related to their injury. Those are million-dollar investments and when you've got grown men who can fill in for them it's silly to rush them back. In college it's generally handled differently--again, depending on the situation.

Derek Anderson will also confirm that his recovery was a certifiable anomaly and that Dr.'s were amazed. The NBA data I am referring to isn't counting when they are being held out or "protected". it is the falloff in productivity when they are on the court in the first year back.

I hope Alex is back to being Alex; but I don't expect it.