2013 has not been pleasant in terms of all the injuries accumulated in the NBA. Whether it’s Derrick Rose, Kobe Bryant, Marc Gasol, Quincy Pondexter or J.J. Redick, players around the league have missed significant time already due to injuries.
Add Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks to that list, who received the worst news possible regarding the injury he suffered last week. Find details on him and much more below.
HORFORD OUT FOR THE YEAR:
Horford suffered a tear of his pectoral muscle last week and will have to undergo a season-ending surgery, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
After suffering a torn pectoral muscle in his right shoulder, Hawks forward Al Horford will undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday in Atlanta, a league source told Yahoo Sports.
Horford suffered the injury Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and an MRI on Friday revealed the tear. The loss of Horford is devastating to the Hawks’ frontline. At 17-14, the Hawks have a stronghold on the third-best record in the sputtering Eastern Conference. Only Miami, Indiana and Atlanta have winning records in the East.
It’s the second torn pectoral for Horford in three years. He tore his left pectoral in January 2012.
WAY OF WADE:
Just a week ago, Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union announced that they would finally tie the knot after years of being in a relationship. On Monday, reports surfaced that Wade fathered a son about a month ago with another woman while the couple was separated. Here’s what he had to say about what went down, from Ira Winderman of Sun Sentinel:
“I had a time, a part in our break, in our pain and our hurt, a blessing came out of it in my life, having a son that was born healthy,” Wade said of his relationship with Union. “So I’m moving on.”
Prior to the Heat’s game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center, Wade addressed the birth of his son in the wake of several online reports earlier in the day.
“I’m in the public eye, so obviously that’s a part of it,” Wade said of the private matter becoming public. “It comes with the territory.”
Wade said what matters to him “is always focus on what’s most important to me and my family, and that’s being a great father. I’ve always tried to show my importance in my kids’ lives and it doesn’t change now. So, I, my lady and my family have continued to move forward, and I think that’s evident with the ring and the proposal that I gave her, with our lives.”
TONY PARKER’S APOLOGY:
Some years ago, Tony Parker took a photo with a friend making a particular gesture. Unfortunately, that gesture turned out to be something highly inappropriate and was recently exposed. For this, the point guard sent out a statement of apology, from Tim Bontemps of New York Post:
In the photo, Parker poses with the French comedian Dieudonne, making the gesture known in France as a “quenelle,” which critics describe as inverted Nazi salute.
“While this gesture has been part of French culture for many years, it was not until recently that I learned of the very negative concerns associated with it,” Parker said in the statement. “When l was photographed making that gesture three years ago, I thought it was part of a comedy act and did not know that it could be in any way offensive or harmful.
“Since I have been made aware of the seriousness of this gesture, I will certainly never repeat the gesture and sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding or harm relating to my actions. Hopefully this incident will serve to educate others that we need to be more aware that things that may seem innocuous can actually have a history of hate and hurt.”
Back to basketball news: Parker wouldn’t rule out the possibility of leaving the San Antonio Spurs if necessary, from Jabari Young of Express News:
“If I can yeah”, Parker told the San Antonio Express-News. “The history here, they always take care of the guys. They did it with [Tim Duncan] and Manu [Ginobili], so hopefully they take care of me. At the end of this year they have to guarantee my year after, so, technically, maybe, I’ll be a free agent this summer.”
Said Parker: “I just don’t want a guarantee, I want an extension, too.”
“I want to stay positive,” Parker said, “but if it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t work out. My wish is to stay here and play my whole career here, but if there is no more Pop or Timmy or Manu, I’m not against going somewhere. I’m not against that.”
THE EFFECTS OF RUDY GAY:
The Toronto Raptors are 7-3 since trading Gay to the Sacramento Kings. Some may not love what he brings to the table in terms of efficiency level, but there is no denying that his presence is helping the Kings for the better as well, according to coach Nick of Bballbreakdown:
OTHER NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:
Kobe Bryant may get all the media attention, but easily the biggest injury so far this season (depending on whether Rose makes a full comeback) wasn’t even mentioned. That is the 3rd fracture, in the same area of the right 5th metatarsal, to Brook Lopez – the best offensive Center in the NBA, with his defense improving now that he had been healthy.
No matter what the Nets record was, they had (and still have) a chance to finish forth in the East, and would have been a feared team in the playoffs if Kirilenko were to return with Brook, DWill, Pierce, Blatche and Joe Johnson (KG, may he RIP).
I’m still waiting to find out if the reason for the past 2 fractures was a result of the Screw placed in Brook’s foot, to promote quicker healing. This past summer, the original screw was found to be bent, but the larger screw they replaced it with may have been the culprit this time. Hopefully we will find out after the Jan. 4 surgery, whether there are plans for Lopez to resume his career in less than 1 year (he would be just age 26 then), without the aid of any screws.
Never thought KG would look so done after what he did last season. Pretty shocking.
KG looks Weak more than anything; doesn’t want to push people around. Its a challenge for him to be able to get easy buckets inside.
Its what I would expect with someone recovering from Mono (as happened to Brook 2 years ago).
Pierce has been playing with injuries (still has a broken hand), but its mostly less quickness, on defense, where PP has hurt Nets.