From: jerryo@pdx103 (Jerry Orleck)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: Re: Blazer Status?
Date: 17 Apr 92 20:15:25 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Intel Corp., Hillsboro, Oregon

In article <1992Apr16.211445.221@lclark.edu> erickson@lclark.edu (Scott Erickson) writes:

>In article <74313@netnews.upenn.edu> liang@saul.cis.upenn.edu (Chuck Liang) writes:

>>  I saw the box score for the Dallas game last night and noticed that
>>not only Drexler didn't play but Kersey didn't either.  How's Clyde
>>looking and what's Kersey's status?  Has Duckworth continued his
>>improved play and attitude?  What's a Whatley?

>Drexler and Kersey both sat out to rest up for the playoffs and to tend
>to relatively unimportant injuries.  Drexler had his knee drained about
>two weeks ago, now, and it hasn't been quite perfect since one of the Sonics'
>forwards fell on him (and it) his first game back from the drainage.  He
>has been able to play with the knee as it is, so it probably isn't much 
>of a concern.

I wish I could agree with you but, I'm a little more pessimistic about
Drexler.  He injured the knee sometime prior to the string of 5 big games the
Blazers had earlier this month (NY, Phoenix, Utah, GS, GS) but, I'm having
trouble recalling exactly when.  He played all 5 of those games with a brace
on his knee and maged to have a couple of superlative games but, was mostly
below par.  After the GS sweep he sat out one game against the Clippers but,
played the next night against Seattle.  Once again it was a below par effort
and to make matters worse, a Seattle player came down on Clyde with his good
leg bent beneath him.  Both legs were hit at once.  Of course, Clyde got up
and continued to play.  It was later reported that he could hardly walk after
the game.  Then came the call from Gaynell Drexler to Dr. Cook and he has
been on the sidelines ever since.  When you see him walk it is obvious that
he is limping.  If you limp when you walk running and jumping the way Clyde
does is in serious doubt.  Clyde claims that he has had slight improvement
after a few days of claiming none at all.  X-Rays have been negative.  They
show no ligament or Cartilage damage but how many time have you heard that
only to have arthroscopic surgery being performed within a month.  Just to
add a little to the pot, Clyde has a sprain in both of his big toes.
Painful, but not serious.

My take is that Clyde will try to play regardless.  He always does.  We'll
just have wait and see how bad the injury is.

>I'm not exactly sure what's wrong with Kersey, but it isn't even as serious
>as Drexler's condition.  From what I hear it's mainly the bumps and bruises
>that one gets when playing in the most competitive division in the NBA
>(that is, before the Atlantic Division race heated up).

Well Kersey's injury is certainly not as serious as Clyde's but he has a
sprained ankle which has been bothering him for the whole season and a
contusion of the left shoulder.  Jerome would also be a much more effective
player if these would heal somewhat - thus the time off.

I have the luxury of answering this mail after reading a bunch of reply's so
I know that you've already been told that Whatley was drafted in the same year
as Clyde - one spot ahead of him, was last year's CBA MVP, and has gotten
playing time as a result of Pack's injury.  He has done well with his
opportunity but, it's obvious that he's nervous when he's on the floor.  He's
a fine passer, drives well, but has limited range from the outside.  If he
overcomes his nervousness he will provide the same kind if dependable play
Danny Young used to give - sans the outside shot.
-- 

Jerry Orleck                                  

jerryo@ichips.intel.com  
Xref: sparky rec.sport.basketball.pro:8114 rec.sport.basketball.college:11777