Mr.Bottomtooth
07-01-2008, 10:32 PM
Watson breaks thumb, could miss four months
Point guard Earl Watson broke his right thumb in workouts Tuesday and he could miss three to four months, meaning he should be back by training camp, but it may press Russell Westbrook into immediate duty. Watson will have surgery on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Now the Sonics had a logjam at point guard after drafting Westbrook last week, but the question is whether Watson's injury changes their plans with perhaps dealing him or Like Ridnour this summer. Westbrook has got to play next season, so it's highly unlikely the Sonics break camp with three point guards because the third one probably isn't going to play.
The Sonics desperately tried to get time for Mike Wilks over the past two seasons but couldn't and the club is not going to pay $6.5 million (Ridnour's salary in 2008-09) or $6.2 (Watson) for a third point guard. Watson is a fast healer and it's no shock that he injured the thumb while working out in Los Angeles, probably at UCLA.
Here is the release:
SONICS GUARD EARL WATSON SUFFERS BROKEN THUMB
SEATTLE, Tuesday, July 1, 2008 – Seattle SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti announced today that guard Earl Watson suffered a fracture of the right thumb while preparing for the upcoming season in a basketball game in Los Angeles. The injury has a typical recovery period of three to four months. Watson is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday, July 3 in Los Angeles.
"We are confident Earl will work hard towards a healthy and timely recovery and look forward to getting him back on the court," Presti said.
Last season, Watson averaged career highs in points (10.7), assists (6.8), rebounds (2.9) and minutes (29.1). Over his seven-year NBA career, Watson has averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.5 apg and 2.2 rpg in 529 games.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/sonics/archives/142467.asp?source=rss
Point guard Earl Watson broke his right thumb in workouts Tuesday and he could miss three to four months, meaning he should be back by training camp, but it may press Russell Westbrook into immediate duty. Watson will have surgery on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Now the Sonics had a logjam at point guard after drafting Westbrook last week, but the question is whether Watson's injury changes their plans with perhaps dealing him or Like Ridnour this summer. Westbrook has got to play next season, so it's highly unlikely the Sonics break camp with three point guards because the third one probably isn't going to play.
The Sonics desperately tried to get time for Mike Wilks over the past two seasons but couldn't and the club is not going to pay $6.5 million (Ridnour's salary in 2008-09) or $6.2 (Watson) for a third point guard. Watson is a fast healer and it's no shock that he injured the thumb while working out in Los Angeles, probably at UCLA.
Here is the release:
SONICS GUARD EARL WATSON SUFFERS BROKEN THUMB
SEATTLE, Tuesday, July 1, 2008 – Seattle SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti announced today that guard Earl Watson suffered a fracture of the right thumb while preparing for the upcoming season in a basketball game in Los Angeles. The injury has a typical recovery period of three to four months. Watson is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday, July 3 in Los Angeles.
"We are confident Earl will work hard towards a healthy and timely recovery and look forward to getting him back on the court," Presti said.
Last season, Watson averaged career highs in points (10.7), assists (6.8), rebounds (2.9) and minutes (29.1). Over his seven-year NBA career, Watson has averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.5 apg and 2.2 rpg in 529 games.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/sonics/archives/142467.asp?source=rss