tlongII
09-04-2009, 12:33 PM
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/09/blazers_brief_webster_cleared.html
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/09/medium_martell.ely.JPG
Martell Webster, shown cheering his teammates, missed all but five minutes of last season
He fell short in an attempt to return in time for the playoffs last season and he's been compelled to take things sloth-like slow this offseason, but the wait is finally over for Trail Blazers small forward Martell Webster.
The one-time Blazers starter has been cleared for all basketball-related activities, according to general manager Kevin Pritchard, and is poised for a return when training camp opens later this month.
Webster fractured a bone in his left foot last October and missed all but five minutes of the season during a longer-than-expected rehabilitation process that wiped away his fourth NBA season. It is unclear what role Webster will play on a team that has evolved substantially in his absence, but it seems likely he will battle last year's surprise -- Nicolas Batum -- for a starting job at small forward.
While that is September speculation, this fact remains: Webster's return -- which was expected -- is the equivalent of signing a free agent for a Blazers team that should be a Western Conference power this season.
Webster started 70 games in 2007-08, averaging a career-high 10.7 points per game while leading the Blazers with 123 three-pointers. His combination of exceptional outside shooting and improving defense prompted the Blazers to sign Webster to a four-year, $20 million contract extension just before his injury last year.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/09/medium_martell.ely.JPG
Martell Webster, shown cheering his teammates, missed all but five minutes of last season
He fell short in an attempt to return in time for the playoffs last season and he's been compelled to take things sloth-like slow this offseason, but the wait is finally over for Trail Blazers small forward Martell Webster.
The one-time Blazers starter has been cleared for all basketball-related activities, according to general manager Kevin Pritchard, and is poised for a return when training camp opens later this month.
Webster fractured a bone in his left foot last October and missed all but five minutes of the season during a longer-than-expected rehabilitation process that wiped away his fourth NBA season. It is unclear what role Webster will play on a team that has evolved substantially in his absence, but it seems likely he will battle last year's surprise -- Nicolas Batum -- for a starting job at small forward.
While that is September speculation, this fact remains: Webster's return -- which was expected -- is the equivalent of signing a free agent for a Blazers team that should be a Western Conference power this season.
Webster started 70 games in 2007-08, averaging a career-high 10.7 points per game while leading the Blazers with 123 three-pointers. His combination of exceptional outside shooting and improving defense prompted the Blazers to sign Webster to a four-year, $20 million contract extension just before his injury last year.