Ray Allen may have nasal surgery

Sonics' Allen should breathe fine soon

By JON PAUL MOROSI
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basket...41_sonx06.html

Ray Allen's breathing was a topic of conversation at Sonics camp on Wednesday, in ways literal and tactical.

He underwent a CT scan during the afternoon hours, with hopes of establishing a cause and treatment for sinus congestion he has experienced over the past three weeks. The results were not available Wednesday evening, but indications were that the likely sources (benign polyps) do not constitute a serious health concern. He participated in Wednesday's evening practice session, after the exam.

It appears, then, that Allen is unlikely to miss significant time during training camp. That should enable him to direct his respiratory efforts toward what new coach Bob Weiss has promised will be an amped-up, end-to-end offense.

The Sonics of Nate McMillan and Brent Barry attempted a similar approach two years ago, but abandoned it during a 37-45 season. In retrospect, Allen said Barry was capable of running a fast-break offense, but that he received "mixed signals" from McMillan as to the execution.

The key to such a system, then, is team-wide fidelity to the concept -- coaches and players included. As Luke Ridnour put it: "We have to preach it and do it, night in, night out."

"You have to be in better shape," Allen said. "You go down the floor, everybody's eyes are open wide. You know that the coach is allowing you to run up the court, not straight to the block.

"It's a blessing to have a coach that wants you to throw the ball ahead and score."

Allen is hip to the idea this season, citing as support the maturation of Ridnour and Nick Collison, two young players expected to figure into any up-tempo efforts. Allen called Collison a "good candidate" to start at power forward on the strength of his rebounding, although Weiss has said he prefers Collison to play probably between 25 and 27 minutes off the bench.

For his part, Ridnour predicted a transition offense would play into the strengths of Allen and Rashard Lewis.

"When you're running, no matter what (defensive) scheme they have, they can't get into it," said Ridnour, who made a philosophical reference to the Phoenix Suns. "That's huge for those guys."

Allen was able to practice Wednesday despite the sinus pain, which he indicated could be related to the change of seasons. He missed two games with a sinus infection last year, but his symptoms mellowed along with the weather. They returned three weeks ago, as the weather grew "overcast and dreary," he said.

Nasal polyps are usually benign and caused by allergies. If surgery is needed, athletes are usually able to return -- with improved breathing -- in a matter of days or one week. In fact, according to the Orange County Register, Sonics nemesis Bruce Bowen underwent a similar surgery while playing at Cal State Fullerton in 1990.

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In fact, according to the Orange County Register, Sonics nemesis Bruce Bowen underwent a similar surgery while playing at Cal State Fullerton in 1990.

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If anyone can tell me the former NFL player who paid for Bowen's surgery, I'd be impressed.

:smokin

Erick Dickerson

When I read the heading, I was thinking he's trying to improve his lil bitch image by having a surgery :lol :lol

Oh no, with this nasal congestion, he'll actually sound as whiny as he really is. :rolleyes

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Originally Posted by T Park

Erick Dickerson

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Nope.

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Originally Posted by timvp

If anyone can tell me the former NFL player who paid for Bowen's surgery, I'd be impressed.

:smokin

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Jim Brown?

So there is a medical reason for Ray Allen's choking? I'll be damned.

The reason for the polyps is unclear at this time but sources close to Ray say he's certain it's all Bruce Bowen's fault.

Sniff Sniff

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Originally Posted by timvp

If anyone can tell me the former NFL player who paid for Bowen's surgery, I'd be impressed.

:smokin

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I thought of another possibility. Mark Collins of the NY Giants was a CSF grad. How about him?

first a strained ovary now this....poor Ray. :lol

:lol

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Originally Posted by 2pac

So there is a medical reason for Ray Allen's choking? I'll be damned.

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:lmao :lmao :lmao

thankyou! there is now sweet tea all over my keyboard and screen!

Are y'all sure he isn't going in for his favorite Michael Jackson model?

Good, he'll be able to smell Bowen's armpits much better now.

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Originally Posted by timvp

If anyone can tell me the former NFL player who paid for Bowen's surgery, I'd be impressed.

:smokin

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I think there was a QB from there, but I can't remember who.

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I thought of another possibility. Mark Collins of the NY Giants was a CSF grad. How about him?

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No.

Maybe RayRay was snorting something he shouldn´t :nope :p

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Originally Posted by 2pac

So there is a medical reason for Ray Allen's choking? I'll be damned.

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:lmao

i think i just peed :lmao

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Originally Posted by ShoogarBear

I think there was a QB from there, but I can't remember who.

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Getting warmer.

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Originally Posted by SpurCapita

Oh no, with this nasal congestion, he'll actually sound as whiny as he really is. :rolleyes

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Yeah, I noticed he got his nose out of joint during the playoffs while Bowen was guarding him. :lol :lol :lol

What is the answer to the Bruce Bowen quiz, timvp?

I think Jerome James should get a nose adjustment this season when the Spurs play the Knicks.

http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spur...0/050330_3.jpg

Are you sure he is not having a tear duct transplant from all the crying he did last season?

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Originally Posted by Solid D

I think Jerome James should get a nose adjustment this season when the Spurs play the Knicks.

http://www.spursinfo.com/photos/spur...0/050330_3.jpg

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That's a total flop on Flopu Flopobli. Look at him flailing his arms to get a call. :rolleyes

^^ :lmao :lmao :lmao