Knicks' Wallace Has Season-Ending Foot Surgery

He came out of retirement for this?

Rasheed Wallace returned to the court for the New York Knicks after retiring two years ago and may never play basketball again after season-ending foot surgery.
He suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot and hasn't played a game since December 13th when he originally injured himself in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He had surgery last Thursday after a new X-ray discovered that he had a fractured fifth metatarsal. The time frame for his return is eight weeks, but that is unlikely to happen after such a long layoff.
"It's somewhat of a blow because he's gone through so much work to try to get back out on the floor and now this happens. The only thing we can do now is think positive in terms of how the surgery is going to turn out," said coach Mike Woodson.
In 20 games Wallace averaged 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on a Knicks team that is full of aging veterans. A four-time All-Star, Wallace averaged 14.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 1,108 games (956 starts) over 15 seasons with Portland, Washington, Atlanta, Detroit, Boston, and New York.
Wallace was trying to get back to the team last month and a faction in the Knicks wanted to let the 38 year old go. But Woodson hasn't considered cutting the veteran.
"We know that the surgery was successful, now it's just up to him to rehab. He wants to play. That was the whole reason for bringing him. Unfortunately he's had this surgery. It happens. We didn't expect STAT to go through what he went through earlier in the year. The door is still open for Rasheed to come back and play. He's just got to put in the time and rehab and put in the time on the floor because he can help us in the long run," said Woodson.
References : New York Times and ESPN.
If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.

Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

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Rasheed Wallace's Mysterious Foot Problem Explained

Rasheed Wallace's mysterious foot sore is no longer mysterious.
The New York Knicks confirmed on Saturday that the 38 year old center has a stress reaction and chronic condition in his left foot.
Wallace is currently listed as day-to-day but the team is optimistic he won't be sidelined for an extended period of time. The Knicks are hoping that Wallace will be ready to return within the next couple of days, after their three game West Coast trip that began on Christmas against the Lakers.
Wallace has been wearing a walking boot on his left foot. He returned to the NBA after sitting out the last two years for unspecified reasons. Wallace insists that he was never retired and has made important contributions to the team.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the 7-foot veteran came down with a foot injury. His legs haven't dealt with pounding up and down the court in almost two years and he is heavier than when he was in his prime.
While also serving as a de facto defensive coach, Wallace has averaged 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 14.6 minutes. Several players have commented how essential Wallace's communication, either on the bench or on the court, has been to the Knicks' defensive success. This was the kind of leadership coach Mike Woodson was looking for when he reached out to Wallace to see if he was interested in resuming his career.
Wallace and Woodson had won a championship together in Detroit when Woodson was the top assistant on Larry Brown's staff. The Knicks' plan in the offseason was to augment their roster with playoff veterans, and ended up signing Jason Kidd and Marcus Camby, who is still suffering with plantar fasciitis. Wallace was signed just before the preseason and has been working his way back to NBA playing shape. Woodson has been careful not to push his older players, as he wants them at their healthiest for April.
If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

 Related articles

• Wallace helping Knicks on court and off