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The Woelfel World of Sports
February 2009
Thursday February 26, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 1:23PM CST on February 26, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL
It would be very easy for Caron Butler to call it a season.
After all, his team – the Washington Wizards – is a lot closer to getting the No. 1 overall pick in this summer’s NBA draft than they are to the playoffs.
The Wizards have a 13-44 record and rank dead last in the Eastern Conference standings. Only Sacramento, at 12-47, has fewer wins in the entire league.
So, while there might be a tendency for the Wizards and their fans to dream about the Draft Lottery -- and a shot at Oklahoma's marvelous big man Blake Griffin -- that isn't the case with Butler.
The former Park High School star continues to treat each and every game like it's his last one, clearly demonstrating his pride and professionalism.
In the last eight games, the 6-foot-7 Butler has scored at least 21 points in five of them. He had a 35-point performance against Indiana.
You can safely assume Butler, a two-time NBA All-Star, will turn in another top-shelf showing when he returns "home'' Saturday night. Butler and the Wizards will play the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center, starting at 7:30 p.m.
The game has been dubbed "Racine Community Night with the Bucks.'' As such, residents of Racine County are being given some sweet deals.
Tickets that are normally priced at $51 are $36. Tickets that are normally $29 are $16, and $24 tickets have been slashed to $11.
In addition, fans from Racine County will be allowed to sit near courtside before the game and get a close-up of Butler, his teammates and the Bucks warming ups.
And, after the game, Racine County fans will be allowed to go onto the Bradley Center court and shoot a free throw.
(More information on the game can be obtained by calling Bucks group sales rep Thomas Demeter at (414) 227-0584).
But the main attraction for Racine County fans on this night will be seeing Butler, who obviously knows how to play the game only one way -- the right way.
Monday February 23, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 3:43PM CST on February 23, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL
Not only does Michael Redd expect to be playing again next season, he fully expects to be playing at a high level.
Redd, the Milwaukee Bucks star shooting guard, tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee in a game against Sacramento on Jan. 24 and is out for the rest of the season.
Monday, Redd revealed he will have surgery on his left knee on March 3.
“I’m a little nervous; I’ve never had surgery before,’’ Redd said. “But my body is going to be even stronger next season.
“I’m going to come back better than ever.''
Redd said his surgery will be performed in Chicago by Dr. Brian J. Cole, an associate professor in the orthopedics department at Rush University Medical Center.
In 2004, Cole was chosen one of the "Best Doctors'' in America. He is also a team physician for the Chicago Bulls.
Redd said he consulted with some othr surgeons, including the renowned Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala., before choosing Cole.
Redd said he envisions the recovery period to be “between five and six months’’ and that he has every reason to believe he’ll be ready for training camp in October.
Redd, who had been waiting for the swelling to subside in his knee before having surgery, also disclosed surgery will be done only on the ACL and that the MCL tear will “heal on its own.’’
The 29-year-old Redd said his confidence for having a complete recovery has been bolstered by the fact that several other NBA players have undergone similar surgeries and bounced back nicely.
"Dwyane Wade (of Miami) has had knee surgeries and look how great he's playing,'' said Redd, who was leading the Bucks in scoring at 21.2 points per game. "Andrew Bynum (of the Los Angeles Lakers), Jamal Crawford (of Golden State), Willie Green (of Philadelphia) ... they've all had the same kind of knee surgery and are doing well.''
“What they can do with modern technology today is amazing.’’
Thursday February 12, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 11:46PM CST on February 12, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL The Green Bay Packers have released a statement saying they are looking forward to retiring Brett Favre’s No. 4 jersey. If you’re a Packers’ fan, you should be looking forward to that special occasion as well. Any objective observer has to admit Favre was one of the greatest players to ever don a green and gold uniform. The Packers brass, undoubtedly, will try to make Favre’s retirement ceremony a gala affair. Rest assured members of the Favre family will be in attendance along with several people who helped Favre fashion his legacy like former Packers general manager Ron Wolf and former Packers coach Mike Holmgren. There is one person, though, who definitely shouldn’t be anywhere near Lambeau Field on this occasion. And that’s Ted Thompson. Thompson is unquestionably the person responsible for Favre ending his Hall-of-Fame in-waiting career with the New York Jets. His bungling of the Favre situation was totally inexcusable. Does anyone truly believe that if Wolf, and not Thompson, had been in charge, Favre would have been jettisoned to the Jets or anywhere else? Wolf genuinely appreciated Favre’s immense contributions to the organization. Wolf fully understood all the blood, sweat and tears Favre expended for the team like playing hurt and re-working his contract so the Packers could have salary flexibility to keep or acquire other players. To the best of my knowledge, Wolf has never publicly commented on how he would have handled the Favre fiasco — until Wednesday. In an interview with WSSP (1250 AM) in Milwaukee, Wolf admitted he didn’t know all the details of Thompson’s decision to trade Favre, but he acknowledge that "It should have been up to Brett Favre.’’ Furthermore, Wolf — despite the continual lame arguments that Favre was washed up and was incapable of playing at a high level — added, "He was voted (by his peers) into the Pro Bowl. He must have done OK.’’ But Favre wasn’t done OK by Thompson. It was painfully obvious Thompson had his own agenda and didn’t give a damn about Favre. Just how little respect did Thompson have for Favre? According to Al Jones, a reporter for the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald and long-time friend of Favre’s, Thompson didn’t even have the decency to call Favre when he was traded. Instead, Jones told WSSP that Thompson informed Favre via a text message. How’s that for class and professionalism? Jones also noted in the interview that Favre doesn’t hold any animosity toward his former teammates and especially not toward the fans. That isn’t the case with Thompson. "Ted Thompson is the only reason he left Green Bay,’’ Jones said, later adding, "He’s got some harsh (feelings) toward Ted Thompson.’’ It’s safe to say Favre’s feelings toward Thompson aren’t going to fade away any time soon. They may never, and who can blame him? If Packers president Mark Murphy and his fellow execs want to make Favre’s retirement ceremony truly special for him and for PackerNation, the least they can do is send Thompson on a scouting trip that day — preferably out of the country. Thursday February 5, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 6:52PM CST on February 5, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL It is almost surreal. For the Milwaukee Bucks, a season that seemed so promising has suddenly turned into an absolute nightmare. Last week, the Bucks lost the services of Michael Redd, their star shooting guard who tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. He is out for the season. Wednesday, Bucks officials announced that starting center Andrew Bogut has an incomplete fracture in the lower back. Bogut will be out for eight weeks, at least. Thursday, the Bucks suffered yet another injury. Starting point guard Luke Ridnour fractured a bone in his right hand and will be out indefinitley. Ridnour, whom the Bucks acquired over the summer from the Oklahoma City Thunder, got injured during practice when he collided with some teammates. Power forward Charlie Villanueva also hurt his ankle in the incident, although his injury isn't believed to be serious. That practice occurred shortly after the Bucks traded one of their backup guards -- Tyronn Lue -- to Orlando for shooting guard Keith Bogans. Ridnour has started 49 games this season, averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 assists. Bucks general manager John Hammond refused to comment on the Ridnour injury.
Wednesday February 4, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 1:34PM CST on February 4, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL Center Andrew Bogut won't be wearing a Milwaukee Bucks' uniform any time soon this season -- if at all. Bogut, who has been plagued by back problems, has been diagnosed with an incomplete lower back fracture. Bucks general manger John Hammon said Bogut won't play until at least late in the regular season. "Andrew will be out for eight weeks,'' Hammond said Wednesday afternoon. "Andew's been playing with pain, and you really appreciate the effort he's given in trying to help our team.'' Hammond said Bogut's condition will be re-evaluated at that point. Bogut , considered one of the best all-around centers in the NBA, has appeared in 36 games this season, averaging a double-double with 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. He is also shooting 58 percent from the field. Losing the 24-year-old Bogut is the second major blow the Bucks have incurred this season. Star guard Michael Redd recently tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and is out for the season. Without Bogut and Redd, the Bucks (24-28) will be severely challenged to hold on to the eighth -- and final -- spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Hammond said he would continue to "explore all avenenues'' to improve the Bucks and keep their playoff hopes alive, includng the possibility of making a trade. The NBA's trading deadline is Feb. 19. Tuesday February 3, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 3:21PM CST on February 3, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL For the last six weeks, Andrew Bogut has tried to deal with excruciating back pain, hoping it would eventually subside. But that hasn’t occurred and now Bogut’s frustrating-filled season might just be over. Bogut, who played briefly in the Bucks’ last two games after having missed eight straight games for what was then described as back spasms, underwent a battery of tests Monday. The results were expected to be announced today, but Bucks general manager John Hammond, reached in East Rutherford, N.J., said he hadn't received them as of Tuesday afternoon. However, there are growing whispers that Bogut can't play anymore without experiencing intense pain and will sit out the rest of the rest of the season -- or close to it. It is believed that if Bogut rests his back, he should fully recover and won't have to undergo surgery. Bogut, who didn’t travel with the team to East Rutherford, N.J., for tonight’s game against the Nets, wasn’t available for comment Bogut has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. He also had hip problems and a bad bout of migraine headaches. When Bogut has been on the court this season, he has played well, averaging a double-double with 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. If the Bucks lost Bogut for the rest of the season, it would be the second significant setback the Bucks have suffered in recent weeks. Earlier, star shooting guard Michael Redd was ruled out for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. Without Bogut and Redd, the Bucks' chances of making the Eastern Conference playoffs would be severely impacted. The Bucks currently have a 24-27 record and are in the eighth – and final – playoff spot. |
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