Jefferson May Return if Nets Make Playoffs

[NNpF]

More good news for the Nets:

Jefferson may return if Nets make playoffs


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New Jersey Nets forward Richard Jefferson will meet with team doctors and officials this week to discuss the possibility of returning to action, three months after surgery to repair a ruptured ligament in his left wrist.

Jefferson, who had surgery Jan. 20, has yet to practice with the Nets, who are still in a battle for a playoff berth entering the final week of the regular season.

Nets coach Lawrence Frank said Jefferson will meet Monday with Dr. Charles Melone, the hand surgeon who performed the operation. Frank also said that Jefferson and Melone would meet with team president Rod Thorn, general manager Ed Stefanski and trainer Tim Walsh to discuss an early return from what had been described as a season-ending injury.

Jefferson and Thorn said the meeting might be Tuesday or Wednesday.

However, Frank said the Nets need to be prudent when making a decision on Jefferson, who was averaging team-highs of 22.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 41.1 minutes when he got hurt on a hard foul by Detroit's Chauncey Billups on Dec. 27.

"You can't be foolish," Frank said. "The guy has been out three months for a reason, it's not like he's tweaked an ankle. You can never say any guarantee. If it is not where it's the smart thing to do, you can't put someone out there risking further injury."

Thorn also insisted the Nets will be cautious with Jefferson, who signed a $78 million contract extension last summer.

"He is not ready to play quite yet, so we will see," said Thorn, who added there is a chance Jefferson might be ready for the playoffs, should the Nets make it that far. If the doctors gave him the OK, Jefferson said he would play in the Nets' final two regular-season games, at home Tuesday night against Washington and at Boston on Wednesday night.

Jefferson met with the doctors Saturday. He said they would test his hand strength this week.

"I feel good," Jefferson said. "Whether it's for the last two games or just the playoffs, I'm extremely close to being where I want to be."

Jefferson said if the Nets are in the playoffs, he will play.

Thorn wasn't so sure.

"We'll just wait and see now," Thorn said.

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2039510

[Indy]

It doesnt matter, they will still lose to the Heat in the first round.

[John WB]

Anything can happen. I'll be rooting for the Nets no doubt.

Come on upset!

[cyanide]

It's possible that Jefferson's return could screw up the team's chemistry, but with Kidd in charge, they'll be dangerous. But still, as long as Shaq's healthy, New Jersey's not going anywhere.

[Fitzy]

I hope Jefferson does make it back for playoffs

[frAn]

i hope the nets make the playoffs and beat the heat.

[Amphatoast]

so many heat haters out there.. i really wanna see shaq win a title in his first year out of LA.. make Kobe watch how a true team leader leads

[furious1]

so many heat haters out there.. i really wanna see shaq win a title in his first year out of LA.. make Kobe watch how a true team leader leads

By being out shape and then demanding a 4 year $100 million contract in front of a national audience? I think Kobes has seen that already.

[fgrep15]

^
Yea I don't know why people are hating on them...

[iG®]

as long as Shaq's healthy, New Jersey's not going anywhere

Hehe,Curly will stop him,trust me.

[Matt]

they could push the Heat though...Kidd & Carter will make Heat earn their wins.

[_marsal]

I still don't know which team i will cheer for. I like both the Nets and Heat..It'll be a fun series to watch..

But let's not count the Cavs out just yet...Anything can happen in these 2 games..

[-BHZMAFIA-]

I would loev to see Jefferson come back, then the Nets will have the oppurtunity to upset the Heat in the first round. I mean they will have 3 all-star type players on their team along with Cliffy. It will make a great matchup though if Jefferson can come back at full strength.

[NNpF]

I still don't know which team i will cheer for. I like both the Nets and Heat..It'll be a fun series to watch..

But let's not count the Cavs out just yet...Anything can happen in these 2 games..

Which is why this is good news, it says he could play in New Jersey's last two games.

That will definitley help them get into the playoffs and then at least give the Heat a series to remember.

[j.23]

jefferson won't have the stamina.. from what i heard he hasn't worked out in months meaning his arms aren't at full strength which means that more likely than not his shot will be off. don't mean to sound like a pessimist, but jefferson will probably be like stojakovic in the 2001-2002 playoffs - a contributor but not a significant one

[T-Comm55]

NJ Nets will have the depth in the roster if Jefferson comes back but it will be hard to beat Shaq and the heat.

[Bang]

I'd say he shouldn't be back.
Even if he is healthy, you're basically facing an inevitable defeat against the Miami Heat. (Or Detroit Pistons...if Philadelphia loses the remaining games.) I think he should rest up and be prepared for next season.
Also, RJ hasn't even practiced with the team yet.
It will be hard to adjust back.

[Bang]

And NJ beating the Heat? Seriously just look at the record. I think that's enough said.
Oh yea, and NJ has no front court whatsoever -_-;;.
Finally, but not least, a 1-8 upset has happened twice? I think. It isn't happening unless Shaq is injured throughout the whole round.

[NNpF]

I'd say he shouldn't be back.
Even if he is healthy, you're basically facing an inevitable defeat against the Miami Heat. (Or Detroit Pistons...if Philadelphia loses the remaining games.) I think he should rest up and be prepared for next season.
Also, RJ hasn't even practiced with the team yet.
It will be hard to adjust back.

So you're saying after how hard they fought to get into the playoffs they should just say "You know what RJ, we can't win, just sit out"?

I don't care how many times it happened and how far ahead the Heat are, this is an entirely different Nets team, it will be a tough series but giving up after fightingso hard to get into the postseason is just stupid.

[J@3]

so many heat haters out there.. i really wanna see shaq win a title in his first year out of LA.. make Kobe watch how a true team leader leads

By being out shape and then demanding a 4 year $100 million contract in front of a national audience? I think Kobes has seen that already.

nice one

[John WB]

People thought the same thing about the Lakers and Pistons last year. Look how that turned out. It ain't over until they play the games.