lal4l
11-13-2003, 11:46 AM
McDyess may make debut Friday
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- Antonio McDyess's long comeback may soon be complete.
The New York Knicks forward, who has endured three knee surgeries and played in only 10 games over the past two seasons, will return to practice Wednesday and can make his own decision as to when he is ready to play in games, Newsday reported in Wednesday's editions.
In fact, McDyess may return as early as Friday night against the Nets, the New York Daily News reported on Thursday.
"He looked pretty good to me," coach Don Chaney told the News on Wednesday after the power forward participated in his first full-contact scrimmage since fracturing his left kneecap 13 months ago.
"I can go when I'm ready," McDyess told Newsday Monday night in Cleveland, where the Knicks lost 94-80. "I don't need any approval. Last week, they kind of released me to do what I can.
"It's my call. If I do feel comfortable and I tell them I'm comfortable, I don't think they would look at me and say, 'Nah, Antonio, you aren't ready.' I definitely think they're just waiting for me to tell them, 'I feel great,' and step out there and play."
Knicks team physician Norman Scott cleared McDyess for contact last week.
"I don't know if we're going to do five-on-five, but I'm definitely going to do a lot of stuff with the team this week," McDyess said. "I think this week is a good week to get some practice in."
The Knicks face the Nets Friday night at Continental Airlines Arena, before hosting the Pacers, Celtics and Lakers.
According to the report, McDyess believes he can make a big difference for the Knicks.
"If I'm the old Antonio, I can," he told the paper. "But I don't want to put pressure on myself and go out there and try to be Superman. I just want to take it slow, and if my game comes back the way it was, I can help this team."
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- Antonio McDyess's long comeback may soon be complete.
The New York Knicks forward, who has endured three knee surgeries and played in only 10 games over the past two seasons, will return to practice Wednesday and can make his own decision as to when he is ready to play in games, Newsday reported in Wednesday's editions.
In fact, McDyess may return as early as Friday night against the Nets, the New York Daily News reported on Thursday.
"He looked pretty good to me," coach Don Chaney told the News on Wednesday after the power forward participated in his first full-contact scrimmage since fracturing his left kneecap 13 months ago.
"I can go when I'm ready," McDyess told Newsday Monday night in Cleveland, where the Knicks lost 94-80. "I don't need any approval. Last week, they kind of released me to do what I can.
"It's my call. If I do feel comfortable and I tell them I'm comfortable, I don't think they would look at me and say, 'Nah, Antonio, you aren't ready.' I definitely think they're just waiting for me to tell them, 'I feel great,' and step out there and play."
Knicks team physician Norman Scott cleared McDyess for contact last week.
"I don't know if we're going to do five-on-five, but I'm definitely going to do a lot of stuff with the team this week," McDyess said. "I think this week is a good week to get some practice in."
The Knicks face the Nets Friday night at Continental Airlines Arena, before hosting the Pacers, Celtics and Lakers.
According to the report, McDyess believes he can make a big difference for the Knicks.
"If I'm the old Antonio, I can," he told the paper. "But I don't want to put pressure on myself and go out there and try to be Superman. I just want to take it slow, and if my game comes back the way it was, I can help this team."