Bledsoe could be back soon
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
5:36
PM PT
By Pedro Moura | ESPNLosAngeles.com
This could've been Eric Bledsoe's best opportunity this season to prove to Vinny Del Negro that he's deserving of a significant role with the 2011-2012 Clippers.
With Chris Paul out for three games and potentially more and Mo Williams missing three of his own, Bledsoe likely would have stepped right into the Clippers' starting lineup at the point guard position had he been healthy this week.
Problem is, he's not. The Kentucky product tore the meniscus in his right knee during off-season workouts at home in Alabama in October and has missed the first four weeks of the season while recovering. His initial return date was projected to be 6-8 weeks from Dec. 9, which would put him on pace to play again anywhere from Friday to Feb. 3.
But Bledsoe says he's ready now. The 22-year-old has been working out strenuously since the weekend, he said, and feels he's ready to get back whenever the team training staff clears him for competition.
"I feel real good," Bledsoe said Wednesday, before the Clippers' home win over the Dallas Mavericks. "They could clear me right now and I could go out there and play like I never was hurt.
"I can play right now."
He worked out before the Mavericks game and looked comfortable on the court. But so did Paul, and he was held out of a third-straight game after straining his hamstring last weekend against the Lakers.
The Clippers are being cautious with both players.
"He's gonna start working out and see how his knee reacts," Del Negro said of Bledsoe on Wednesday. "Hopefully sometime in the beginning of February I'm expecting him.
"We'll just have to monitor that, but he's making good progress and we'll see how it goes."
Once Paul's back, it's not clear where Bledsoe is going to pick up a lot of minutes. Veteran Chauncey Billups and Williams have played behind Paul most of the time thus far, with D-League call-up Courtney Fortson playing some while Paul has been out.
Assuming Paul, Billups and Williams stay mostly healthy, Del Negro will have to utilize a three-guard rotation extensively in order to get Bledsoe on the court. He could also be trade bait once he shows teams around the league he's fully recovered.
He may not get another chance like the one he's missing out on now for a while.
"It's been a tough stretch, especially for me, not being able to play right away and now especially that Mo and CP have been out," Bledsoe said. "It's been real tough for me."
With Chris Paul out for three games and potentially more and Mo Williams missing three of his own, Bledsoe likely would have stepped right into the Clippers' starting lineup at the point guard position had he been healthy this week.
Problem is, he's not. The Kentucky product tore the meniscus in his right knee during off-season workouts at home in Alabama in October and has missed the first four weeks of the season while recovering. His initial return date was projected to be 6-8 weeks from Dec. 9, which would put him on pace to play again anywhere from Friday to Feb. 3.
But Bledsoe says he's ready now. The 22-year-old has been working out strenuously since the weekend, he said, and feels he's ready to get back whenever the team training staff clears him for competition.
"I feel real good," Bledsoe said Wednesday, before the Clippers' home win over the Dallas Mavericks. "They could clear me right now and I could go out there and play like I never was hurt.
"I can play right now."
He worked out before the Mavericks game and looked comfortable on the court. But so did Paul, and he was held out of a third-straight game after straining his hamstring last weekend against the Lakers.
The Clippers are being cautious with both players.
"He's gonna start working out and see how his knee reacts," Del Negro said of Bledsoe on Wednesday. "Hopefully sometime in the beginning of February I'm expecting him.
"We'll just have to monitor that, but he's making good progress and we'll see how it goes."
Once Paul's back, it's not clear where Bledsoe is going to pick up a lot of minutes. Veteran Chauncey Billups and Williams have played behind Paul most of the time thus far, with D-League call-up Courtney Fortson playing some while Paul has been out.
Assuming Paul, Billups and Williams stay mostly healthy, Del Negro will have to utilize a three-guard rotation extensively in order to get Bledsoe on the court. He could also be trade bait once he shows teams around the league he's fully recovered.
He may not get another chance like the one he's missing out on now for a while.
"It's been a tough stretch, especially for me, not being able to play right away and now especially that Mo and CP have been out," Bledsoe said. "It's been real tough for me."
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Arash Markazi
Arash Markazi joined ESPNLosAngeles.com as a columnist and writer after five years with Sports Illustrated. Markazi has also written for Slam, King, Vibe and Playboy and is on the board of directors for the Jim Murray Memorial Foundation. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/arashmarkazi.
Ramona Shelburne
Ramona Shelburne is a columnist and writer for ESPNLosAngeles.com. She spent seven years as a columnist and sportswriter at the Los Angeles Daily News. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ramonashelburne.
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