Some reports coming out Rasheed Wallace is FAR from return....DAMN
Kenyon Martin anyone?
NEW YORK -- As the uncertainty surrounding Rasheed Wallace's left foot injury lingers, members of the New York Knicks organization fear Wallace will be out for an extended period, possibly for the entire season, two league sources told ESPNNewYork.com.
Wallace has been out since Dec. 15 with a stress reaction in his left foot.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson said last week that he hoped Wallace would begin running this week, but he told reporters in London on Wednesday that Wallace, 38, has yet to do so.
"He'll be back -- but when, I don't know," Woodson said. "We're gradually trying to get him back where he can run again so he can get back in a uniform. But when, we don't know when yet."
The Knicks are in a holding pattern with Wallace, according to league sources. There are some in the organization who want to pursue a free agent immediately to replace Wallace.
Among those being discussed internally is 35-year-old big man Kenyon Martin.
Others, including Woodson, who coaxed Wallace to end a two-year retirement and join the Knicks, want to give Wallace time to heal before making a move to replace him.
The team originally described Wallace's injury as a sore left foot, and he was listed as day to day. The team then clarified and called the injury a stress reaction after a report described it as a stress fracture.
When healthy, the 15-year veteran has provided a strong presence in the post for New York. Wallace also has given the Knicks a strong post defender off the bench. In 20 games, he's averaging 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.6 minutes.
When the injury first surfaced, Wallace said he'd aggravated a previous foot injury. As recently as late last month, the veteran said he expected to be back on the court.
When asked Wednesday about returning to the court, Wallace said, "It's not my call."
One source said Wallace is having trouble pushing off on his left foot.
"It's not looking good," the source said.
With Marcus Camby sidelined two to four weeks with a left plantar fascia injury, and Amar'e Stoudemire working his way back into form after offseason knee surgery, the Knicks are thin on the front line.
If the Knicks wanted to add a free agent, they'd have to cut a player on their 15-man roster.
Wallace's contract became fully guaranteed earlier this month. All 15 players on the Knicks' active roster have guaranteed contracts.
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/sto...ed-wallace-miss-rest-season-according-sources