Austin Reaves

[Kochaddict]

I'm Gumby, Damn it.

[Shocker Mama]

I'm Gumby, Damn it.

Gumby took another charge tonight.

[wufan]

I call him Mr Fantastic.

[shockmonster]

I have a feeling that if we have long term hopes for Austin, he is going to need to get surgery and sit a year to build up.

[IdahoShocker]

I have a feeling that if we have long term hopes for Austin, he is going to need to get surgery and sit a year to build up.

This. As much as I'd like him to be part of a potentially really special team next year, I think he would would personally be better served with a year off to get Ron Baker kind of strong. But obviously the medical/training staff know best. But just love Austin's mental toughness.

[AndShock]

If Landry would have been available last season, it seems like they were willing to put him on the floor even if it was just for the NCAA tournament. I think next year is sort of the same thing with Austin. That team is going to be way too freaking stacked with seniors and top talent and I don't think we should be keeping anything in our back pocket. National championship or bust.

[Steeleshocker]

This. As much as I'd like him to be part of a potentially really special team next year, I think he would would personally be better served with a year off to get Ron Baker kind of strong. But obviously the medical/training staff know best. But just love Austin's mental toughness.

I think the idea that Reaves can get as big as Baker is a bit far fetched. Ron played football and baseball as well in high school and had already filled out pretty well before he got here. Now I think that both Reaves and Shamet can both get a bit bigger and stronger, but they don't need to be huge to be All American candidates. Just strong enough to be able to take contact in the lane without getting injured and being able to finish.

Edit: I also don't think he should redshirt just for the purposes of trying to get stronger. If his health is a concern, absolutely redshirt. But if he's healthy he makes us better and we should try to have him available.

[Triticum aestivum L.]

Not a good match up for his first game back, but glad to see him on the floor. We'll need his court savvy and 3 pointers soon enough.

[wusphlash]

Austin won't be 19 until May. Additional weight will come naturally. I agree with Steeleshocker, unless it's due to a medical issues, I wouldn't redshirt him.

[shockmonster]

Of course it would be due to medical issues. If they don't allow him to spend time strengthening his shoulder, he will continue to nurse him along, waiting for the next time it pops out and he misses one or two more games. The shoulder joint doesn't allow him to build up because if lifts too much, it may pop out again. Shamet can build up in the off season and even lifting during the season. I doubt that Austin can lift very much weight because of the instability of the joint.

[1979Shocker]

He should be able to bulk up during the summer, assuming he's healthy. That would be around 4 months in the weight room. Surely, in that amount of time, he would gain a lot of upper body strength.

[proshox]

The kid has a strong base. If they can get him healthy enough to lift he will bulk up.

[shockmonster]

I could be wrong but your optimism that lifting for 4 months shows a lack of understanding of his type of shoulder injury. He has been able to do so little lifting because of his ongoing injury, and his probable need for additional surgery, means that 4 months of lifting is a drop in the bucket. Following surgery, he'll probably need to sit and heal, followed by lifting rehab beginning with dumb bells before he can seriously lift and you can tell by looking that his shoulders are weak and fragile. I have a feeling that if done right, his healing will be much longer than you do.

I had a friend who had that injury. It would pop out when running in the end. He had to wear a harness and was in effect a one armed football player. It never healed correctly and his off-season consisted of healing. His second year saw him rarely playing.

[SB Shock]

I have a feeling that if we have long term hopes for Austin, he is going to need to get surgery and sit a year to build up.

I wouldn't be surprised either if he would have whatever surgery he needs to get his shoulder fixed right and then spend next year as a redshirt to rehab and gain muscle.

[60Shock]

I have absolutely no medical background and only a little understanding of Austin's condition.

But, it is obvious to even a blind man that it is in his very nature to play a very aggressive brand of BB (which we all love) as he takes charges, jumps to the floor for loose balls, and exposes his body (shoulders) to injury.

And in my totally medical ignorance, it appears clear to me that until corrective medical action (surgery if that is what is required) is taken, along with a significant recovery period, he is very likely to continue to frequently re-injure himself like he has several times already this season.

Austin has a tremendous talent and naturally we want him and need him on the court. But at what risk?

I have all the confidence that GM will insist that the right thing be done, whatever that may be.