Austin Reaves

[OregonShocker]

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.

Unless you are an orthopod with inside knowledge of Austin's specific injury, there's a LOT of speculation/assumption in this. Bottom line: the medical staff entrusted with Austin's care knows best what to do for him. I'll let them guide the young lad.

[shockmonster]

Unless you are an orthopod with inside knowledge of Austin's specific injury, there's a LOT of speculation/assumption in this. Bottom line: the medical staff entrusted with Austin's care knows best what to do for him. I'll let them guide the young lad.

I agree with you that I'll have no influence on what happens. :) However, if not given time and patience, I fear that Austin will be a bench role player who gives good minutes when he plays, but is not the go to player his potential talent is showing us he could be in the future.

[ShockdaWorld]

No. Just no.

[shockmonster]

I should have added that his Injured time will increase. Bad news is often unwelcome. :)

[OregonShocker]

I agree with you that I'll have no influence on what happens. :) However, if not given time and patience, I fear that Austin will be a bench role player who gives good minutes when he plays, but is not the go to player his potential talent is showing us he could be in the future.

I don't believe "bench role player" is the goal of the medical staff that allowed Austin to return. Let's trust them.

[ShockdaWorld]

What is this "news" of which you speak?

[shockmonster]

I don't believe "bench role player" is the goal of the medical staff that allowed Austin to return. Let's trust them.

I would say you are correct. I've heard that surgery immediately following our season is under consideration. It could also be that Austin has no good options to make his shoulders better and surgery is by passed (medical staff, coaches, and family) and he just has to make the best of a bad situation. Don't forget that this has happened to both shoulders. It really is a unique and uncommon injury.

[1972Shocker]

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.

Your knowledge of medicine is no worse than mine or the great majority of the ShockerNet community. I would point out that he has had two surgeries already and that has apparently not resolved his issues. If he needs another surgery would seem to indicate he has had another damging injury that needs to be fixed. Whether surgery in and of itself is enough is not clear at all IMHO.

[shockmonster]

I'm hoping for a new surgical technique that can be tried on him. A career of just waiting and worrying for the shoe to drop (the shoulder to pop out again), and our star basketball player to miss a game, or two, or three isn't the way to live for Austin or the coaching staff. It's happened twice this year. I want to be optimistic but this is not a good omen for a Freshman.

[wusphlash]

I'm surprised that Austin is only shooting 36% from 2. Certainly some of that is due to not being strong enough. However, there have been a number of close shots he simply missed. When (not if) he gets that part of his game going, what fun.

[wufan]

I'm surprised that Austin is only shooting 36% from 2. Certainly some of that is due to not being strong enough. However, there have been a number of close shots he simply missed. When (not if) he gets that part of his game going, what fun.

AR still plays like a freshman in traffic. Often times he picks up the ball and makes a pass fake...if the D doesn't buy it, he gets in a little trouble. Handles are a bit loose for a PG as well.

[shockmonster]

AR still plays like a freshman in traffic. Often times he picks up the ball and makes a pass fake...if the D doesn't buy it, he gets in a little trouble. Handles are a bit loose for a PG as well.

I agree with you but I'm not sure if his problem is being a Freshman or a lack of strength. He's a nifty ball handler if things aren't very physical. When the game or his defender gets physical, he struggles to take the contact without a turn over. First half he was great. The 2nd half was exactly the opposite.

[asiseeit]

If this kid comes back next year ten pounds heavier and a
healthy shoulder the sky is the limit. His only problem will
be playing behind LS and CF

[shoxilla]

looking more and more like a RS is in order, maybe the best thing to ever happen to him

I mean, good night Irene, can you imagine a healthy, strong AR ?

[Dan]

looking more and more like a RS is in order, maybe the best thing to ever happen to him

I mean, good night Irene, can you imagine a healthy, strong AR ?

Landry Shamet is a perfect example of what can happen when you have talent + year to bulk up and get ready for D1, if Ron Baker wasn't a good enough example.