Off the Court News

Some off the court news was learned this week:

Bad news on the center front. Joel Przybilla, who was already out for the season, has re-ruptured his patella tendon. As released on IAmATrailBlazerFan.com:

PORTLAND, Ore. – Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla will undergo surgery on his right patella tendon in the next few days.

Przybilla re-ruptured his right patella tendon Saturday morning after slipping in the shower at his home in Milwaukee, Wis.

He returned to Portland today to undergo an MRI, which revealed the rupture.

Przybilla originally ruptured the tendon in a Dec. 22 game at Dallas. He underwent season-ending surgery on Dec. 24 and was in Milwaukee rehabilitating the injury.

No timetable is available for his return to the court.

We have received another update regarding Przybilla's surgery:

PORTLAND, Ore. - Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla underwent successful surgery this evening to repair a re-ruptured right patella tendon.

Dr. Don Roberts performed the two-hour procedure at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Wash.

No timetable has been set for his return to the court.

Przybilla originally ruptured his right patella tendon in a Dec. 22 game at Dallas and underwent season-ending surgery on Dec. 24. He re-ruptured the tendon March 6 after slipping in the shower at his home in Milwaukee, Wis., where he was rehabilitating.

Przybilla, 30, averaged 4.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.43 blocked shots in 30 games (nine starts) this season before the injury. A six-year Trail Blazer, he ranks sixth in franchise history with 593 blocked shots.

While we are extremely happy to hear that Joel's surgery was successful and he is resting well, this is a major blow for the Blazers. No timetable has been set but I think it's safe to say that Przy might not be back on the court for the start of the 2010-2011 season. Joel is in a contract year where he can opt out if he wants but I think he will be staying with the Blazers because there is no market for injured centers. Joel is a tough guy so I think we will see him back on the court but it's going to be a long process. Przy is getting up there in age and an injury like this where you're dealing with a re-rupture takes a toll physically and mentally. We can only hope Joel is able to make a strong recovery and get back out on the court!


Thank goodness we acquired Marcus Camby! He becomes a free-agent this summer but hopefully he will have enjoyed his time in Portland and be willing to re-sign with us next year meaning he and Oden will dominate for us at the 5 spot. 

Also, though no longer a Blazer we still love Steve Blake and we wish to offer him and his wife Kristen the biggest congratulations as they are preparing to welcome Baby Blake # 3!! Kristen announced on her twitter tonight that she and Steve are expecting a baby boy! 
Via Kristen's twitter:
Steve and I are excited to welcome Baby Boy Blake #3 this August. Yup-another boy!! Steve wants his own bball team. We're gettin there. =)
CONGRATS BLAKEY FAMILY!
Lastly, last week Blazers signed guard, Travis Diener!

Diener has career averages of 4.9 points per game, 2.5 assits per game and 1.4 rebounds per game. He will be wearing jersey number 27 for the Blazers. Though it looks like this signing was just to provide a back up veteran point guard in case Andre Miller goes down, we welcome Travis to Portland none the less. I am a little disappointed that this move makes it seem like Nate has little trust in Patty Mills and it definitely means that Mills will continue to see little to no playing time but we wish Travis the best and hope he does great things in his time here!
That's all your off the court news for now!