Redd Back In Business
After a lengthy rehabilitation and recovery following surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee, Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Michael Redd relished his opportunity to be back on the court Monday night against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Two seasons ago, playing against the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 24, 2009, Redd sustained a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee that put him on the shelf for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season. Less than one year later, against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 10, 2010, Redd’s surgically repaired left knee gave out on him once more. Over 14 grueling months later, Redd is finally back in a Bucks’ uniform.
After being listed as active for the first time all season Saturday against the Chicago Bulls, Redd got his first taste of live-game action Monday night in Charlotte.
"This is probably one of my greatest games ever to come back from two [major knee injuries]… Just to be on that court tonight," Redd said. "This is one of the proudest moments of my career.
"I had a blast out there with my teammates."
Redd, who wasn’t sporting a brace on that left knee, resembled Usain Bolt more than a basketball player upon his return to the court with 9:53 left in the first quarter against the Bobcats; sprinting to the scorer’s table to check into his first game action in 442 days.
"John [Salmons] picked up two quick ones tonight so it was the perfect opportunity to get Michael out there early in the game and get his feet under him a little bit," Bucks’ coach Scott Skiles said after the contest.
After that long of a lay-off, Redd was understandably jittery before the coach called his name off the bench.
"I just wanted to calm down, make sure I didn’t trip over my warmups," Redd said with a smirk after the game. "But it was a great feeling to come back."
While he failed to score a basket in 15 minutes, Redd dished out four assists in the first quarter alone, and had a team-best +/- of +11. Coach Skiles said after the game that he thought Redd looked fluid out there on the court in his first action this season.
"I thought Mike [Redd] moved around well," Skiles said. "He didn’t get many opportunities but he looked well and played well."
{AUTHOR_BOX}After the contest, Redd said he didn’t have any pain or discomfort in that left knee.
"I feel great," he said. "It’s been a long time."
A 20.2 per game scorer over the span of his 10-year career, it could be only a matter time before the Bucks’ sharpshooter regains the three-point stroke that vaulted him to fifth on the Bucks’ all-time scoring list.
"Whatever I can [do to help the team]," Redd said. " Leadership, on and off the court. Whatever coach asks me to do. Tonight was jumping into the pond, getting my feet wet, getting back to playing basketball. We have nine games left so I’m just trying to fit into this group, not trying to do too much, just let it flow.
"As time goes on though – as I progress – I’ll find a rhythm."
Bucks’ fans are hoping the return of the likes of Redd and power forward Drew Gooden (plantar fasciitis) from injury will provide enough of a spark for Milwaukee to find it’s way into the postseason for the second straight year. Regardless of what happens next, Redd isn’t taking his opportunity to be a professional basketball player again for granted.
"Just to be out there," Redd said, "this is probably one of the best nights of my career."
Even after such a tumultuous two years, Redd remains positive and in good spirits. Regardless of your team affiliation, it’s hard not to find yourself rooting for the guy to succeed.
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