All things About Gil's Return (edited thread title)

[JWizmentality]

When is Etan coming back???

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think its a mistake if he comes back in the next week or two. I think he should just go as hard as he can in practice for a few weeks to get his wind up somewhat, and his confidence in his knee. Come back in April when it's almost time for the playoffs, and come off of the bench, play btwn 20-25 minutes a game. Then when the playoffs hit, he's ready to rock.

However, if I'm Ernie Grunfeld, I'm not giving him a max deal if he can't prove to me that he can be the "Old Gilbert." I'm not going to give a huge contract to a guy who's not going to play...sorry bout it Gil. Come back and light someone up for 50 and we'll talk.

Soup, I agree with this.

Gil should take it extremely slowly. Ease into playing after at least two or three weeks of practicing. Maybe come back in a part-time role for a couple weeks and hopefully, by mid-April be in good condition just in time for the playoffs.

[Soup's Uncle]

You definitly gotta take it slow. If he comes back and hurts himself again, we gotta let him walk.

[RickRoll_inDC]

What I'm trying to figure out is, how Gil coming off the bench is any different than him starting? If he's ready to play, he should play, if he's not, then he shouldn't. Very simple. Some of you guys are fooling yourself with this sixth man bs. Gil at 80% is better than AD or RMJ starting. You guys are forgetting that at the end of this month we have Orlando and Detroit before we go on that last western road trip. I for one, want him in the starting lineup, ready to go by then. Honestly, we need him because im not so sure we can hold our playoff spot until mid April like some of you think we can.

Of course, this is hedging on the fact that he's healthy. If he's not, then "oh well" we'll try our best to make it through.

i think we can still beat quite a few teams without Gil, so I do agree that he shouldn't come back until he's 100% and should start right away. nicely said 'if he's ready to play, he should play'. It really is as simple as that. This reminds me of watching the BC vs. UNC game when Ty Lawson was fresh back. Sure, he was playing an on fire PG in Tyreece Rice, but he just couldn't keep up. Basketball is a sport where you really need to be quick in order to play the guard spot.

The bench guys have proven that they can play without Gil and Caron, so why not let them keep at it for a while until Gil too is confident enough to play full speed.

[MDStar]

You definitly gotta take it slow. If he comes back and hurts himself again, we gotta let him walk.

By this logic, I guess we shouldn't expect him back at all this season. All I'm saying is that now that he's cleared to practice with the team, he's healthy. If he wasn't he wouldn't have been cleared. How is it any different for him to go full speed in practice or full speed in a game as it pertains to his or any injury? He could reaggreviate or rehurt himself either way. If he's not ready, then he shouldnt be able to play or practice but if he his, let his arse play. That's all im saying.

Of course, this has nothing to do with his contract situation. This is only about bringing him off the bench or only 15 min per game. I just have not given up on this year yet. If he's healthy as i think he is and getting Butler back in the next week or two, we have as good a chance as anybody to make it to the finals. I just don't believe we can expect anything close if we hold both of guys out till the last week of the season and think they can just turn it on. Who knows, we might not even be in the playoffs at that point. I think, we need these guys back as soon as possible. That way we improve our seed, gain more confidence and incorperate both guys into the rotation. This needs to be done soon or not at all. The later they come back, the more realistic it is that the season will be a dud.

[ZonkertheBrainless]

I don't see any point in bringing Gil off the bench. Having Gil start will help the bench, because AD goes to the bench and helps that unit out with his ball distributing skills. Really, if he's going to play 20 minutes a game might as well be as a starter.

I also agree that he is at equal risk practicing as he is playing. If he can practice and has his head in the game, he should play. But I would cap his minutes at 30, MAX. Bring him in for six minutes first quarter, spot minutes in the second, six minutes in the third and then let him finish out the last six to eight minutes of the fourth. Something like that.

[jmrosenth]

Ernie needs to step in and mandate a minutes limit for Gilbert upon his return. Period, end of story. I also wouldn't play him in back to backs right away. Let him skip practices. Once Gilbert gets going, he'll want to go full throttle and management needs to assert its authority and make sure the coaching staff is cautious. If Gil has ANY knee soreness the rest of the way that isn't conditioning related then he needs to be shut down for the season.

[Soup's Uncle]

By this logic, I guess we shouldn't expect him back at all this season. All I'm saying is that now that he's cleared to practice with the team, he's healthy. If he wasn't he wouldn't have been cleared. How is it any different for him to go full speed in practice or full speed in a game as it pertains to his or any injury? He could reaggreviate or rehurt himself either way. If he's not ready, then he shouldnt be able to play or practice but if he his, let his arse play. That's all im saying.

He was cleared to play last time and retore his meniscus. All I'm saying, is he should go full blast at practice for a few weeks, and then step into playing in limited minutes.

[dobrojim]

Gil has been cleared to play but is "scared" to test out his knee. How long before we see him? What does this say about our med staff? **just announced on CSN

It says absolutely NOTHING about our medical staff.

In the same way that Caron's situation should not be
used by people here (who aren't doctors and have not
examined the subjects in question) to criticize that of
which they know so little.

sheesh

[dobrojim]

I hope the "being scared to play" doesn't really mean that he's afraid he won't be the old Gil, anymore. His words are definitely not comforting - there are a little too many mental machinations for someone who relies on supreme self-confidence.

it may take a little time for this to happen, but sooner or later
instinct will take over and he'll at least be attempting to do that
which he was used to doing.

That is my guess.

[Shanghai Kid]

I have no problem with Gil coming back as soon as possible. What really is the difference between him going hard in practice and him playing limited minutes in games?

The big thing, of course, is to limit his minutes. It's going to take a while probably for him to get everything going for him again. But if he's only playing limited minutes and he still gets hurt, than theirs something bigger wrong here and than you shut him down for the season.

[dobrojim]

Hopefully he practices, feels okay, and starts feeling more confident.

Can't think of many athlete's in Gil's situation who would admit to being scared or apprehensive, even if they are feeling that way. His total lack of pretense or BS is still kind of striking, even for someone like me who's been a fan for a couple years now. He just tells you what he's thinking at any particular time and lets the chips fall.

This is definitely an instance for which I admire that trait.

As much as I love Gil, there have been examples (too many?)
where I wish he would let discretion be the better part of valor.
But as I whole, I'll take him on my team every time.

[dobrojim]

-= original quote snipped =-



By this logic, I guess we shouldn't expect him back at all this season. All I'm saying is that now that he's cleared to practice with the team, he's healthy. If he wasn't he wouldn't have been cleared. How is it any different for him to go full speed in practice or full speed in a game as it pertains to his or any injury? He could reaggreviate or rehurt himself either way. If he's not ready, then he shouldnt be able to play or practice but if he his, let his arse play. That's all im saying.

Of course, this has nothing to do with his contract situation. This is only about bringing him off the bench or only 15 min per game. I just have not given up on this year yet. If he's healthy as i think he is and getting Butler back in the next week or two, we have as good a chance as anybody to make it to the finals. I just don't believe we can expect anything close if we hold both of guys out till the last week of the season and think they can just turn it on. Who knows, we might not even be in the playoffs at that point. I think, we need these guys back as soon as possible. That way we improve our seed, gain more confidence and incorperate both guys into the rotation. This needs to be done soon or not at all. The later they come back, the more realistic it is that the season will be a dud.

I agree with this with the caveat that both players and mgmt should
be cautious and think long-term.

with regard to this seasons prospects, even if they both come back
reasonably healthy, we could still lose in the 1st rnd (trying to be
realistic) especially if we remain in the 5-8 seed range with no
home court advantage. I'll still root for them and believe that they
COULD win in spite of that but I think that's reality. Does anyone
believe that DET or BOS isn't going to get help from the refs? And
Queen James too.

[AAEXPRESS]

The Wiz need to think long-term for both players. No need to rush either back. I say we hold them out as long as they can. We need to make sure Gil has no hesitattion out there on the floor.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

with regard to this seasons prospects, even if they both come back reasonably healthy, we could still lose in the 1st rnd (trying to be realistic) especially if we remain in the 5-8 seed range with no home court advantage. I'll still root for them and believe that they
COULD win in spite of that but I think that's reality. Does anyone
believe that DET or BOS isn't going to get help from the refs? And
Queen James too.

jim, I think the best bet is to draw Orlando in the playoffs.

If Washington can keep this #6 spot that would be their best hope to advance a round by taking out Orlando, and then anything can happen because the longer the playoffs go the more in shape and game form Gil and/or Caron will be.

I don't like the Wizards chances against Detroit at all. Boston and Cleveland will get a wide margin of calls if the Wizards have to face them. Boston/LA in the finals is what will make the league the most money. Kobe v Lebron would also be huge.

Washington's best shot would be to catch a break in round one and then maybe catch a tired Celtics team in round two. Washington's got their number, especially if Garnett is not at his best.

[nate33]

jim, I think the best bet is to draw Orlando in the playoffs.

If Washington can keep this #6 spot that would be their best hope to advance a round by taking out Orlando, and then anything can happen because the longer the playoffs go the more in shape and game form Gil and/or Caron will be.

I don't like the Wizards chances against Detroit at all. Boston and Cleveland will get a wide margin of calls if the Wizards have to face them. Boston/LA in the finals is what will make the league the most money. Kobe v Lebron would also be huge.

Washington's best shot would be to catch a break in round one and then maybe catch a tired Celtics team in round two. Washington's got their number, especially if Garnett is not at his best.

I agree completely regarding Orlando. I think we match up fine with Cleveland, but I'm worried about the refs. It's hard to win when you're playing 5 against 8. Orlando has the best combination of favorable one-on-one matchups and inexperience.

I'm not convinced that Detroit is so unbeatable either. They are killing teams in the regular season, but they're not really built for the playoffs. They have a lot of smart players who are perfectly executing a solid system. A good system can get you through the regular season when scouting is limited. In the playoffs, system takes a backseat to talent. When healthy, we have every bit as much talent as Detroit. Indeed, we might be better off facing Detroit than Boston. Boston has more talent than us and they'll get more favoritism from the refs.

[Soup's Uncle]

I think with Gil 100% at full steam, and Caron at 100% full steam, and with this bench we have now, we can match up with anyone in the east. I'm confident we can beat any of the other 7 teams.

But what about with just one of them.

Say we get Gil and no Caron. Sure we'll score more, but our D will suffer. Say we just have Caron...well we know we can beat Boston like that....but what about Detroit or Cleveland. Hell we got beat by Cleveland when they had frickin 6 guys a few nights ago.

It's so tough to call...it sucks. I just wish we were as healthy as the rest of the top Eastern temas cus we could be as good as them (better than some of them).

[nate33]

I think with Gil 100% at full steam, and Caron at 100% full steam, and with this bench we have now, we can match up with anyone in the east. I'm confident we can beat any of the other 7 teams.

But what about with just one of them.

Say we get Gil and no Caron. Sure we'll score more, but our D will suffer. Say we just have Caron...well we know we can beat Boston like that....but what about Detroit or Cleveland. Hell we got beat by Cleveland when they had frickin 6 guys a few nights ago.

It's so tough to call...it sucks. I just wish we were as healthy as the rest of the top Eastern temas cus we could be as good as them (better than some of them).

I'm sure we'll have Butler in the playoffs. Butler could probably play right now. He's just staying off of the hip longer to make sure it heals properly. I'm also not too worried about Butler reintegrating into the lineup. We all have seen how well the team plays with Butler on the floor.

I just don't know about Arenas. If he comes back, will he be 100%? And if he isn't, do we really want Arenas at 75%? I want the guy who can pin his ears back and drive the line at will. I want the guy who always converts on the fast break. I want the guy who nails a buzzer beater 3 at least once a week.

[wateryd]

long update from ivan.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2008/03/gilbertology.html

some highlights:

How was the knee after practice?
"Fine so far. We'll see how it acts tomorrow and in another day or two after I get some rest."

Do you have a timetable in mind?
"No. And truthfully, I don't think I'm going to make it back before Caron. It's not: hey, my knee feels good so I'm going to out and play tomorrow. It's not going to be one of those deals."

On what he was doing in practice today:
"Cutting, moving, pick-and-rolling - just doing the things you are used to doing out in the game flow. That is the only way you can simulate. Practice. Practice. Practice."

Antawn Jamison, who has known Gilbert since their days in Golden State, summed it perfectly when he was asked for his take on Gilbert's commnets about being "scared" to get back on the court too soon.

Jamison: "Gil can say he's scared and then come out and play tomorrow night. That's just Gilbert. When he gets out there, I can promise you that he won't be scared of anything."

[Soup's Uncle]

That post makes me feel a little better, but I still need to see Gil come out, light some people up, and not complain of soreness and stiffness.

I sure hope he's not rushing it.