Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:I ruptured my Achilles 4 years ago.
Chauncey probably has no idea how hard and long the recovery period is, and how great the chance of re-rupture is. If he does come back he will never recover to be what he was. I stopped playing pickup games and to this day don't sprint all out because I never want to experience that pain again. I was on crutches for four months, and it took about a year-and-a-half to where I was about 90% recovered.
With Billups being 36 or so, I will be very surprised if he can make it back to the NBA. He will not be the same player, barring a miracle.
My initial thought was that he's probably played his last game. I know that it is difficult for any player to come back and resume where they left off. As Clipper fans, we've had a little experience in the past with players that came back from ruptured Achilles injuries, but they were younger.
I think that his determination and drive to not go out this way will benefit him. He could approach this in a defeated state or as an obstacle that he can surpass. I like his attitude about it. He'll know for sure what he wants to do after the surgery is completed and the rehabilitation process has begun. His thoughts may change at that point, but I can't fault him for fighting to overcome.