Short-handed is normal

That’s the news from the Bullets today and yesterday: Don’t waste your time looking for a rescue ’cause it ain’t comin’ any time soon. With Gilbert Arenas out and Deshawn Stevenson and Antonio Daniels hobbling around on aching wheels, the Bullets need Caron Butler back in the worst possible way. Washington has lost 10 of their last 12 games and plays in New Orleans and Houston the next two nights against two of the hottest teams in the NBA. Unfortunately, there will be no Caron against the Hornets or the Rockets. And perhaps for a lot longer than that.

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said yesterday that he and the team’s medical staff is considering having Caron Butler almost entirely scrap rehabbing in hopes that rest will help the forward’s strained left hip flexor heal more quickly.
Today when the Wizards took to the air for back-to-back road games at New Orleans…and Houston… they left Butler behind. Butler has missed the last eight games, and 11 of the last 13, with that hip injury. Nearly every day, however, he has taken the court to test it, either with light calisthenics or light shooting. He still remains far from returning, so now the Wizards are trying a different course of action.

Meanwhile, don’t expect to see Gil back in a uniform any time soon.

“It may take me longer to get in shape,” said Arenas, who has missed all but eight games this season after having knee surgery in November. “That’s why I’m out there with Nick [Young] trying to get some rhythm back in my legs, get some cardio in and that’s all I’m working on. Truthfully, it’s hard to tell. If I really wanted to get out there, I can go play now, but you’re going to get two good minutes out of me right now. But I’m trying to get in shape, get my body used to playing again.”

So Butler’s injury is so serious that having him work out on it, in the opinion of the team medical staff, not helping at all. Only rest and THEN rehab will get Butler back in the lineup. A surer thing, presumably, but also more time-consuming. As for Arenas, it’ll be gravy for Washington if he returns at all next month.
The Bullets must be the unluckiest franchise in the NBA. Last season was destroyed by injuries to all 3 of their top players. It looks like injuries are moving closer to claiming this season, as well.