Desmond Mason out for remainder of the season
Well, crap.
“Mason, who has started 19 games for the Thunder, injured his knee with 4:02 left in the 3rd quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies. The injury is being called a hyper extension and will require arthroscopic surgery to remove debris from his knee.
“We are disappointed to lose Desmond for the remainder of the season,” said Presti. “He is a valuable part of our efforts on and off the court. We will support Desmond and work with him throughout the rehabilitation process. Unfortunately, the timing of the injury does not allow Desmond to return this season.”
Mason has averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game this year for the 11-35 Thunder.”
So what’s this mean? Well, first thinking says Damien Wilkins gets another crack at the first five and we get to watch his dead body get dragged around the court. But I wouldn’t put it past Scott Brooks to try and give Kyle Weaver extended minutes and/or try using Earl Watson/Chucky Atkins with Russell Westbrook. I don’t think he’ll move Kevin Durant back to the two and Jeff Green to the three. At least, I hope that doesn’t happen. And no, there’s really no help in Tulsa to look to. The 66ers are really thin at guard, and I’m not sure if Ronald Dupree can play the two (he’s 6-foot-7, 200 lbs and is Tulsa’s best player averaging almost 20 ppg). In other words, I have no idea what to expect. If I were to pick a scenario, I’d go with Weaver starting at the two and keeping everything else the same.
This really sucks because Desmond is such a leader for this team that he’ll be missed, most on the defensive end. He works hard, fights through screens, hits the boards and is a total effort guy. He’ll never light you up in the box score but he’s a good ballplayer. Best wishes to Desmond and here’s to a quick recovery.
