McCants has empathizer Suns star came back from same surgery http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/14991871.htm LAS VEGAS — Phoenix Suns star Amare Stoudemire knows how Timberwolf Rashad McCants is feeling. In October 2005, Stoudemire underwent the same microfracture knee surgery that McCants had June 16. It's a potentially devastating injury that is expected to keep McCants sidelined at least four to six months. Stoudemire played in only three games last season. He experienced a setback in March that shelved him through the playoffs. He was back on the court Friday, playing in an NBA summer league game at Cox Pavilion, part of what he considers his rehabilitation process. Stoudemire had microfracture on his left knee and then needed arthroscopic surgery on the right knee following his comeback attempt. He believes his right knee was injured because he was overcompensating for his left. "There were times, man, where I got so frustrated and felt 'Why me?' " Stoudemire said. "It's a hard rehab process. "What he (McCants) has to do is really take his time. You've got to exercise every day. You've got to look at it as a 9-to-5 job and work hard. When you're at home, you've got to stretch and take care of yourself. It's tough. But I'm pretty sure he can overcome it." Patience is the key, Stoudemire said. McCants must resist the urge to do too much too soon. "It's tough," Stoudemire said. "Once you get to the phase when you start running, you're like, how long will it take to start playing one on one? You might not be ready yet, but you want to play. Then you want to play five on five. It's a slow process. You've got to take your time." Stoudemire was named an all-star in 2004-05, when he went on to average 26 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.63 blocks. No one can say how long, if ever, it will take to regain that form. Other NBA players who have had microfracture surgery have had mixed results. New York Knick Allan Houston was never the same again and retired. Ditto for former Wolf Terrell Brandon. But Jason Kidd bounced back well and appears as strong as ever. It's also too soon to know how McCants' injury will affect him. He is still on crutches and has a long way to go before he will be able to resume any basketball activities. For his part, Stoudemire is playing in the Las Vegas Summer League to regain his playing shape and explosiveness. He had 21 points and eight rebounds Friday in Phoenix's 91-83 loss to the Wolves, led by 30 points from rookie Randy Foye. Stoudemire said he believes it might be just another "two or three weeks" before he is 100 percent again. He plans to compete in the USA Basketball senior national team tryout camp this month. The world championships will be held in August in Japan. "Each day I'm getting better and better," he said. "I'm able to play back-to-back nights. I'm able to go two-a-days now. That's the whole purpose of rehabbing this whole summer." Still, two or three weeks might be too optimistic. It took until 40 seconds left in Friday's game for Stoudemire to show his characteristic emotion and fire. After he blocked Adam Parada's two-handed dunk attempt, Stoudemire punched his right fist in the air and shouted. --

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