Mickael Pietrus recovering from knee surgery, not looking to play abroad during lockout – NBA Update
For others, it might be a time of uncertainty and anxiety, but for the 6 ft 6in Phoenix Suns swingman Mickael Pietrus, lockout has proven to be a blessing in disguise.
Pietrus had a knee surgery in July and the lockout has given him sufficient time to fully recover from the injury.
According to his agent, Bill McCandless, Mickael who had an arthroscopic surgery on his right knee is doing fine at the moment. The procedure was minor and by the end of this month the talented Phoenix guard will be ready to start
from light training.
In a statement McCandless said, "One piece of loose cartilage was lodged in a spot that impinged his movement and caused him pain during the season. He says he's much, much better. The good news is he's been forced to work. He
has his strength back and no pain."
The 29 year old guard had trouble with his knee in the previous regular-season and when the pain got too serious, Pietrus had to sit out of court. Because of that Pietrus missed last 12 games of the regular-season.
It was French national team physicians who recommended Pietrus to go for the surgery when he joined the training camp of the squad which was preparing for the FIBA European Championship.
His agent also revealed that even though most of the NBA players are seeking opportunities in international teams to survive the lockout, Pietrus is not interested. Mickael will look to exercise this option only if the lockout
wipes out the entire next season.
McCandless said, “He just wants to get ready for the NBA season and hope for the best."
Mickael, who is also known by the name of “Air France”, played half of the 2010-11 season with Orlando Magic. He was part of a trade between the Suns and the Magic last year. Pietrus had a decent season with the Suns. He participated
in 59 games and scored at an average of 7.2 points per game on 0.392 percent shooting from the field.
Pietrus didn’t have a guaranteed contract therefore he had to use player option in order to stay with the Suns for the next season.
McCandless said, "He's good with being back in Phoenix or fine to be traded. He just wants to play."
McCandless also told that Pietrus will utilize this time to tweak his field goal shooting under the newly hired assistant coach of the Suns Elston Turner, who is also friends with him. If Pietrus is able to pull this off then it
will add spark to his game and demand in the league, once the lockout settles.
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