NBA Rumors: After playing a portion of last season with torn ligaments in his ankle, Taj Gibson, after offseason surgery, is being more cautious
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Taj Gibson is taking his rehab process a bit more cautious than usual this summer as he continues to recover from ankle surgery. That’s because he, without knowing, played a part of last season with torn ligaments in his ankle, which, to say the least, isn’t the norm.
After surgery, however, Gibson should be good just in time for training camp. Though, it appears, and rightfully so, that the doctors and Bulls will be bringing Gibson along slowly. Which should be good individually for Gibson and the Bulls in the long-term.
"[via Chicago Tribune]“When (the doctor) finally went in during surgery, he was astounded how I was able to still play,” Gibson said Saturday morning. “He said he never knew anybody who could play through so much pain. I just thought it was normal. He was surprised I was even able to run or lift off it. That’s how bad it was. But he did a great job. I was just blessed. The way they were all talking during the surgery and after the rehab, I’m lucky and optimistic.”Speaking at The Citi Taj Gibson Basketball ProCamp at Deerfield’s Joy of the Game, Gibson said he wants to start training camp in late September but that doctors, trainers and Bulls coaches and executives are preaching a cautious approach. Gibson said he is running and cutting and mostly performing one-on-one basketball drills.“The crazy part about it is (executive vice president) John Paxson came into the training camp and showed me the same exact surgery,” Gibson said. “It was like they tighten and really reconstructed the ligament. The ligament was completely torn off. So far, it’s been stiff and really tight. I really can’t turn it. Plus, I wear a better ankle support now.“The whole point is getting it stronger. The doctors said with more reps and running, it will get stronger. I’ve been doing mostly one-on-one and cutting off it. They’ve been slowing my progress. They don’t want me to rush. I’m in good shape but I’m doing what the doctor tells me to do. The doctor told I’m ahead of schedule. But he wants me to still be cautious and take my time.”"
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Gibson averaged 10 points and six rebounds per game last season, which actually was a bit of a step-back from his 2013-14 season, where he averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game. And while some of that could be attributed to the arrival of Pau Gasol, I’m sure his banged up ankle had a little something to do with his dip in numbers as well.
Nevertheless, as Gibson enters the seventh year of his career, including what he expects to be a full offseason of recovery, expect a much better version of Gibson than what we saw during the latter portion of last season.
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