Rasheed Wallace: I'll be back
Rasheed Wallace of the New York Knicks celebrates a three point shot against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. (Dec. 11, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
LONDON – Mike Woodson and Rasheed Wallace refuted a report that the veteran big man’s season might be over due to a foot injury.
Wallace hasn’t wanted to talk about his foot and usually tells the media to direct all questions about his health to Woodson and the Knicks’ medical staff. But at Thursday morning's shootaround, he addressed the report.
“No, my season ain’t over,” Wallace said. “I’m gonna be back. I’ve been laid off for three years, so one little foot injury ain’t going to stop me. I’m good.”
Wallace has been out five weeks with an acute stress reaction in his left foot that the Knicks originally called a sore left foot. When Woodson was asked about the report, he quickly dismissed it.
“He’ll play eventually,” Woodson said. “New news to me. That’s not coming out of our camp.”
Wallace has not been able to run yet and all indications are he won’t return anytime soon, which has sparked speculation that the Knicks might sign a free-agent forward, with Kenyon Martin’s name most prominently mentioned.
Woodson continues to say the Knicks haven’t discussed bringing in anyone. Woodson talked Wallace out of retirement and likely wants to give him a chance to return. The Knicks are a better defensive team with Wallace, who helped the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title.
“He’s getting treatment and doing what’s asked of him,” Woodson said. “We’re trying to get him back out on the floor.”
