West May Return In January

Posted by Ryan DeGama on Dec 18, 2010 124822 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F12%2F18%2Fwest-may-return-in-january%2FWest+May+Return+In+January2010-12-18+13%3A30%3A58Ryan+DeGamahttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D12482

Jessica Camerato has encouraging news on Delonte West, who is ahead of schedule on his rehab:

“I might be back a lot sooner than people think,” he told CSNNE.com following the Celtics-Hawks game. “I’m pushing for mid-January.”

West has been sidelined since breaking his right (non-shooting) wrist on November 24 against the New Jersey Nets.

Even though there is no timetable set for his return and there were initial projections that West could miss the majority of the regular season, West believes he will be back sooner than that.

“I feel wonderful, first and foremost,” he said. “I use a bone stimulator for 10 hours a day. I get this cast off in two weeks, but I’ve already started conditioning, shooting jumpers and working out already.”

CelticsHub Analysis: Don’t count your chickens. While with Cleveland, West recovered from a similar injury in relatively short order (missing only 16 games), but until the cast comes off we probably won’t be able to assess how much of West’s optimism is just that.

That said, given we’re approaching the new year, when injuries caught up with the Celtics last year and sent them into that 54-game funk, West’s return would go a long way towards stabilizing the second unit through the dark winter months – and providing insurance should Rajon Rondo’s wave of injuries fail to crest. Plus, the C’s go through a difficult stretch from the middle of January through the middle of February with two games against Orlando, as well as matchups with Miami, the Lakers, Utah and Dallas. That run of games could have significant impact on playoff seeding as the road to banner #18 will probably go through at least two of those teams.