Funderburke out 6 months - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

MavsFanFinley · 09-19-2003, 11:31 PM

Kings forward sidelined at least six months by surgery

September 19, 2003

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Sacramento Kings forward Lawrence Funderburke will be sidelined at least six months after having surgery on his left Achilles' tendon.

Funderburke, who missed 16 games last season because of foot problems, had surgery Monday at the Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, team officials said Friday.

Funderburke had the operation to relieve chronic tendinitis, but during the procedure, doctors found a partial tear in the tendon. His leg will be in a series of casts through mid-January, then he'll start a six-week physical therapy program.

The 6-foot-9 power forward is in his seventh year with the Kings, the longest service with the team of any player on its current roster. He's averaging 6.4 points a game over that span.

Nash13 · 09-19-2003, 11:45 PM

There goes another part of the King's depth.

What will they ever do without the bench warmer?

MavsFanFinley · 09-20-2003, 12:00 AM

Funderburke is actually a tough guy and a nice backup to Webber. They have no one else besides Darius Songaila, who is a project and garbage minutes at best this year.

I just looked at there roster and they only have 13 guys under contract. They shouldn't have a hard time finding a vet to fill in.

Tyrone Hill
Walt Williams

Could they swoop in and snag Donnell Harvey maybe?

MFFL · 09-20-2003, 12:21 AM

I really don't see any frontcourt minutes available. Webber, Vlade, and Miller will suck them all up.

MavsFanFinley · 09-20-2003, 12:26 AM

I can't remember, but won't Webber miss the start of the season? Besides, they have no one to back Webber now. No one. What if he injures himself again during the season?

I doubt Petrie starts the season without adding a pf. Vlade is getting older and Miller will be the starter. Will they try to use Vlade and Massenberg as the centers with Miller filling in at pf?

MFFL · 09-20-2003, 12:34 AM

I thought that Miller would be doing the swing thing - a lot of time at center and a little time at power forward.

And I forgot that Webber would be out a few games early in the season.

Shaq Attack2 · 09-20-2003, 01:44 AM

Even if Webber it gone, Miller will probably take up the 4 and Vlade will of course stay at the 5. Then there's Massenburg, who as far as I can tell should be able to fill in either the 4 or 5 adequately, though certainly not through heavy minutes. The only question that remains is whether Songaila will be able to pick up the slack successfully, and my guess is probably not too well, but he's not playing big minutes so it may not matter a bit.

One other worry is Vlade's conditioning, which has hardly been exemplary as of late. I think he'll barely last through this year at a good 30 mpg, but who knows.

MavsFanFinley · 09-20-2003, 10:47 PM

Two steals for the Kings would be Vladimir Stepania and Donnell Harvey.

Tyrone Hill and Walt Williams would be nice vet additions to cover while Webber is out.

Even though Petrie is trying to save money, he must realize that Vlade is on his last leg. Otherwise, they wouldn't have cleared the bench out just to land Miller.

They're already walking the line by weakening the bench, they'd be fools if they do not add another big man that can handle backup duties behind Webber.

MavsFanatik33 · 09-21-2003, 03:37 PM

Who cares, Lawrence Funderburke sucks, I doubt he'll average more than 4 minutes a game. Yes, The Kings don't have depth like last year, but still...why would they put Finderburke in the game?