McDyess might make opener

After months of uncertainty regarding the health and future of Antonio McDyess, the Knicks have finally received encouraging news about their injured power forward.

A CAT scan taken last week revealed that McDyess' surgically repaired left knee is 90% healed, according to a person close to McDyess.

The same source added that McDyess expects to be given clearance to begin practicing by the end of the month and that he could start the regular season on the active roster.

The Knicks have declined to give a timetable for McDyess, which has fueled speculation that he would not return until January. Yesterday, the team would neither confirm nor deny the results of the CAT scan, maintaining its policy not to give medical updates on its players.

However, Knicks spokesman Joe Favorito admitted that the organization would provide information regarding McDyess' status "later in September."

"But as of right now," added Favorito, "we're not commenting on any aspect of Antonio's health."

Neither McDyess nor his agent, Andy Miller, returned phone calls yesterday.

McDyess has told several friends that he expects to join the team at some point in training camp. However, McDyess and Knicks officials are in agreement that McDyess will continue to rehab at a deliberate pace and that he will not play in any exhibition games.

McDyess, who has appeared in 10games over the past two seasons, missed all of the 2002-03 season after suffering a a fractured left kneecap in the third preseason game.

"They're going to be super cautious this time around," said a person with knowledge of McDyess' rehabilitation. "Even if Antonio thinks he's ready to play, they're going to wait until the season starts before he sees action."

McDyess, who will be 29 years old in three days, is entering the final year of his contract. The one-time All-Star has averaged 17.6 points and 8.7 rebounds for his career. If healthy, McDyess would make the Knicks a playoff contender.

However, McDyess has had three surgeries on his left knee over a 19-month span, which increases the likelihood of re-injury. Last April, in the days leading up to McDyess' most recent surgery, Knicks team physician Dr. Norman Scott said: "I don't think this is a career-threatening situation at all. This is just a speed bump."

McDyess had surgery last October, one year to the day after he had surgery to repair a partially torn patella tendon. Additional surgery to graft bone to the fractured area of the kneecap was required in April to further stimulate blood flow.

Since his April surgery, McDyess has spent most of his time rehabbing in New York with Greg Brittenham, the Knicks' strength and conditioning coach.

Originally published on September 4, 2003 by the NY Daily News