The Athenaeum Forum

Top prospect Joel Embiid had surgery on the stress fracture in his right foot Friday, and now he waits. He waits to see how far he falls in the NBA draft Thursday night. He waits to see how long it will be before he can hit the court again. He waits to see how he responds to an injury that has a history of giving NBA big men problems. The Kansas centre, who was in the running to be taken No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, had two screws inserted into the navicular bone in his right foot at Southern California Orthopedic Institute, according to a release distributed by agent Arn Tellem. "The surgery went very well and Im confident that after appropriate healing he will be able to return to NBA basketball," said Dr. Richard Ferkel, who performed the surgery, said in the release. "Joel tolerated the surgery without difficulty and will begin his rehabilitation in the near future." While it is the same injury that Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming suffered twice and ultimately retired because of, its impossible to say how Embiid will recover this early in the process. Bill Walton also was slowed by the injury, but that was more than 30 years ago while Zydrunas Ilgauskas was able to make a full recovery from his broken navicular bone and resume a long and productive career. It is not immediately clear how long Embiid will be out, with estimations ranging from nine months to a full season depending on how the rehabilitation process goes. The lack of clarity has turned the top of the draft into a crapshoot. Kansas guard Andrew Wiggins and Duke forward Jabari Parker were the two names mentioned most often with Embiid at the top of the draft, with Australian point guard Dante Exum an intriguing, but largely unknown, long-shot possibility. A lithe and super-athletic 7-footer with nimble footwork and a soft shooting touch, Embiid has drawn comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon and, after an impressive workout in front of NBA teams in California this month, seemed to be distancing himself from Wiggins and Parker in the eyes of many talent evaluators. But the Cavaliers passed on injured Kentucky big man Nerlens Noel with the No. 1 pick last year and are eager to get back into the playoffs after a four-year absence. So taking a chance on an injured Embiid may not be in their plans Thursday night and the Milwaukee Bucks, sitting at No. 2, could also use immediate help as they begin their first season under new ownership. That could drop Embiid to the Philadelphia 76ers, who are preaching patience in the second year of a massive tear-down and rebuild under GM Sam Hinkie. The Sixers acquired Noel, who was recovering from a torn ACL, on draft night last year and sat him out for the entire season. Could they take the same approach for a second straight season? Assuming a full recovery, an Embiid-Noel frontcourt with Michael Carter-Williams running the point could be a dynamic core to get the 76ers back to relevance in the wide open Eastern Conference. After the Sixers at No. 3, the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers all wait in the wings. And so does Embiid. Justin Jackson Jersey .One day after winning her record 63rd World Cup race, Vonn posted to her Facebook account Tuesday that she was happy Woods surprised her by coming to the race, and that she felt terrible that his tooth got knocked out. Custom Sacramento Kings Jerseys .com) - Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points with eight rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 92-80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. http://www.nbakingsonline.com/Authentic ... gs-Jersey/. Al Horford said all he had to do was make the catch near the basket and then shoot a soft jumper. Anthony Tolliver Jersey . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Willie Cauley-Stein Jersey . McCutchen hit his first home run in over a month, doubled twice and scored two runs to help the Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 on Sunday and take three of four from the defending NL West champions.VANCOUVER -- Wally Buono doesnt like the term "backup quarterback" when describing one of his newest acquisitions. The B.C. Lions general manager and vice-president of football operations made a splash at Tuesdays CFL draft, acquiring disgruntled pivot Kevin Glenn from the Ottawa Redblacks for the fifth overall pick. The move is significant not only when taking into account Glenns past success in the CFL, but also because Lions starting quarterback Travis Lulay is coming off surgery to his throwing shoulder. "Kevin Glenn is an experienced quarterback thats won wherever hes been," Buono said on a conference call Wednesday. "Hes a guy that I think brings instant credibility (and) adds strength to (the position). "You cant win without great quarterbacking." Glenn, who spent the last two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, was selected by Ottawa in the expansion draft to stock the leagues ninth franchise, but became available after the Redblacks signed Henry Burris to a three-year contract following his release by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. "I believe it will be a very, very good marriage. Kevin wants to be in a place where he believes hell be utilized," said Buono. "We hope Travis goes all 18 games, but if he doesnt we feel we have a guy that can step in and help us win football games." Lulay missed six games at the end of the 2013 season after damaging his labrum in September, but returned to play in the Lions West Division semifinal loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. "When you look at professional sports, whether its the NFL or the CFL, injuries to your quarterback is always a major issue that you have to deal with," said Buono. "To be able to acquire a quarterback of (Glenns) calibre who comes in here and makes us that much better instantly was a tremendous opportunity for us." B.C. head coach Mike Benevides said he expects Lulay to be ready when training camp opens June 1, but added that his No. 1 quarterback is still not 100 per cent. "Theres no doubt that were going to need a phase of training camp to continue the progression that hes on right now," said Benevides. "The plan is to have him work for a segment of time in practice but the first day of camp he will be participating." The Lions were in need of a capable secondary option under centre after Thomas DeMarco was selected by Ottawa in the expansion draft and Buck Pierce retired to become an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The club has former NFLer John Beck on the roster, as well as Chris Hart, who was with B.C. last season but saw no playing time. Buono said the addition of Glenn will allow Lulay more time to heal if need be ahead of the Lions first regular-season game.dddddddddddd "When you have a quarterback thats coming off a major injury, the stronger you are behind him, the less pressure you put on that quarterback ... to speed up the process," said Buono. "We want this to be a natural progression where (Lulay) follows the medical protocol, which hes doing. Having Kevin here not only gives Mike and I confidence, but I think it gives everybody in the organization, everybody that supports the B.C. Lions confidence that come June 28 we will have a very good football team and well have two very good experienced quarterbacks to lead us." Glenn said after Tuesdays trade that he was excited for a fresh start with the Lions. The 34-year-old guided Calgary to a Grey Cup berth in 2012 and a CFL-best 14-4 record last year before getting scooped up by the Redblacks. "To be honest I didnt know if anything would actually happen," said Glenn, who wanted out of Ottawa after the team signed Burris. "To give up a first-round draft pick shows a team really wants you. "Thats what I was kind of excited about." The Lions won the Grey Cup at B.C. Place Stadium back in 2011 and are hosting the big game again in November, but Buono stressed the move for Glenn isnt a move with that showcase in mind, but rather about getting the best possible product on the field at key times. "The last two years, weve had good teams and we have not won a playoff game," said Buono. "Thats just the reality of our business, whether its football or any other sport. Winning in the playoffs is critical. Winning the big game is critical." "Theres different stages of the season. You want to win in the regular season, you want to put yourself in the playoffs to win, and then you want to put yourself in position to win the Grey Cup. You cant win the Grey Cup unless you win in the playoffs, so were building a team to hopefully do both." Notes: The Lions made a couple of roster moves on Wednesday, releasing quarterback Jarrett Lee and signing four import defensive backs, including former NFL cornerback Brandon McDonald, who played 80 games over six seasons with Cleveland, Detroit and Tampa Bay. ... After trading out of the first round to get Glenn on Tuesday, the Lions chose offensive lineman T-Dre Player out of Northwestern State with the 12th pick. B.C. followed that up but taking Laval fullback Pascal Lochard (14th overall), Simon Fraser linebacker Casey Chin (27th overall), Montreal defensive lineman David Menard (32nd overall), Bishops wide receiver Alexander Fox (41st overall), Simon Fraser defensive lineman Dylan Roper (50th overall) and Laval running back Guillaume Bourassa (59th overall). Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '