[Fumblerooskies]

ASHEVILLE – The future of UNC Asheville senior Kenny George is uncertain after the 7-9 center had surgery on his right foot.

George, the Big South Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year last season, could be out for much — if not all — of the 2008-09 season.

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs. ... 0880822093

[Fumblerooskies]

Without George, UNCA will be hard-pressed to be much higher than last in the conference.

[Sly Fox]

Wow, this is a stunning development. Not because he is having this type of surgery. At 7' 9" he is always going to have major feet issues (as someone who covers Yao I can tell you how frustrating they can be). But stunning that this has flown under the radar. This would certainly assure our senior Houston native the league's preseason MVP.

[ATrain]

Wow, this is a stunning development. Not because he is having this type of surgery. At 7' 9" he is always going to have major feet issues (as someone who covers Yao I can tell you how frustrating they can be). But stunning that this has flown under the radar. This would certainly assure our senior Houston native the league's preseason MVP.

Is Yao included in your thread about run-ins or whatever?

[Sly Fox]

I am sure it is by now. But truthfully I don't see those guys much anymore.

Suddenly that early season trip to Asheville could be even more to our advantage.

[sweetnahmah1]

I feel bad for him and his struggles to stay healthy.



ok now that that's out of the way. I'm so happy he's hurt and they will suck this year!

[LUconn]

man, that really sucks for him. A guy of his size really has a short window for success. This will really slow down his development and hurt his prospects as a pro. Even if he's playing in Turkey, you've got to be able to make it from one end of the court to the other.

[Rocketfan]

You all know Kenny George. The tallest person ever to play Division-1 basketball, the UNC Asheville center is 7-foot-9, 370 pounds, and is only nominally good at the sport despite his incredible size. Part of that size means being naturally disposed, whether willingly or not, to play basketball for a living. The other part, the ugly part (if there is anything "pretty" about being so freakishly large) is that injuries are much more likely and, once suffered, much more difficult.

So it goes for George. The big fella had his second foot surgery this week and looks like he won't play much this year, if at all.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball ... aab,107770

[SuperJon]

I hate that for him. I really do.

[Fumblerooskies]

George just was featured in the "happy trails" segment of PTI.

Good thing Eddie got that contract extension after last season.

[Hold My Own]

George just was featured in the "happy trails" segment of PTI.

Good thing Eddie got that contract extension after last season.

That was pretty neat...and to hear Dan Lepaterd say "I really root for a guy like that" was pretty nice too

[Rocketfan]

George just was featured in the "happy trails" segment of PTI.

Good thing Eddie got that contract extension after last season.

That was pretty neat...and to hear Dan Lepaterd say "I really root for a guy like that" was pretty nice too

Lebeturd also roots for T.O. and claims he is misunderstood........

[olldflame]

I've tried for a couple of years to find something not to like about Kenny, and I've drawn a blank. He seems like a genuinely nice kid (I guess young man would be more appropriate now). I really hope he comes through this and gets to play some more basketball, but if not at least that he will be able to transition into pursuing his other interests and have a good life.

[Hold My Own]

He seems like he's the nicest guy in the world...I remember watching him in the huddle putting his hands on the guys shoulders trying to encourage him...I really feel for that kind of guy who prob gets a lot of crap anytime they go on the road

[uncafan]

Just quick summary....we've had some brief discussion about this on the board...Although our "off-season" members only number about 5 right now, haha.

First off, really for Bad for Kenny....Great guy. Hope he recovers.
At the risk of being a bit....insensitive...the implications for UNCA: Not as big as you might think.

Consider: Kenny didn't start last year and while he was obviously a tremendous defensive presence -- down the stretch and even in the conference tourny he saw spotty playing time. The fact is the type of athletes that Eddie brought in this year don't play well with Kenny's game. Those of you who saw Asheville last year may remember the theory that when KG is in the game "we're going to run and we're not going to wait for him." The fact is this years edition of the Bulldogs (even with out Smithson and Garland) is significantly FASTER than last years. The PG heir apparent Donovan Jones might be quicker than Smithson, and the guards they have brought in can all fly. John Williams will likely play various roles but with his jumping ability he can play an undersized 4...and yet he is faster and more athletic than many guards.

Basically Asheville is going to be VERY young...very raw...but ridiculously Athletic. And really...losing Kenny just means they get to play wide open... Which is better for their future. Maybe the Asheville faithful are just being too optimistic, but honestly...It may hurt the team early (and in that early LU game) but by the time we get to BSC play they won't really feel the loss. And don't forget, with 7 new Freshman on the roster...most of these guys never even got used to playing with KG (or playing with him at all).

And lastly...Freshman Sean Hobbs may see more playing time due to this injury. At 7'2" he's still (I think?) bigger than any other center in the Big South and while not expected to be an offensive presence that's still a big body to throw in there. Eddie also signed 3 other Forwards that play big at 6"6, 6'6" and 6'7" so depending on their abilities some of those guys can play inside...Especially with the idea of playing fast and running with the guards and a smaller lineup.

Anyway...just some thoughts....but I guess we'll see what actually happens in a month or two.

[Schfourteenteen]

Consider: Kenny didn't start last year and while he was obviously a tremendous defensive presence -- down the stretch and even in the conference tourny he saw spotty playing time.

I stopped reading after this part. He played 30 minutes versus LU in the tourney

[uncafan]

Consider: Kenny didn't start last year and while he was obviously a tremendous defensive presence -- down the stretch and even in the conference tourny he saw spotty playing time.

I stopped reading after this part. He played 30 minutes versus LU in the tourney

Actually he played 24...and he played just 14 minutes in the Opening round vs. Charleston Southern..

He started one game all year and missed 5 games down the stretch (last 3 weeks)... He didn't even average the most minutes off the bench -- that honor went to John Williams.

I'd call that "spotty play down the stretch"? Or perhaps you think its something else?

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Consider: Kenny didn't start last year and while he was obviously a tremendous defensive presence -- down the stretch and even in the conference tourny he saw spotty playing time.

I stopped reading after this part. He played 30 minutes versus LU in the tourney

Actually he played 24...and he played just 14 minutes in the Opening round vs. Charleston Southern..

He started one game all year and missed 5 games down the stretch (last 3 weeks)... He didn't even average the most minutes off the bench -- that honor went to John Williams.

I'd call that "spotty play down the stretch"? Or perhaps you think its something else?

1. It was CSU, you didnt really need him.

2. Im sure the games he missed were simply to rest since you were locked in a top seed and if you were in danger of losing it he would have come back.

3. John Williams is a monster, I really like him, hes probably the only player on your roster that I like or respect for that matter.

4. I would call it strategy

[uncafan]

I stopped reading after this part. He played 30 minutes versus LU in the tourney

Actually he played 24...and he played just 14 minutes in the Opening round vs. Charleston Southern..

He started one game all year and missed 5 games down the stretch (last 3 weeks)... He didn't even average the most minutes off the bench -- that honor went to John Williams.

I'd call that "spotty play down the stretch"? Or perhaps you think its something else?

1. It was CSU, you didnt really need him.

2. Im sure the games he missed were simply to rest since you were locked in a top seed and if you were in danger of losing it he would have come back.

3. John Williams is a monster, I really like him, hes probably the only player on your roster that I like or respect for that matter.

4. I would call it strategy

3. Yes he is....unbelievably athletic and nice guy.

1,2,4: The point was I think his loss to the team isn't as great as it might seem... It hurts but I think in the long-run it makes this years team (and the young guys) much better... and yes they were resting him at times, but when he was sitting down the stretch they had not yet locked up that seed. They didn't do that until the last game of the regular season @ Winthrop. Don't get me wrong losing him hurts, but, come february I think the team will be better because of it.