Channing Frye Injury: Updates on Orlando Magic Star's Knee and Return
Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 14
Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel provides a statement from Channing Frye discussing his recovery:
"'It feels better every day,' said Frye, who sustained the injury during an Oct. 2 scrimmage when he collided with a teammate. 'I was kind of a freak thing and since I've never had this type of injury, it's tough to assess what's going on.'
Frye couldn't put a timetable on his return, but he is shooting and swimming 'like a fish,' also performing non-weight-bearing exercises in the pool.
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Updates from Monday, Oct. 13
Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel provides a synopsis of Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn discussing Channing Frye's recovery:
"Channing Frye, Victor Oladipo are on Magic's Charlotte trip. Coach Jacque Vaughn said both progressing from knee sprains, doing pool work.
— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) October 13, 2014"
Original Text
Forward Channing Frye was a key addition to a young and talented Orlando Magic roster this offseason, but the veteran leader may be forced to miss some time.
According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, Frye suffered a sprained MCL during Thursday's practice:
Although it remains to be seen how long that will keep him out of action, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com is reporting the positive news that there was no structural damage to the 31-year-old star's knee:
Per Robbins, Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn believes that Frye's injury isn't as serious as it could have been:
Since Orlando will lean heavily on youthful players such as Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic and others during the 2014-15 campaign, Frye's presence is hugely important. The Magic could have as many as eight new players on their roster this season, which makes the preseason more vital than usual, according to Robbins:
The University of Arizona product has a wealth of experience and he is a versatile player as well. Frye can man the power forward and center positions, and he is an ideal stretch big who has hit nearly 39 percent of his career attempts from three-point range.
In addition to that, Frye knows how to overcome adversity. He missed the entire 2012-13 season due to an enlarged heart, which truly put his career in perspective, according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel:
"Not being able to play basketball ... I don't want to say that when you're an athlete, you take things for granted, but you do. We're supposed to go out and think we're invincible. We're not. ... Going through this made me appreciate the game more, appreciate the opportunities I have to get better. I've learned to be addictive to the game now.
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While an MCL injury shouldn't be taken lightly, it pales in comparison to what Frye has already been through. Because of that, one can only assume that Frye will work his way back eventually.
Frye has averaged at least 10 points and five rebounds per game in each of the past four seasons, and that is production that could really help the Magic vie for a playoff spot in the shallow Eastern Conference.
If Frye isn't ready for the regular season, though, Orlando's youngsters will have to come of age quickly.
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