SIAP: No Official Timeline for Juwan Howard's Return
Sorry if already posted but just saw this article on ESPN about there not being an official timetable for Juwan Howard's return to the sideline after his heart surgery a handful of weeks ago.
Sounds like Martelli and Washington and splitting duties, and they've got about a month until the start of the year. Still, I do wonder when he'll be back and how that'll affect the team. This is a big year for him and this program after the disappointment of last season, and I hope he's at his best physically as well as mentally for it.
October 10th, 2023 at 3:09 PM ^
Not an easy job. Take whatever time is necessary.
October 10th, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
Amen.
Juwan get well.
We believe in you and realize you have 1 hand tied behind your back.
October 10th, 2023 at 3:16 PM ^
Depending on the specific cardiac procedure, recovery is quoted as "6 to 12 weeks".
Speaking from experience (and knowing the meds he might be taking for months to years), he possibly could be looking at a 6 month period before he's really ready to go. Rushing back is *not* something he wants to attempt.
Edit/add: rushing back would be like "crossing the streams", against which Egon Spengler would strongly advise.
October 10th, 2023 at 3:40 PM ^
*** Disclaimer: I'm not a physician. I know and have worked closely with several. ***
In the main article there's a link to another ESPN article from right after the surgery:
Within, a quote of note:
Dr. Himanshu Patel, who performed the operation, said Howard is expected to fully recover in six to 12 weeks and could return to the program in four to six weeks.
I think we could trust him.
October 10th, 2023 at 4:02 PM ^
Heart surgery is no joke. A friend described it as the weakest and most frail he’s ever felt in his life just after heart surgery. Your body doesn’t just bounce back from that. Hope Juwan is back to full strength soon
October 10th, 2023 at 4:54 PM ^
That's the piece of it, for a lot of people--you can feel (and be) pretty vulnerable. Every time your ticker does something the least bit odd you feel obliged to monitor. I found myself wondering was I going to turn into one of the first-class neurotics I had known and criticized at times; in fact, I had more compassion for them. A year out, I was starting to feel great, but after devoting a very big portion of my time to getting fit--it drove me a little nuts to be spending a quarter of the day on walking, etc. The last thing you would want to do, in my opinion, is wander into a lot of high-pressure situations, be getting riled. I won't be surprised if he's gone for the year, or spending more time on the bench observing, letting someone handle the moment-to-moment.
October 10th, 2023 at 5:27 PM ^
On the other hand, you'd be the most mellow round ball coach, ever, while floating along on ACE inhibitors and good beta blockers.
October 10th, 2023 at 4:42 PM ^
It's already been a big year for Coach Howard--his life was prolonged by finding and repairing a significant risk. This will likely result in many more years of him providing positive influence to young athletes. I do believe the leadership opportunity provided to Saddi Washington will ultimately allow the program to grow stronger.
October 10th, 2023 at 4:57 PM ^
Phil is HC, though, FWIW.
October 10th, 2023 at 7:17 PM ^
Get your rehab done, Coach...need you back BUT only when your healthy mentally and physically ready.
Hail,baby!
October 10th, 2023 at 8:22 PM ^
Saddi!!!! My big bro.
October 10th, 2023 at 10:21 PM ^
I do want to say first that Coach Howard should absolutely take all the time necessary to get physically healthy and I wish him a full recovery.
And to what OP said about this being a huge year, I completely agree. The high-level talent isn't there, but we have some solid players in Dug and Reed. Guys are coming back from injury and we have transfers coming in with high potential.
But no one on this team is going to blow anyone away. It's going to be a true test of Howard's basketball prowess and his ability to truly coach guys up and get them to overperform above and beyond.
It's not going to be easy, but we're for sure going to have a great look at what kind of coach Howard is with the challenges presented this season.