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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ewing Not Ready To Dismiss Thoughts Of Postseason Play

From Wire Reports

Patrick Ewing, his right arm encased in an elbow-to-fingers cast, sat alone at a table, with cameras rolling. He had no bold predictions like winning the championship that has eluded him for 12 years.

In his first public appearance since suffering a dislocated bone and torn ligaments in his right wrist 12 days ago in Milwaukee, Ewing said Thursday that he believed he would be back at full strength next season. He even expressed hope that he could be back for this year’s playoffs - if the Knicks can reach the postseason without him.

“I have goals to try to make it back before the playoffs, at the end of the season,” Ewing said at a news conference. “But it all depends on how my arm, my hand, heals and how the rehab goes. Anything is possible. You just have to keep believing. I’m going to keep the faith and hope that that will happen. The doctors tell me the nerves will be fine.”

Coach Jeff Van Gundy supported Ewing, saying, “The doctors tell me he’s out for the season. But I would never discourage Patrick from thinking positive thoughts. People have told him what he can’t do for his whole life. All he’s done is prove people wrong.”

Ewing had the wrist encased in a hard cast on Wednesday after spending the first 10 days after the surgery in a soft cast. The cast will remain for seven weeks, setting him for a tentative date in mid-February to begin the rehabilitation process.

Market looks Bull-ish in ‘98

Despite losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls finished December with an 11-3 record, an improvement over their 9-7 showing in November. They take a 20-10 record into tonight’s game with the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center.

The Bulls had several quality victories last month, most notably over the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.

“It was a good month for us,” Michael Jordan said. “A lot of games were at home, but they were against some good teams, some challengers we may have to face in the long run.”

The Bulls were a perfect 9-0 at the United Center in December, but they were 2-3 on the road and are 5-9 away from home this season.