Brooklyn rolled without its top sharp-shooting rookie despite the loss against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Does a doctor believe resting Demin is a good move?
The Brooklyn Nets clearly would've scored beyond the 100 from Tuesday night with a healthy Egor Demin available.
The franchise opted to shut down the rookie for the rest of the season, however. Head coach Jordi Fernandez helped make the decision before Brooklyn fell 138-100 against the Detroit Pistons.
The move likely disappointed Nets fans who wanted to see Demin finish strong, plus make a push for All-NBA Rookie Team honors. But a foot specialist doctor believes resting Demin is a good thing.
New York Post Nets reporter Brian Lewis spoke with Dr. Andrew Brief of the Ridgewood Orthopedic Group who specializes in foot surgeries. Dr. Brief believes the Nets are doing right by shutting down Demin, beginning first with limiting his jumps on the court.
“The take-home point is for a jumping athlete like a basketball player, it can be a significantly painful and sometimes debilitating condition," Brief told Lewis.
But by resting the rookie, Brief says Brooklyn should become more at ease about Demin's long-term future. He also believes that Demin's injury doesn't require surgery.
“I would say that the organization has reason to be optimistic that because he’s young and healthy, plantar fasciitis is usually a diagnosis that will ultimately resolve itself, and won’t be chronic," Brief said.
Yet at the same time, it's an ailment that must be carefully monitored on both Demin and the Nets' side.
"However, it seems as though he’s had recurrence in the past, so they’re going to have to consider other options if he doesn’t get better, after being shut down," Brief said.
Perhaps this means undergoing the knife if the foot doesn't heal on its own.
"He might just have a high pain tolerance. But it seems like an opportune moment for the Brooklyn Nets to shut him down now, given the fact that he’s having symptoms, and he’s had recurrence,” Dr. Brief said. “It’s probably affecting his play, and the team is not in the situation right now where they’re playing for a playoff spot."
Brief adds that "“an athlete’s ability to play with plantar fasciitis is mediated by pain, so the more activity, the more they are likely to experience discomfort." Demin attempting to make an explosive jump on a block or even jumping for the three-point attempt can trigger immense pain.
Demin ends his rookie season averaging 10.3 points per game with 3.2 rebounds.
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