BOSTON -- Larry Bird's return from foot surgery suffered another delay Friday when the Boston Celtics star was unable to practice due to pain and swelling in his right heel.
On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, the three-time MVP practiced and scrimmaged with the team, but he did not dress for Friday's workout at Hellenic College. In a Nov. 19 operation, bone spurs were removed from both of Bird's heels.
Coach Jimmy Rodgers said no timetable exists for Bird's return.
'Next week, next month, next year -- we don't know when he'll be back,' Rodgers said. 'From the day Larry was operated on, there has been an element of 'if.' I'm still confident (about Bird's return this season), but that doesn't mean much.'
Team trainer Ed Lacerte said it was decided to give Bird's hurting heel 'three or four days and hopefully it will calm down. The joint mobility is very good and there is no build-up of scar tissue, but the soft tissue around the Achilles (tendon) is tight at times.'
This week, Bird has not spoken about his recovery or the possibility of his return. On Tuesday, Bird looked rusty in a full-speed scrimmage but had enough mobility to dunk the ball.
'I would imagine Larry is disappointed (by Friday's forced inactivity,) because basketball plays a major role in Larry's life,' Lacerte said. 'But I don't think Larry views it as a setback, it's just part of the rehabilitation process.'
'We have to backtrack a bit,' said Rodgers. 'With Larry, we're just feeling our way along. The main thing on our mind is to make sure it's right.'
The Celtics, with a 29-30 record, currently have the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The improving Washington Bullets are in ninth-place, with a 26-32 record entering Friday night's game with the Sacramento Kings.
Because Bird played in only six games this year before undergoing surgery, the team could have spent all season waiting for his return, 'and you would drive yourself crazy,' said Rodgers. 'We're moving ahead without Larry on our minds. But I still feel very positive (about Bird's return this year), from what I saw this week.'
Rodgers said there is no such thing as a point of no return when talking about Bird, 'even if it were the last day of the regular season.'
