I was hit by a car as a pedestrian in 1985 and had my leg shattered. Had a rod in my leg for over a year to stablize it. And lost length on my femur - maybe 2 millimeters, which a lot. And I lost inner thigh muscle (big sinking depression where muscle should be).
Presuming he is in good to great shape, and if his injuries are as reported, based on my experience, he may be able to attempt to return to b-ball in 2005. He'll have to learn to compensate, as I have - but return, he should be able to, in time. I do step aerobics, weight, yoga and pilates, and have learned to work around it all - no one even knows until I point it out -
in the next year he will be in incredible pain and a lot of difficult physical therapy. It will 2 years at least for him to attempt to return. I wish him well.
Edit note: I just read this on the Trib site:
" But two sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Williams needs multiple surgical procedures to reconstruct his left knee. Surgery to repair Williams' pelvic area was performed Thursday night. The upcoming surgeries may not be performed for at least a week.
One source said Williams sustained extensive nerve damage in his left leg and also has a torn anterior cruciate ligament."
He'll never play basketball again.