Couldn't Have Happened To A Nicer Guy: Michael Redd Out For The Season.

On Sunday, tests revealed that Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Redd tore ligaments in both his ACL and MCL finishing his NBA season. "I'm deeply disappointed but everything in life happens for a reason and this is God's plan for me," Redd said in a statement issued by the team. "I have faith in my teammates and coaches to continue to work together to make our fans proud. I will be supporting them wholeheartedly from the sidelines and working equally hard to return to the court in the best condition possible for next season."

As Redd was injured previously during the season it comes as a major disappointment to him and the Bucks, who at present are in 8th place in the Eastern conference. I sat down with members of the USA Basketball team last summer for 6 AM interviews after they flew in from Las Vegas the night before, and Redd's kindness stood out like a bad Craig Sager suit. He was head and shoulders the nicest and classiest guy on the squad, especially considering the circumstances. He treated me like a long lost brother, and his sincerity came across in everything he said and did. Here's some of what he had to say.

Would the gold medal be a career highlight?
I think even if I do win an NBA championship it would still not supersede a gold medal since you’re representing your country.

What do you want to take back to the Bucks from this experience?
The mentality of not settling for just making the playoffs, not just settling to be just good, but wanting to be great. That’s our philosophy for the Olympic team and that’s what I want to translate to the Milwaukee Bucks this year

What can people expect from the in Bucks 2009?
Our goal is to win a championship, that’s the tone we want to set in the summer as far as winning. Not settling for not being in the playoffs anymore and not winning at all. I’m excited for next year, I’m sure there are still some more moves that are going to be made this summer, but we definitely want to get better.

On dealing withe trade rumours...
You don’t worry about it all, you can’t control it. All you can do is just continue to get better as an individual and if the trade does happen, you did the best you could with that team when you could, and then it’s on to a new chapter.

Here's to wishing Michael Redd a speedy recovery.

Photo courtesy of Craig Boyko for Peace Magazine.