Michael Redd never thought he would simply jump back into the lineup and start scoring 25 points a game.
The Milwaukee Bucks guard knew he had work to do after suffering different injuries to his left knee during the past year, including anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament tears that required major surgery in March. Then he strained the patella tendon in the same knee in the home opener Oct. 31, providing a fresh setback.
But the 10-year veteran never thought it would be like this, either.
"I've been in funks before, but this is a little different," Redd said. "I'll find my way out of it."
Redd is hoping 2010 will prove to be the year he returns to health and is able to play again at a high level. The Bucks desperately need him to do it, and at age 30 he faces a critical time in his career.
He has seemed slow and often tentative on the court since returning from the patella injury Dec. 12. Redd has played in the last nine games and been up and down, with the highlights being a 25-point night against the Los Angeles Lakers and a 32-point effort against Washington.
But in the last three games he has hit just 5 of 25 shots, including a 3-for-12 outing against Orlando in the Bucks' 117-92 loss Wednesday night.
"I hate to put any excuses on it," Redd said. "We all know what I came back from. I'll keep fighting; I won't dwell on the negative.
"I've just got to keep playing, keep playing, keep playing, and it will click. My confidence is never hurt. I have to stay in the gym, work my way out of it. And in the games I have to continue to find my way through our offense."
The problem for the slumping Bucks is they need a productive Redd to stem their current slide. They have lost seven of their last eight games entering Saturday night's home game against Oklahoma City.
They have fallen to 4-15 after opening the season 8-3.
"It's a little bit foolish (to think) that he would just seamlessly come back," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. "We have to have some patience. At the same time though, we're 4-15.
"Michael is healthy now but he has missed a lot of games the last couple years. Each step, hopefully he can figure out who he's out there with and what guys can do, and we can pick up the pace with that."
Redd is adjusting to a number of new teammates, including point guard Brandon Jennings and forwards Ersan Ilyasova, Carlos Delfino and Hakim Warrick.
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said he saw some of the same transition pains when Magic forward Rashard Lewis returned from a 10-game suspension at the start of the season. Magic point guard Jameer Nelson also is struggling now after missing time earlier this season with a knee injury.
"It's hard enough to come back off the injury, but now you're coming back and playing with guys you haven't played a lot with, Jennings and Ilyasova," Van Gundy said. "It's not an easy thing, no question about it."
Van Gundy always has admired Redd's ability and believes he can overcome the injuries that have plagued him since he competed for the U.S. team in the 2008 Olympics.
Redd also missed 14 games in November 2008 with a right ankle sprain, before he suffered the major knee injury in a home game against Sacramento on Jan. 24, 2009.
"You just need playing time and repetition," Van Gundy said. "I see Michael Redd being very, very aggressive, looking to score. You can tell he's trying to get his game going. At some point, he will and he'll be back to the Michael Redd of old."
One element Redd brings is an ability to attack off the dribble and draw fouls. He set a career-best mark by going 15 for 15 at the line against Washington on Dec. 23.
"We need to get to the line, and he's one guy who can get to the free-throw line for us," Skiles said.
"But we need him to step up and make open shots. He's not the only one. We're getting plenty of open looks. We have to be a much better shooting team than we are right now."
Complicating the situation is Redd's six-year contract, which has one year remaining. Redd has a player option worth $18 million for the 2010-'11 season, which could make it more difficult for Milwaukee to make him part of a trade.
But Redd's focus right now is on emerging from his self-proclaimed funk. He is averaging 11.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 14 games, including eight starts, while shooting 32.9% overall, 26.1% from three-point range and 69.8% from the free-throw line. His field-goal percentage is far below his career mark of 45.2% entering this season, and he also lags behind his three-point career mark (38.6%) and free-throw percentage (84.3%).
"I'm out of sync right now," Redd said. "I've got to get going.
"I just have to make simple plays but don't force it. Be aggressive. I'm just trying to find my way."
BUCKS VS. THUNDER:
7:30 p.m. Saturday
at the Bradley Center (FSWis)
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