Redd repeats desire to return

Michael Redd showed up at the Cousins Center during the Bucks practice session Thursday and spoke with many of his teammates as they prepared to leave for Friday night's road game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Redd reported he is making steady progress in his comeback from left knee surgery and has been cleared for basketball activities for the first time since Jan. 10, when he suffered torn ligaments in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

"I've been on the court a little bit shooting," Redd said. "It feels great. We're at the point right now where we'll let the graft continue to heal.

"By January we're looking at going full steam in my individual workouts. The goal for me is to be ready to practice (in February) and be ready to jump in."

Redd is in the final year of a six-year, $91 million deal he signed as a free agent in the summer of 2005. He is making $18.3 million this season.

It remains unclear if Redd will play for the Bucks again after he suffered ACL injuries to his left knee in January 2009 and again almost one year later. Bucks general manager John Hammond has not commented on a possible return by Redd.

But the former Ohio State star made it clear he wants to return at some point this season, repeating the sentiment he expressed last month when the Bucks played an exhibition game in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

"It's not complicated for me," Redd said. "I just want to get back on the court and do what I love to do.

"I'm under contract still, so I can't speak any other way. My intent is to come back here (to Milwaukee) in February. As long as I'm a Milwaukee Buck, I have an obligation to help this team be the best it can be."

Redd is currently living and working out at his home base in Columbus but has been keeping tabs on the Bucks' progress.

"They're playing a lot better, getting acclimated to the system," Redd said of the team's 5-6 start. "We'll be fine; it's just a matter of time."

Redd said it would mean a lot to him to pull on his No. 22 Bucks uniform again.

"Just the act of putting on the uniform again would be awesome," Redd said. "The last time I wore a uniform I was walking off with an ACL (tear).

"It would be one of the highlights of my career, to be honest with you. A lot of people thought I would retire or quit and that's just not my DNA. The doctors have told me I can come back and be at 100%. I'm relying on them. That's the bottom line. I'm going to be back."