McCaw still haunted by terrifying fall
OAKLAND >> Patrick McCaw spoke Sunday for the first time since his terrifying fall in a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 31.
McCaw was injured after Vince Carter inadvertently undercut the Warriors guard, sending him crashing onto the floor. McCaw writhed in pain for about 10 minutes before being carried off of the court on a stretcher and rushed to UC Davis Medical Center.
“So many thoughts just went racing through my head,” McCaw said Sunday. “I was really just lost. All I could do was really cry, and continue to pray, and just hope that I was going to be all right.”
McCaw initially couldn’t feel his legs and he acknowledged he feared the worst. Even though he regained sensation and can now walk, that numb feeling still haunts him.
“I’m still dealing with it, still trying to get past that moment and just forget it,” McCaw said. “But it’s hard right now just because it’s one of the scariest moments of my life.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and some of McCaw’s teammates visited him in the hospital the night of the incident. And his parents caught the first flight they could from St. Louis to the Bay Area to be with their son.
McCaw was diagnosed with a bruised lumbar spine after tests revealed that there was no structural damage or neural disruption.
McCaw vividly remembers lying in the hospital bed, hearing that news.
“A major relief, a major weight off of my shoulders and my mind just to know that I was going to be all right,” McCaw said. “It will take time to be back to 100 percent. But that I’ll be able to walk again was the greatest news I could hear. That’s the biggest thing, just regaining that feeling.”
The last two weeks have been very trying for McCaw. His lower back hurts all of the time. He takes a lot of
medications for the pain, but they don’t seem to be working.
“I haven’t slept and it’s not because of me thinking about the incident,” McCaw said. “It’s just the pain just keeps me up at night.”
Despite everything, McCaw also feels a huge amount of gratitude. Even though he’s been sidelined as the Warriors play in their firstround playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, McCaw continually reminds
himself that he’s lucky.
“Things could be a lot worse than what they are right now,” McCaw said. “I’m glad I’m able to still stand on my own two feet. There’s so much more than just basketball in life. Just being able to still have a chance to do what I love to do, still being able to walk, still being able to move on my own.
“I was thinking about all of the negatives that could have possibly happened to me. I’m just truly blessed. It’s kind of hard for me right now not being able to play the game that I love, but I’m starting to understand that it’s much bigger than just basketball.”
McCaw is set to be re-evaluated Thursday, but right now basketball is the furthest thing from his mind. He knows the rehab process is going to be a long and painful road, and the 22-year-old shooting guard is trying to be patient with himself.
Kerr has been a huge source of support for McCaw. After all, he struggles with debilitating back pain himself.
“He sat down with me a lot just because he’s been through it,” McCaw said of Kerr. “He knows exactly what’s going on with me, and the pain that I’m going through. So he’s been reaching out to me almost every day, just making sure that I’m all right. Checking in on me. It’s just great to have him supporting and always staying positive and making sure that I’m all right.”
McCaw said it was also extremely helpful having his parents with him in the hospital. When he woke up, he was scared, disoriented and confused. Their love and support made a big difference.
“Waking up from a lot of drugs and things like that, to see your mom and dad there supporting you, it made me so happy just to know that they would stop everything that they were doing just to make sure that I was all right,” McCaw said.
McCaw’s parents stayed with him for a while when he returned to his apartment in Jack London Square. They bought him groceries and made him his favorite dishes, such as spaghetti, alfredo, catfish, chicken and hot wings.
McCaw said only time will tell when he’ll be able to get back on the court again. But right now, he’s just focusing on staying positive.
“Really enjoying and embracing how far I’ve come and the opportunity I’ve been blessed with,” McCaw said. “It’s going to be tough, but I’m willing to take my time.”