|
|
|
Saturday, November 4, 2000
Hill's ankle presents dilemma for Rivers
Associated Press
|
| |  | |
| Hill |
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando's Grant Hill may be sidelined for a
month if his ailing left ankle doesn't show signs of improvement
soon, Magic coach Doc Rivers said.
Hill started Orlando's game against Philadelphia on Friday night
and had 18 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes. Rivers wants to
see how Hill, who had surgery on his ankle in May, performs in
Saturday's game at Atlanta before making a decision.
"I'm really going to judge by these two games here. If he shows
any signs of just being really sore, I think we have to do
something," Rivers said. "He could play these two games and look
great, and then the discussion's over. That's what I'm hoping
for."
Hill played 33 minutes in Orlando's season-opening win over
Washington on Tuesday and had nine points, 10 assists and five
blocks.
But Hill wasn't available for action the next night in Miami,
where the Magic lost 105-79.
"I've just never seen a guy get healthy by playing," Rivers
said. "I've never seen it."
When Hill wasn't on the court against the 76ers, he rode an
exercise bicycle behind the Magic's bench to keep his ankle from
stiffening.
Rivers acknowledged that losing Hill -- who signed a seven-year,
$94 million deal with Orlando in the off-season -- would hurt the
Magic, but added that his player's fitness was more important.
"I'd rather have him for six healthy years than not have him
healthy ever," Rivers said. "You have to look at in the whole
picture, and look at the health of your player, instead of let's
win every game right now."
|
|
ALSO SEE
Sixers soar to 3-0 after taking care of Magic
|
|
