Howard's Knee Deemed OK, Could Face Spurs

[Spurs Brazil]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...ld_face_spurs/

Howard's Knee Deemed OK, Could Face Spurs

Dec 17, 2008 10:04 AM EST
Magic center Dwight Howard missed the team's last two games because of an aching left knee, but after an MRI revealed no damage, he could face the Spurs on Thursday.

Howard underwent the MRI on Tuesday.

"It's been a little sore, but it hasn't hurt me for a couple of days," said Howard. "Hopefully, I'll be back on the court on Thursday. It doesn't concern me. I took a hard fall in Phoenix, and that's what caused it."

[Reck]

Well bring it on .

[Drachen]

Since this comes from realgm, my first thought is "damn that sucks for the Magic, Dwight Howard is out for the season."

[duncan228]

Since this comes from realgm...

For what it's worth, the quote comes from an article in 'Florida Today'.

Howard could be on court vs. Spurs
BY John Denton • Florida Today

Just as he was about to hand out $100 grocery-store gift cards to 100 families in need, Orlando Magic all-star center Dwight Howard was asked Tuesday why he wasn't wearing a Santa Claus outfit.

"I was going to wear the whole Santa outfit, but then I realized he's overweight and out of shape and, well, I'm not out of shape," Howard said as he pointed to his chiseled, 270-pound muscular frame.

The shape of Howard's ailing left knee is somewhat of a concern after he missed the final two games of the Magic's 4-1 trip to the West Coast. The injury was serious enough to end Howard's streak of 351 consecutive games played and send him to the hospital for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test Tuesday. He said the knee was deemed structurally sound and he hopes to play Thursday night when Orlando (19-6) hosts San Antonio (15-8) in a nationally televised game.

"It's been a little sore, but it hasn't hurt me for a couple of days," said Howard, who missed Orlando's wins in Utah (Saturday) and Golden State (Monday). "Hopefully, I'll be back on the court on Thursday. It doesn't concern me. I took a hard fall in Phoenix and that's what caused it."

Howard, the NBA's leader in All-Star voting, never missed a game in his first four NBA seasons. And he played in each of the first 23 games of this season, becoming the NBA's leader in both rebounding (14.1) and blocked shots (3.87). His consecutive games played streak was the third-longest active streak in the NBA, but he said the smart decision was to rest the knee to try and alleviate some of the swelling and soreness.

Howard's knee trouble could be the result of playing each of the past three seasons almost year-round. He played for Team USA in the World Championships in 2006, helped it qualify for the Olympics in the summer of 2007 and then led the Americans to a gold medal in Beijing this past summer.

"I took a lot of pride in (the streak) and I was kind of distraught about not being able to play in the (Utah) game," Howard said. "The injury is nothing serious right now. God has blessed me to not be really injured my whole career. Maybe my body just needed a couple of days of rest."

Remarkably, the Magic never missed a beat without their franchise center. Orlando posted wins against the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland, Utah and golden State on the trip and came within a Grant Hill last-second layup of a 5-0 trip.

The Magic's red-eye charter flight arrived back in Orlando at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday and Howard had to have his knee examined later in the day. But none of that was going to stop him from attending the function at Ocoee's Christian Service Center.

Howard, 23, greeted more than 100 families, handing out stuffed animals, autographed pictures and gave high-five handshakes to the children. And Howard's foundation paid for the $100 grocery store gift cards and emergency preparedness kits for the parents.

Howard's role in the community is one he takes as seriously as helping the Magic on the court, he said.

"It's all about trying to put a smile on kids' faces. They call me Dr. Giggles and I'm in full effect making kids laugh and smile," he said. "Basketball is just a part of my life, but I just want to be a blessing to these kids. Getting a dunk or a rebound or even winning are important, but this is where I can have the most success sometimes, giving back to kids who need it."

[Drachen]

For what it's worth, the quote comes from an article in 'Florida Today'.

Howard could be on court vs. Spurs
BY John Denton • Florida Today

Just as he was about to hand out $100 grocery-store gift cards to 100 families in need, Orlando Magic all-star center Dwight Howard was asked Tuesday why he wasn't wearing a Santa Claus outfit.

"I was going to wear the whole Santa outfit, but then I realized he's overweight and out of shape and, well, I'm not out of shape," Howard said as he pointed to his chiseled, 270-pound muscular frame.

The shape of Howard's ailing left knee is somewhat of a concern after he missed the final two games of the Magic's 4-1 trip to the West Coast. The injury was serious enough to end Howard's streak of 351 consecutive games played and send him to the hospital for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test Tuesday. He said the knee was deemed structurally sound and he hopes to play Thursday night when Orlando (19-6) hosts San Antonio (15-8) in a nationally televised game.

"It's been a little sore, but it hasn't hurt me for a couple of days," said Howard, who missed Orlando's wins in Utah (Saturday) and Golden State (Monday). "Hopefully, I'll be back on the court on Thursday. It doesn't concern me. I took a hard fall in Phoenix and that's what caused it."

Howard, the NBA's leader in All-Star voting, never missed a game in his first four NBA seasons. And he played in each of the first 23 games of this season, becoming the NBA's leader in both rebounding (14.1) and blocked shots (3.87). His consecutive games played streak was the third-longest active streak in the NBA, but he said the smart decision was to rest the knee to try and alleviate some of the swelling and soreness.

Howard's knee trouble could be the result of playing each of the past three seasons almost year-round. He played for Team USA in the World Championships in 2006, helped it qualify for the Olympics in the summer of 2007 and then led the Americans to a gold medal in Beijing this past summer.

"I took a lot of pride in (the streak) and I was kind of distraught about not being able to play in the (Utah) game," Howard said. "The injury is nothing serious right now. God has blessed me to not be really injured my whole career. Maybe my body just needed a couple of days of rest."

Remarkably, the Magic never missed a beat without their franchise center. Orlando posted wins against the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland, Utah and golden State on the trip and came within a Grant Hill last-second layup of a 5-0 trip.

The Magic's red-eye charter flight arrived back in Orlando at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday and Howard had to have his knee examined later in the day. But none of that was going to stop him from attending the function at Ocoee's Christian Service Center.

Howard, 23, greeted more than 100 families, handing out stuffed animals, autographed pictures and gave high-five handshakes to the children. And Howard's foundation paid for the $100 grocery store gift cards and emergency preparedness kits for the parents.

Howard's role in the community is one he takes as seriously as helping the Magic on the court, he said.

"It's all about trying to put a smile on kids' faces. They call me Dr. Giggles and I'm in full effect making kids laugh and smile," he said. "Basketball is just a part of my life, but I just want to be a blessing to these kids. Getting a dunk or a rebound or even winning are important, but this is where I can have the most success sometimes, giving back to kids who need it."

Yes, but unfortunately realgm has put their bizzaro world jinx on the story and thus he is out until 09-10. Ha I am just kidding, I am sure it is on the up and up.