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Damn.
Orlando's Hill to miss another game because of bruised shin
By MIKE BRANOM, Associated Press Writer
April 7, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill will miss his fourth straight game Friday with a sore left shin as the team's small playoff hopes keep fading.
Hill has had intermittent pain since being kicked more than five weeks ago. The bruise also sidelined him for three games in early March, then he returned for another 11 contests before missing the last three.
The six-time All-Star underwent a CT scan Wednesday, and the results were sent to his doctor in North Carolina. Stacey Augmon will start in Hill's place against Detroit on Friday.
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Interim coach Chris Jent said Thursday that Hill isn't limping and says the pain is pretty much gone.
``You could tell just by his gait that he's feeling much better,'' Jent said.
Hill is averaging 19.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. He has played in 67 games -- 20 more than the last four seasons combined.
Team officials insist Hill's shin injury isn't related to the ankle problems that sidelined him for much of the previous four seasons. But there are concerns Hill could aggravate the injury by favoring the leg when he runs.
``We're going to be cautious and make sure there's no extensive injury to that area before he does anything,'' Jent said.
The return of a healthy Hill is essential if the Magic are to make a final playoff push.
Orlando (35-40) has lost three of four and is 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final postseason berth with seven games remaining.
``It hurts,'' Jent said. ``He's been a great leader for us, and he's been our best player during parts of the year.''
With Orlando fading from the playoff picture, there's an argument to be made for sitting Hill even if he's healthy. He has another two years left on his contract, which until this season had seen him sitting on the bench.
``I guess people could say, 'If you're out of it, hang 'em up,''' Jent said. ``But if he's healthy, why not play?''
Hill's injury is the latest in a wave that has hit the Magic over the last 2 1/2 weeks.
Swingman Hedo Turkoglu, the team's third-leading scorer, is out for the season after breaking his left wrist on March 21. Rookie point guard Jameer Nelson missed three games and most of a fourth after tearing a muscle in his ribcage March 28.
Last edited by ducks; 04-08-2005 at 08:02 PM.
NBA Forum.
Damn.
Go away forever.
Damn.
Too bad, Grant Hill is a of a nice guy. The basketball gods just wont shine on him.
how bout you go play hide and go yourself?
Huh?
how about you start your on forum huh
Magic's Hill done for the season because of sore left shin
By MIKE BRANOM, Associated Press Writer
April 8, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Grant Hill's comeback season is over, cut short by a sore left shin.
The Orlando Magic forward has experienced pain on and off since being kicked almost six weeks ago, and Hill's stride recently has been thrown out of balance. He and team officials worry that if he favors the leg, he could re-injure the left ankle that sidelined him for most of the previous four seasons.
``Ultimately, we're looking at the big picture,'' Hill said Friday, before Orlando played his former team, the Detroit Pistons.
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Hill averaged 19.7 points on 51 percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 1.45 steals this season. He played in 67 games -- 20 more than the last four seasons combined.
In a tribute to his perseverance and performance, fans voted him as a starter to the All-Star Game, his sixth appearance in the league's showcase game.
After being hurt on Feb. 27, Hill missed three games in early March then returned for another 11 games.
But the pain flared up, forcing him to the bench for the fourth quarter of a game against Washington on April 1, and he hasn't played since.
Hill's injury isn't endangering the repairs to the ankle, Magic general manager John Weisbrod said. Also, Hill needs only to rest the leg for the shin to heal.
``He's been in a lot of pain,'' Weisbrod said. ``I think he's been reluctant to sit out for any reason other than the original ankle problem.''
With Hill out of the lineup, the Magic have faded from the playoff picture, going 1-3 since his last full game. Orlando also is without swingman Hedo Turkoglu, the team's third-leading scorer, who broke his left wrist on March 21.
Because the Magic already have the maximum three players on the injured list, the team received an injury exception from the league and guard Mark Jones joined Orlando's roster. He played four games with the Magic last month, averaging two points.
Hill's injury woes have been a constant since he signed a seven-year, $93 million contract in August 2000. In his first three seasons, he played, four, 14 and 29 games, teasing the team with flashes of his all-around talents.
With Hill's contract taking up salary-cap room, the Magic were handicapped in finding players to complement Tracy McGrady, who signed with Orlando when Hill did. Following four seasons in which McGrady was forced to carry the team, he and the Magic parted on bitter terms last summer.
Even worse for the Magic's front office, the sign-and-trade deal that brought Hill to Orlando sent Ben Wallace to Detroit. Wallace has blossomed into a defensive force, and was a key component in the Pistons' push to the NBA le last year.
Despite the latest setback, Hill remained positive.
``I feel better about my health and my game, better than I felt last year at this time,'' Hill said.
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