Doc Rivers: Hill likely out for season

Magic's Hill may not return this season


By TOM ENLUND
of the Journal Sentinel staff


The news on the Grant Hill front only goes from bad to worse for the Orlando Magic. Coach Glenn (Doc) Rivers said Tuesday night it appeared likely that the all-star forward would be lost for the season.
"I don't think it looks very good to be honest," Rivers said before Orlando's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. "We don't know for sure yet. But I don't expect to see him."
Until?
"Any time soon," said Rivers. "Maybe not at all.
"I don't want to speculate, but . . . "
The tone was not optimistic.
Hill has played in only four games this season because of a troublesome left ankle that still has not healed after he had surgery on it eight months ago.
During the off-season, the Magic spent $182 million on Hill and fellow free-agent Tracy McGrady and showcased them as the centerpieces of a team revival that the Magic hoped would propel them back into the upper reaches of the Eastern Conference.
And while McGrady has shown moments of brilliance this season and figures to be "the Man" in the absence of Hill, the Magic's master plan will pretty much be placed on hold with only half of the team's one-two punch in the lineup.
"It would be a major blow," said Rivers, referring to the anticipated loss of Hill for the long term. "Making the playoffs without Grant will be difficult."
More surgery possible
Rivers said the team did not believe it had invested in damaged goods even though it is now possible that Hill might undergo further surgery on the ankle. Other options would be to immobilize the ankle by putting it in a cast for a month or so, or to just continue on with the current rehabilitation program.
Hill, who joined the Magic in Indiana for their Christmas Day game against the Pacers but did not travel on to Milwaukee, has not visited any other doctors to seek a second opinion because his X-rays and medical reports have been sent to a number of places around the country for review.
"There's no need (to seek a second opinion)," Hill said while in Indiana. "The pictures have been sent to every doctor in the country - well, not that many - but we're still gathering information and the holidays have slowed down the process."
Rivers said that some of the medical reports had not yet been returned and that the team would know positively in the next day or so if Hill would be, in fact, sidelined for the season.
Hardship abounds
"A couple of the reports have been mixed," said Rivers. "But I've got a feeling that the others won't be as good, just based on the preliminary stuff."
The Magic was optimistic that Hill would be back for good when he returned for a three-game Western trip two weeks ago. The first impressions were favorable as Hill scored 19 points on the first game of the trip, against the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 11. But he had to take himself out near the end of the game the next night against Seattle, and he did not play against Portland on Dec. 15. Hill has been sidelined since.
The developments regarding Hill only add to what has been a lousy holiday season for Orlando. The Magic was none-too-pleased that it had to travel on Christmas Eve, play the Pacers on Christmas Day, and then take on the Bucks on Tuesday night.
"It's fun playing on Christmas whether you are home or away," said Orlando guard Darrell Armstrong. "But let us go home afterward. I have a problem sending us the next day to Milwaukee, one of the worst cities in the league. I know (commissioner) David Stern is not going to be in Milwaukee."
Rivers agreed with Armstrong about playing on Christmas and then Tuesday also.
"What kind of schedule is this?" Rivers said. "But what can you do?"
As far as Armstrong's words on Milwaukee? "He'll get booed from now on," said Rivers.

***That is bad news for you fantasy GMs who have Hill and were hoping for his return. Better luck next time.

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