[貼] Retiring a real option for Hill

看板GrantHill作者kzero0時間18年前 (2006/03/30 16:22)推噓5(5推 0噓 0→)

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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-hill2906mar29,0,7517379.story?coll=orl-magic Retiring a real option for Hill Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted March 29, 2006 CHICAGO -- Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill told the Sentinel before the Magic's 97-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls Tuesday that he will retire if surgery is his "last option" to correct his nagging sports hernia injury. A seven-time NBA All-Star, Hill likely will not play the rest of the season and faces a possible career-ending dilemma this summer: He said he has been advised by his doctor to have another sports hernia operation. Asked if he would retire, Hill told the Sentinel, "Yeah, if that's the last option. I can't have another surgery, so. . . . " Hill, 33, underwent surgery just before the season, his sixth operation since joining the Magic in a sign-and-trade with the Detroit Pistons in 2000. He had five surgeries on his left ankle before finally mounting a stirring comeback last season, playing in 67 games and being voted into the NBA All-Star Game. "I've been told I need that by the doctor. . . another surgery," said Hill, who is clearly frustrated. "But I've also been told there are ways it can be rehabbed." Hill said he will rest and seek non-surgical rehabilitation this offseason, then "make a decision by September" and "see how I feel then." Dr. William Meyers of Philadelphia performed the surgery on his sports hernia Oct. 31. Magic Assistant General Manager Otis Smith said, "I love him. I care about him. I know everything he's gone through, it wears on you. I know I hate to imagine life without him." Smith says he hasn't really discussed the possibility of retirement with Hill and hopes he'll be back next season. Smith acknowledged that Hill has talked to ownership about his options. Hill couldn't bring himself to say Tuesday that he was done for the season -- reminiscent of the days when he dealt with his ankle crisis -- but he intimated as much. He said he has consulted with "the team and medical people" who all have advised him to stop playing with the season winding down. The Magic have 11 games left after Tuesday night's game against the Bulls. "I'm leaning that way, but I want to leave the possibility . . . So I don't want to say I'm shutting it down or whatever," he said. "But it's something I've been advised to do. I won't say I've been ordered to do it, but they've advised me to do it since it's happened so many times before. I'm a little hesistant to want to do it. But maybe it's the smart thing to do." Out of respect for the star-crossed veteran, the Magic have let Hill make the decision. Hill has appeared in just 21 games, and hasn't played since March 10. He missed the first 19 games of the season and returned Dec. 14 in New York against the Knicks. He played in the next nine games, but developed complications and has been in and out of the line-up. Hill makes it clear he wants to keep playing as long as he can -- if it's physically possible. Hill said he has spoken to Magic President Bob Vander Weide about his future with the team, including the possibility of the club offering him a buy-out. Hill's seven-year, $92-million contract will expire after the end of next season. The Magic could also trade him, considering his contract is attractive to teams looking to clear salary-cap room. Hill said he has spoken with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, who both recommend that Hill work with Alex McKechnie, a physical therapist who specializes in the abdominal area. Hill said he didn't know whether McKechnie was under contract with the Lakers and would be available. Hill's surgery was supposed to correct a tear or tears just above his pubic bone, but he said he began experiencing pain in the area and in different areas of his lower abdomen as he played. After consulting with doctors and other sources, Hill said he believes his abdominal issues can be traced to his ankle problems. -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 220.139.133.89