Jordan Hill could return in late April or early May

[DaLakerz Rulz]

http://www.insidesocal.com/lakers/20...-or-early-may/

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Mark Medina

The Lakers may add another player to their roster.

It remains a long shot, but Lakers forward Jordan Hill said doctors have told him there’s a slim possibility he could return in late April or early May after spending the past two months rehabbing from a surgically repaired left hip.

Hill said he’s been off crutches for the past three weeks has performed exercises on bike and elliptical machines. Though he’s occasionally come out to the practice court at the Lakers’ training facility dressed in basketball gear, Hill says he hasn’t performed any basketball exercises.

Hill said he plans to meet with team doctors in three weeks to reevaluate the possibility he’d return assuming the Lakers remain in the playoffs by then. The Lakers (35-32) have a half-game lead over the Utah Jazz (34-32) for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Lakers play their last regular-season game April 17 against the Houston Rockets. Assuming the Lakers make the playoffs, their best-of-seven first-round series would start at an away venue either on April 20 or 21st.

After having surgery Jan. 23 on his left hip, the Lakers expected Hill to stay sidelined for at least six months. Hill injured his left hip in the Lakers’ loss Jan. 6th against the Denver Nuggets. He had appeared in 29 games averaging 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 15.8 minutes.

“People keep forgetting about Jordan Hill,” Lakers guard Kobe Bryant recently said. “We’re missing him. He’s a big part of our team. What he does on the glass and his ability to stretch the defense, he’s a really big part of what we do defensively as well.”

[still1ballin]

That would be great if be comes
Back. We are getting beat pretty bad on the glass lately.

Maybe 2nd round of the playoffs or late first round may be more realistic

[lakers4sho]

Jamison fits d'antoni's system better, so hill might not get the minutes anyways

[Vino24Mamba]

If we have a deep postseason run like in 08, he could be ala Trevor Ariza best case scenario coming back in the WCF. He'd be good for banging bodies and grabbing boards for 6-8 min off the bench when the game slows down and it becomes a grind it out type of game.

[Supreme LA]

LMAO!!! I completely forgot he was still a part of the team! I'm being totally serious lol. Has it been that long?

[LAKobeBryant]

I don't know what were doing with Gasol, Dwight, and Hill they are all centres, they should never play pf under this coach.

[Raidaz4Life]

I don't know what were doing with Gasol, Dwight, and Hill they are all centres, they should never play pf under this coach.

I hate to say it but I agree with this... as well as with the poster that said Jamison is the better option under D'Antoni. It throws us in a bit of a pickle if Pau is back and playing well when Hill gets back. Honestly it is more reason to deal Pau for some wing players in the off-season.

[QUICKTRADE]

Jamison fits d'antoni's system better, so hill might not get the minutes anyways

MDA cant do anything if KB demands Hill minutes rather than porous defense

[kobebabe]

MDA will not use him much anyway. So not sure if that is good news. He will be great for insurance purposes just coz we have become such an injury prone group of guys

[midwestlaker75]

No rush

[DaLakerz Rulz]

MDA will not use him much anyway. So not sure if that is good news. He will be great for insurance purposes just coz we have become such an injury prone group of guys

Agreed, I think that is going to be the main benefit if he comes back early. Other than backing up Dwight/Gasol he probably wouldn't play much.

[Vinylman]

shut him down so he is ready next year... won't really make much of a difference anyway with Pau getting the minutes at the 5

[GetShrutedOn]

shut him down so he is ready next year... won't really make much of a difference anyway with Pau getting the minutes at the 5

Naw man. We could use him if people get into foul trouble or someone gets injured. This guy is good. If we are getting killed on the boards in a series we could use him also.

[Chavacano]

MDA will not use him much anyway. So not sure if that is good news. He will be great for insurance purposes just coz we have become such an injury prone group of guys

^^ Boom shakalaka!