Lee Expected Back For Game 3

by OllieGator on May 5, 2009 1:49 PM EDT

Bumped this to the front page (and edited it), given it's relevant and urgent news. - ER

Magic guard Courtney Lee, who had surgery last week to repair a fractured sinus, likely will be available for Friday's Game 3 when the conference semifinals against the Celtics return to Orlando, according to a report in The Boston Globe.

Certainly good news if it happens. I bet he comes off the bench to start, then works his way back into the starting lineup. He's got to get used to the mask he'll be wearing - maybe he can call Rip for some advice.

And besides, J.J. and Peaches are playing pretty well (so far) in his stead. Hopefully that will continue.

This FanPost was made by a member of the Orlando Pinstriped Post community, and is to be treated as the opinions and views of its author, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

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Expected back but certainly there is no guarantee.

The Orlando Magic aren’t going to rush back Courtney Lee unless they absolutely have to.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 5, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

I wouldnt wanna risk it either, he’s key for us in case we make it to play in the ECF and beyond (fingers crossed).

"In order for us to make a move, It has to make sense" - Otis Smith's favorite saying

by magic12ball on May 5, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Mos def.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 5, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

if we are able to come out and take game 2, Lee might get a couple more days rest. If it goes back to Orlando 1-1 though, we may need him back.

by Lee for three on May 5, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Orlando just needs to play the situation by ear.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 5, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I know we don't want to play around with the lineup too much

But I can’t help but think that a lineup of Lee, Peaches, Turk, Shard, and either Supes or Gortat would be interesting. Lee’s got the lateral quickness to keep Rondo from blowing into the lane. Alston’s quick enough, but I’m not sure he’s got the right instincts, and Dad’s too slow to handle Rondo.

by The Dark on May 5, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

.. it's not a good idea to experiment with lineups during the playoffs, given the small margin of error.

I get where you’re going with the suggestion, though.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 5, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely don't want them to try it for the first time during the playoffs

unless it’s in garbage time or for a short shift (a minute at the end of the quarter), and even then I’d probably rather rest the starters. I’ve been wondering if Lee could play the point for Orlando the whole second half of the season, particularly with Turk at the “point forward” position, and now I’m thinking it may never happen, since I don’t think we’ll keep Turk.

by The Dark on May 5, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

If we win Game 2, I say rest him for Game 3...

…and if we win Game 3, rest for Game 4. Etc, etc…

Now if we don’t win GM 2, I’m still iffy on bringing him back. Definitely bring him off the bench first and let him work his way into the lineup SLOOWLY. Not sure how effective he can be playing with a head injury, especially adjusting to the mask.

by bandrewg08 on May 5, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

It's a tough call.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 5, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll be at Game 3...

and will be brushing up on my paper mache skills to make myself a mask in support of Courtney!

Certainly its good news along with JJ playing well. I agree with JJ staying in the starting line-up until he gets used to the mask in full-contact ball but SVG knows what to do

by GuapoDCole on May 5, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions