Pessimistic that he'll ever recover fully from a serious ankle injury, Grant Hill has made the decision to play the season on crutches, Orlando Magic team sources said.

Hill has been sidelined for the better part of the last two seasons with surgically repaired ankles apparently too fragile to handle the intensity of NBA-level competition. On crutches during the summer, he played in some pretty competitive pick-up games, surprising himself with his mobility and effectiveness.

"It gave me the idea that maybe this wasn't so far-fetched," he said. "My lateral movement was pretty good, and my elevation was incredible. I used the crutches like pole-vaults and just went over guys."

Doc Rivers, the Magic head coach, anticipates giving Hill all the playing time he can handle, "hopefully 40 minutes a game."

"We need him," Rivers stressed. "I'll take Grant in a coma. Hell, I'll take him in a body bag. I just want the motherfucker out on the court."