Cook Hopes To Be Back Mid-2nd Round (Denton)

[DiplomaticMagic]

Orlando Magic forward Brian Cook is hoping to return to action by the middle of the second-round series after missing the past month with a broken bone in the top of his right hand.

``Right now it

[UCFJayBird]

we could really use him off the bench. Despite what some think he can provide a nice punch.

Hopefully he comes back and is able to find his shot quickly and isn't ice cold. I'd imagine it's pretty hard for a shooter to come back from this type of injury and be productive immediately.

[magicfan4life05]

we need the cookie monster!

[theTHIEF]

Cook's career #'s vs. Pistons

PPG - 6.7
REB - 2.7
FG - 36%
3P - 15%
TO - 2.6

should be a major boost...

[AdamTheGreek]

He has a shot of playing in exactly one week, IMO (past experience) but he needs to get some strength in that hand and then just needs repetition, repetition, repetition of shooting.

[Captain Obvious]

He won't play, even if he's healthy.

[paperboymafia]

Cook's career #'s vs. Pistons

PPG - 6.7
REB - 2.7
FG - 36%
3P - 15%
TO - 2.6

should be a major boost...

[magik9113]

I remember when we beat the pistons. he came in, made a couple 3s in a row and sparked the comeback.

[SOUL]

I dont like Cook..

But its hilarious when he drains multiple 40 foot shots in a row, cause hes not good at much else

[UCFJayBird]

what's funny about those numbers is that he's shooting 40% from 3-point land against Detroit this season (4 games), lol. So he must've been shooting like 5% the rest of the time. Oh, and he shot like 28% from the field this year against the Pistons.

[Gerhalt11]

Stan seems pretty set in the 8-man rotation of the starters plus Dooling, KeBo and Gortat. I don't see Cook getting a whole lot of time, healthy or otherwise.

[TheGlyde]

^ He was set in a rotation during the season with basically Dooling, KeBo, Cook and Foyle off the bench, that changed due to injury (Cook) and ineffectiveness (Foyle) vs the Raps.

SVG is not the kind of coach who will sit on his hands if something isn't working, if an adjustment needs to be made, the 'set rotation' will go out the window.

[ORL]

It actually worked out pretty well once the Raptors "decided" to go small because he was able to give Cook's spot in the rotation to Bogans.

[magicmamma]

Orlando Sentinel

Cook missed the last eight games of the regular season and the entire first-round series against Toronto with a cast on his hand. He had the cast removed Wednesday and started practicing Thursday. His hand was stiff and sore, and it showed in the way he shot the ball.

"I can shoot better than him right now,'' remarked Coach Stan Van Gundy.

"I'd take him on left-handed," Cook responded in jest when informed of Van Gundy's comments. "It's getting better, but I still need some flexibility before I could play with it."

SVG -- always good for a chuckle.

[theTHIEF]

did Cook lose his ability to shoot the ball? is it like the polar opposite of that movie rookie of the year? without that shot, Cook basically is a 6'10" black SVG, minus the basketball knowledge...

[MagicFan149]

haha... a black svg without the knowledge... lol...

i think cook could definately get some burn if he is healthy this series... could see hime playing mcdyess and it would also be good because he would keep their other big out on the perimter when shard goes to the bench...

[magicmamma]

The last few games, Cookie has clearly been itching to play. He's been out there is his suit during the pregame warmup tossing (and hitting) a few left handers from the side.

[spinedoc]

It would have been nice to have him back, but I expect 12 hard fouls from Foyle and Gortat then. Their defense and physical play could be big for us, I hope they step up. Cook will be more useful in the Boston series anyway.