http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1081753079194270.xml Alexander works to get back Injured Hornets guard seeks return for playoffs Monday April 12, 2004 By Jimmy Smith Staff writer It was difficult to tell who was more excited Saturday night in Milwaukee's Bradley Center as the Hornets won a critical late-season road game fraught with playoff implications. There were those in uniform, sweating, pouring out every bit of effort in the waning seconds on the floor. There was another, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit and tie, who in recent weeks has given his all in the cheerleading department, staying involved in time-out huddles, closely observing, giving his teammates words of encouragement. Guard Courtney Alexander's chances of playing this season were dealt a devastating blow Oct. 14 when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon late in an exhibition game at Orlando. Ordinarily, a ruptured Achilles, repaired by surgery, takes a minimum of nine months to heal enough for an NBA player to return. Sometimes, physicians say, a year is required. Yet Alexander never accepted those assessments. Playoff rosters must be received in the NBA league offices by 2 p.m. on Thursday. "That doesn't give me much time, huh?" Alexander said. "Obviously if I'm not on the roster I can't come on it later. I've got to make up my mind. A lot of people are telling me their opinions. But I'll honestly evaluate where I am when the time comes. Right now, I have not made up my mind. "I don't really want to make it an issue. I want the guys to go forward and play. I don't want me possibly coming back or not coming back to be any type of situation. I have not made up my mind. People are telling me they'd recommend me not coming back, but I cannot do that right now." It's likely, however, that the Hornets won't allow Alexander to jeopardize his career by returning from the injury too quickly. Trainer Terry Kofler said he admires Alexander's grit and dedication to make the attempt to get back into condition to play in the postseason but adds it's highly unlikely. "It can't happen this season," Kofler said. "He's working hard every day. The playoffs start next Saturday, and he hasn't even scrimmaged yet. In all fairness to Courtney, he's optimistic, and he's having great success in his rehab. "But as far as playing playoff-caliber ball, which is much more than regular season, and much more than preseason, it would be a miracle." Alexander spent part of his rehabilitation time at his home in Atlanta, making frequent trips to New Orleans to be with his teammates on the bench and at practices. For the last month, he has been back full-time, rehabbing at the Alario Center and making trips with the team as he works toward the goal he set for himself after he went down against Orlando. "It's getting better," Alexander said. "It's a work in progress. Some days are better than others. I'm running now. I'm jumping a little bit. "I'm working out about an hour now. I'm not going to be 100 percent either way. But I feel like I'd be good enough to play. I'd be able to compensate for the lack of whatever skills are missing." Hornets coach Tim Floyd said he has never really considered that Alexander would be able to come back this season. "He's working out hard, but I don't know that it's in his best interest to come back," Floyd said. "I'd talk to Courtney, but as far as we're concerned, I think we're ruling it out as an organization and coaching staff. Doctors and the athletes make that decision. It's not ours. "He's never ruled himself out, which is great; a tribute to how hard he's worked and his goals. They're great goals to have, but I don't know how realistic it is, given the severity of the injury. It's not something we're considering. He may be considering it. It's a bridge we'll cross when we come to it." . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3814. --

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