Magic forward Grant Hill, who knows a thing or two about comebacks, said his return from sports hernia surgery recently was the most difficult.

Hill has had five surgeries on his left ankle since arriving in a sign-and-trade with the Detroit Pistons in the summer of 2000.

After a successful comeback from the ankle problems last season, he had hernia surgery Oct. 31 and didn't return until Dec. 19.

"This last comeback was probably the hardest," Hill said. "The ankles were a lot longer in terms of recovery, but just going through all that and thinking all the surgeries and injuries are behind you. . . . Then the whole situation [with the hernia] happens, was harder.

"I think the others, maybe as weird as it sounds. . . . When you know you're out for the year, you can mentally remove yourself from coming back that season and gear up for next season. But this one was sort of having to deal with it and gear up quickly."