J.J. Hickson Sets End Of Training Camp As His Return Date

Dec 7, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets forward JJ Hickson (7) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nuggets defeated the Sixers 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Hickson was one of the many injured Nuggets players this past season. The rising big-man suffered a torn ACL, just like guard Nate Robinson, and forward Danilo Gallinari. It is obvious that that team was plagued by injuries, and this one hurt them a lot. Hickson was averaging 11 points per game and 9 rebounds. He was becoming a main part of the Nuggets offense and his injury was a major disappointment.

The good news however is that Hickson is rehabbing well and he has targeted a return date. The big-man is looking to return at some point towards the end of training camp and he told the Denver Post this.

"“I’m not going to rush it. As of right now, my knee feels great. My knee looks great, I’m ahead of schedule, so we’ll see. People keep telling me, ‘You’ll come back stronger, your leg will be better, your knee will be way better, you’ll be more explosive. And I kind of pride myself on being explosive and finishing around the rim. I definitely don’t want to lose that so I’m just taking it one day at a time.”"

It’s great that he knows when he wants to return. The Nuggets are going to need him next year, and he is definitely a part of the teams plans going forward. The hope is that Hickson will be ready for the start of the season next year, and that he will be a big part of the Nuggets going forward.