J.J. Hickson hopes to be ready for Denver Nuggets training camp

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
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 /
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J.J. Hickson tore his ACL in a game against the Dallas Mavericks late in March, and he is now two months into his rehab.

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Even though Hickson seems to be inclined to push it, he realizes that an ACL tear is a very serious injury and he will need to make sure he is 100% before getting back on the floor.

It appears as though the big man is making progress, even though the setback took a while to sink in, via NBA.com:

"“My rehab is going great. I’ve got a good spirit about myself right now. I’m in a good place … I don’t think I was ever down. It still hasn’t hit me that I tore my ACL, but I know what I’m dealing with and I’m ready for the challenge.”"

He is currently doing rehab work with the Nuggets’ medical staff, and should be able to run on an anti-gravity treadmill very soon. The early rumors on Twitter suggested that Hickson would be back on the court around January, but he is looking to get back a lot quicker than that:

"“That’s false. I’m looking to be ready for training camp. If not, definitely before the season starts … I’m taking my time with it so when I come back, I don’t have to go back,” Hickson said. “Everybody’s body’s different. The guys upstairs recognize that. They do a great job of creating our workouts and doing what’s best for the player.”"

In his first season with the Nuggets Hickson almost averaged a double-double. He was a starter for the majority of the year when JaVale McGee went down but eventually lost his starting spot to Timofey Mozgov.