This topic contains 48 replies, has 11 voices, and was last updated by 
Malik-Universal 15 years, 10 months ago.
- AuthorPosts
- Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 8:13am #21455
IndianaBasketballParticipanthttp://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/art_garcia/09/09/george-hill/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1
Art Garcia
Archives | Email | RSSHill puts his body to the test in effort to prove he belongs
Posted Sep 9 2010 10:16PM
George Hill heard those rumors earlier this summer about how he’s made Tony Parker expendable. Sounds nice in theory, but such talk isn’t the reason Hill pushed his body this offseason harder than ever before.
Going into his third year with the Spurs, Hill is doing all he can to make sure he remains essential to the program. That’s all he can control.
“Everyone is expendable outside of Tim Duncan,” Hill reminded.
It would make sense for Hill to feel more secure. The 24-year-old guard from a tiny school (IUPUI) in basketball-crazed Indianapolis made a big-time jump last season, earning the trust of his veteran teammates and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Hill felt he only scratched the surface after starting a career-high 43 games during the regular season and eight of 10 playoff games. Many of the starts were necessitated by injuries to Parker and/or Manu Ginobili, though Hill proved he belonged through his play and the team’s success.
He’s dedicated the last few months to making the same kind of progress Parker and Ginobili made early in their careers. After taking a needed break following the San Antonio’s second round exit, Hill got back into the gym in July and hasn’t left.
He’s trained four times a week, usually Monday-Thursday, starting at 8 a.m. with shooting coach Chip Engelland and developmental assistant Chad Forcier. The sessions at the Spurs practice facility typically lasted nearly five hours. Hill described it as “tuning up his game.”
“I didn’t want anything easy,” he said. “I wanted it difficult, so I could learn to capitalize on difficult things so they become easy. Everything they’ve been throwing at me has been difficult and different, something that I’m not used to.”
When asked specifically what’s been the most challenging, Hill said reaching his physical limits to the point where his body couldn’t take it anymore. The goal for a player who famously came into the league with three percent body fat was to train so hard this summer that he wouldn’t wear down at any point this season.
But doesn’t everyone work hard every summer or at least claim to do so? What makes Hill any different? He doesn’t claim to be. It goes back to keeping a job.
“It’s the NBA,” he said. “Players come and go. Players come in every year trying to take your spot.”
Hill worked to develop a teardrop floater in the lane — Parker’s specialty — and extend his jumper past the 3-point line. Extensive time was spent in the weight room to add quickness and explosiveness. The mental side wasn’t ignored. Hill studied the intricacies of the point guard position, such as reading defensives more efficiently and improving in pick-and-roll scenarios.
“Hopefully we’ll see all of it,” said Hill, who was second last season in voting for Most Improved Player.
If it sounds as if the Spurs are grooming their eventual replacement for Parker, well, maybe they are. The 2007 Finals MVP is entering the last year of his contract and there’s been plenty of speculation that Parker has eyes for a bigger market. Maybe that’s true.
Or perhaps the Spurs are pushing Hill along, with his blessing, because it’s in the franchise’s best interests to improve the team’s talent level across the board. Parker may very well end up signing an extension, as Ginobili did last late last season in the final year of his contract, get traded or move on. Whatever the case, Hill’s progression is independent of Parker’s future.
“I really don’t pay that much attention, because those are decisions for our front office and our coaching staff,” Hill said. “If that’s what they feel they need to do, then they’ll make that jump. I normally don’t pay attention to it because at this time I know that Tony is my teammate and I love Tony as a teammate. I love playing alongside of him. I’m just happy that he’s still here and part of the Spurs organization.”
Hill has also taken representing the organization to heart. Through his own initiative, Hill conducted a series of camps and clinics for children throughout South Texas. He’s visited Brownsville, Laredo and McAllen, and has trips to Edinburg and Eagle Pass in the works.
The Hoosier native doesn’t have any previous ties to the Rio Grande Valley, other than their shared connection to the Silver and Black.
“The fans there maybe sometimes get overlooked,” Hill said. “I tell them the players out here are thinking about you and want to say ‘thank you’ for all the support you’ve given the Spurs over the years.”
Though not a make-or-break season, Hill still feels the upcoming campaign is critical. The Spurs have the makings of a championship contender heading into training camp later this month should several pieces fall into the place.
Hill knows he’s one of them.
“The third year is one of the most important in your basketball life,” Hill said. “This is where everything happens from here on out. I still think I have a lot to prove to my coaches, showing I can be a backup point guard or a starting point guard, wherever they ask me to play. I’m still working to get better.
“The main thing with all of this is to get the Spurs back to where they normally are, which is competing for an NBA title.”
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 8:56am #398323
stanford hoopsGeorge hill equals good role player
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 8:56am #398334
stanford hoopsGeorge hill equals good role player
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 9:25am #398345
andxxxParticipantHe’s a good player just not so good potential wise compared to:
John wall
Brandon Jennings
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose
Deron Williams
Rajon Rondo
Russell Westbrookand possibly even steph curry, Devin Harris and I like Ty lawson more than him too
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 9:25am #398356
andxxxParticipantHe’s a good player just not so good potential wise compared to:
John wall
Brandon Jennings
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose
Deron Williams
Rajon Rondo
Russell Westbrookand possibly even steph curry, Devin Harris and I like Ty lawson more than him too
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 9:52am #398369
The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipantIf you can get a good big and draft pick(u know the Spurs kill in the draft) then its a win…you get younger and cheaper for the season…and then u get the rebuild started early and off to a good start…
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 9:52am #398379
The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipantIf you can get a good big and draft pick(u know the Spurs kill in the draft) then its a win…you get younger and cheaper for the season…and then u get the rebuild started early and off to a good start…
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:58am #398495
sheltwon3ParticipantI believe George Hill can be very good maybe in the Billups mold if he improves his 3 point shooting. He has good size and can play defense really well. I don’t see why despite not having the upside of other younger players that he can not be a great player and point guard. Also Spurs need to move Parker while they can get something back. New York has a lot of young players and expirings. I am sure New York would mind having Parker as long as they have cap space to potentially grab Melo next season if it comes down to that.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:58am #398502
sheltwon3ParticipantI believe George Hill can be very good maybe in the Billups mold if he improves his 3 point shooting. He has good size and can play defense really well. I don’t see why despite not having the upside of other younger players that he can not be a great player and point guard. Also Spurs need to move Parker while they can get something back. New York has a lot of young players and expirings. I am sure New York would mind having Parker as long as they have cap space to potentially grab Melo next season if it comes down to that.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:09pm #398501
JoeWolf1He’s a legit player. He isn’t much of a distributer at the guard position, but I expect him to drop about 15.5 points 4 rbs and 2 assists, which is somewhat of a breakout for him. I just don’t see him as a 20 point scorer on the Spurs this season.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:09pm #398508
JoeWolf1He’s a legit player. He isn’t much of a distributer at the guard position, but I expect him to drop about 15.5 points 4 rbs and 2 assists, which is somewhat of a breakout for him. I just don’t see him as a 20 point scorer on the Spurs this season.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:12pm #398505
stanford hoopsHe’s not a very good point guard. He doesn’t make anyone better. He’s a ok passer. A shooting guard that can handle the ball. Nash tore him a new oneas far as scoring on him at will and I can see that being very common against these other young point guards. One reason I don’t see him being more then a nice role player is he’s inconsistant. At his age he shouldn’t be as inconsistant as he is
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:12pm #398512
stanford hoopsHe’s not a very good point guard. He doesn’t make anyone better. He’s a ok passer. A shooting guard that can handle the ball. Nash tore him a new oneas far as scoring on him at will and I can see that being very common against these other young point guards. One reason I don’t see him being more then a nice role player is he’s inconsistant. At his age he shouldn’t be as inconsistant as he is
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:14pm #398509
JoeWolf1Yeah, I never bought him as a point guard. He played well in the playoffs last year, but did not create at all. He is more of an undersized 2 guard who is comfortable bringing the ball up the court, to me. I think he is perfect as a situational starter or 25-30 mpg guy to bring off the bench.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:14pm #398516
JoeWolf1Yeah, I never bought him as a point guard. He played well in the playoffs last year, but did not create at all. He is more of an undersized 2 guard who is comfortable bringing the ball up the court, to me. I think he is perfect as a situational starter or 25-30 mpg guy to bring off the bench.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:19pm #398511
stanford hoops15 4 and 2. Sounds about right to me
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:19pm #398518
stanford hoops15 4 and 2. Sounds about right to me
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 2:06pm #398605
IndianaBasketballParticipantI’m biased because I’ve been knowing him for awhile and he works out with 100% Hoops here in Indianapolis, but I think he’s going to take a big step up at the point guard position. I know how hard he works and how great he wants to be.
He’ll never be a pure point, but I think he can be in the Tony Parker mold, except better at the defensive end.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 2:06pm #398612
IndianaBasketballParticipantI’m biased because I’ve been knowing him for awhile and he works out with 100% Hoops here in Indianapolis, but I think he’s going to take a big step up at the point guard position. I know how hard he works and how great he wants to be.
He’ll never be a pure point, but I think he can be in the Tony Parker mold, except better at the defensive end.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 3:05pm #398641
stanford hoopsMmmmmmmyea Tony Parker he will never be. I’m
sure ge works out hard like mist NBA players in the offseason. But he’s better as a sg then a pg. IMO I see a good career as a solid starter0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 3:05pm #398648
stanford hoopsMmmmmmmyea Tony Parker he will never be. I’m
sure ge works out hard like mist NBA players in the offseason. But he’s better as a sg then a pg. IMO I see a good career as a solid starter0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 3:15pm #398649
knicksfan7ParticipantI see a good career as a solid starter, but I see his optimal role as a 6th a lot like Jason Terry who can play spot minutes at the point guard spot. He is a very explosive player who scores in bunches, I believe he is better suited off the bench getting 30-35 minutes a game than being a starter.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 3:15pm #398656
knicksfan7ParticipantI see a good career as a solid starter, but I see his optimal role as a 6th a lot like Jason Terry who can play spot minutes at the point guard spot. He is a very explosive player who scores in bunches, I believe he is better suited off the bench getting 30-35 minutes a game than being a starter.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 3:18pm #398651
HaleParticipantI agree with Q, he isn’t a good pg. Good player, but his playmaking is poor at best. Less then an assist per game in the playoffs as a starter. At his absolute best he could maybe be a 4 assist guy.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 3:18pm #398658
HaleParticipantI agree with Q, he isn’t a good pg. Good player, but his playmaking is poor at best. Less then an assist per game in the playoffs as a starter. At his absolute best he could maybe be a 4 assist guy.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 4:15pm #398675
Malik-UniversalParticipanthes basically a tweener… a two guard trapped in a PG body
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 4:15pm #398682
Malik-UniversalParticipanthes basically a tweener… a two guard trapped in a PG body
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:13pm #398691
IndianaBasketballParticipantHill averaged three assists per game last season… To suggest he’ll only average four at his “absolute best” is silly.
He’s not a natural point guard, but I disagree with those of you saying he can’t grow at the position.
Most players work hard in the off-season, but Hill’s hard work has gained the respect of his veteran teammates and Greg Popovich, which isn’t easy to do. Popovich says he’s the hardest worker on the team and has become his favorite player.
He’s worked hard the last two summers with Forcier on his point guard skills and Engelland on his three-point shooting. His improvement last season earned him a second place finish in the MIP voting. He’s dedicated to and focused on improving his point guard skills and the coaching staff wants him at that position. I don’t see why there’s pessimism as to him improving there.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:13pm #398698
IndianaBasketballParticipantHill averaged three assists per game last season… To suggest he’ll only average four at his “absolute best” is silly.
He’s not a natural point guard, but I disagree with those of you saying he can’t grow at the position.
Most players work hard in the off-season, but Hill’s hard work has gained the respect of his veteran teammates and Greg Popovich, which isn’t easy to do. Popovich says he’s the hardest worker on the team and has become his favorite player.
He’s worked hard the last two summers with Forcier on his point guard skills and Engelland on his three-point shooting. His improvement last season earned him a second place finish in the MIP voting. He’s dedicated to and focused on improving his point guard skills and the coaching staff wants him at that position. I don’t see why there’s pessimism as to him improving there.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:14pm #398693
knicksfan7ParticipantTezo, I think his role is best as a 6th man in the Jason Terry mold, that’s my opinion. I hope Hill proves me wrong because I would love to see him be a better point guard who is a floor general. He is a very good player with a great attitude towards the game. He is the type of player you want your whole team’s roster to be.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:14pm #398699
knicksfan7ParticipantTezo, I think his role is best as a 6th man in the Jason Terry mold, that’s my opinion. I hope Hill proves me wrong because I would love to see him be a better point guard who is a floor general. He is a very good player with a great attitude towards the game. He is the type of player you want your whole team’s roster to be.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:17pm #398695
PlatypusParticipanti agree completely with that Jason Terry comparisson
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:17pm #398701
PlatypusParticipanti agree completely with that Jason Terry comparisson
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:23pm #398702
IndianaBasketballParticipantI think it’s funny that there’s pessimism toward George Hill playing the point, but optimism towards a player like OJ Mayo playing the point. Mayo was HORRIBLE at the point during summer league, yet users on here still think he can be effective there.
Here’s a player in Hill who didn’t light it up at the point, but made good strides there last season. I have no problem with the Jason Terry comparison, but to act like he has no chance to improve at the point when he’s this focused and the coaching staff, *Poppovich*, wants him there is silly. They’re grooming him for that position and Poppovich will do for Hill what he did for Parker.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:23pm #398707
IndianaBasketballParticipantI think it’s funny that there’s pessimism toward George Hill playing the point, but optimism towards a player like OJ Mayo playing the point. Mayo was HORRIBLE at the point during summer league, yet users on here still think he can be effective there.
Here’s a player in Hill who didn’t light it up at the point, but made good strides there last season. I have no problem with the Jason Terry comparison, but to act like he has no chance to improve at the point when he’s this focused and the coaching staff, *Poppovich*, wants him there is silly. They’re grooming him for that position and Poppovich will do for Hill what he did for Parker.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:28pm #398706
mini_marzParticipantimo i think hill is pretty much gonna be at the very least solid in almost every aspect of the game… but he is a combo guard that can occasionally set up teammates and one thing that i think people dont give him credit for is the fact that he is a very good defender and plays very well in the team concept
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:28pm #398711
mini_marzParticipantimo i think hill is pretty much gonna be at the very least solid in almost every aspect of the game… but he is a combo guard that can occasionally set up teammates and one thing that i think people dont give him credit for is the fact that he is a very good defender and plays very well in the team concept
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:28pm #398708
knicksfan7ParticipantTezo, I think George Hill has a better chance at being a point guard that OJ Mayo does. If memphis actually tries making Mayo into a PG is a disaster waiting to happen, to be he is like a Jason Richardson type shooting guard, consistent and gets around 20 points a night, making him at the point means he will shoot his team out of games and create only for himself. George Hill from watching him wants to get better at creating from others and is well aware that it is a weakness for him. I just don’t ever see him being a team’s point guard, I see him more as a guy who can handle the position in spot minutes like Jason Terry.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:28pm #398713
knicksfan7ParticipantTezo, I think George Hill has a better chance at being a point guard that OJ Mayo does. If memphis actually tries making Mayo into a PG is a disaster waiting to happen, to be he is like a Jason Richardson type shooting guard, consistent and gets around 20 points a night, making him at the point means he will shoot his team out of games and create only for himself. George Hill from watching him wants to get better at creating from others and is well aware that it is a weakness for him. I just don’t ever see him being a team’s point guard, I see him more as a guy who can handle the position in spot minutes like Jason Terry.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:43pm #398712
JNixonParticipantHe’ll be a solid starter, but he’s no Tony Parker, I don’t care how much Gregg Popovich likes him. He’s more like Aaron Brooks at best. I think Hill would be better as a 6th man too, in the Jason Terry/prime-Barbosa mold. He’s not nearly a good enough playmaker to really make guys around him better, and even though he could start and be very effective (16ppg, 4 or 5 apg), he’s not a guy that would be at his best as a starter on a contender IMO.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 5:43pm #398717
JNixonParticipantHe’ll be a solid starter, but he’s no Tony Parker, I don’t care how much Gregg Popovich likes him. He’s more like Aaron Brooks at best. I think Hill would be better as a 6th man too, in the Jason Terry/prime-Barbosa mold. He’s not nearly a good enough playmaker to really make guys around him better, and even though he could start and be very effective (16ppg, 4 or 5 apg), he’s not a guy that would be at his best as a starter on a contender IMO.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 6:04pm #398726
HaleParticipant4.5 apg then? He is not a pg. Also for the record, I don’t think OJ Mayo can play pg at all either.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 6:04pm #398732
HaleParticipant4.5 apg then? He is not a pg. Also for the record, I don’t think OJ Mayo can play pg at all either.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 6:12pm #398730
IndianaBasketballParticipantThe work ethic and dedication is there, so I think he can improve his playmaking, etc. We’ll see though.
This reminds me of when I said he’d be a first round pick on this site and there was a lot of doubt, etc. He was picked 26th. Users on this site said he wouldn’t play a role with the Spurs anytime soon. He started 43 games last season and finished 2nd in MIP voting.
I’m expecting a huge jump in his play this upcoming season, especially if Parker is traded.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 6:12pm #398736
IndianaBasketballParticipantThe work ethic and dedication is there, so I think he can improve his playmaking, etc. We’ll see though.
This reminds me of when I said he’d be a first round pick on this site and there was a lot of doubt, etc. He was picked 26th. Users on this site said he wouldn’t play a role with the Spurs anytime soon. He started 43 games last season and finished 2nd in MIP voting.
I’m expecting a huge jump in his play this upcoming season, especially if Parker is traded.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 6:13pm #398731
HaleParticipantI’ll give you a lot of credit for predicting him to be a first rounder. He is a good young player, and like you said, we will see what happens with his pg development.
0 - Posted on: Fri, 09/10/2010 - 6:13pm #398738
HaleParticipantI’ll give you a lot of credit for predicting him to be a first rounder. He is a good young player, and like you said, we will see what happens with his pg development.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 09/11/2010 - 5:53am #398875
Malik-UniversalParticipantits hard to tell if hes only a sixth man at best… lets give him this season to really evaluate him
0 - Posted on: Sat, 09/11/2010 - 5:53am #398882
Malik-UniversalParticipantits hard to tell if hes only a sixth man at best… lets give him this season to really evaluate him
0 - AuthorPosts
| You must be logged in to reply to this topic. | Login |