George Hill: A career night and a victory

[Chieflion]

George Hill: A career night and a victory

After shitting the bed in Atlanta, George Hill and the Spurs went to Oklahoma City to compete against MVP candidate, Kevin Durant, and his Thunder.

After a close 1st half, George Hill came out strong in the 3rd quarter, lighting the Thunder up with 13 points. Hill ended up with 27 points, ending up with his new career high.

"I thought defense was good, we buckled down and made some good defensive plays. Manu mostly." That was Hill's reply to the reporter's questions on finally winning a close game.

Gregg Popovich had some other ideas in the course of the game. Coach Popovich played Keith Bogans only 7:03 minutes. He also played Roger Mason 32:33 minutes and Malik Hairston 7:26 minutes. Popovich commented that Bogans "was tired and needed some rest". The Hairston Coalition was rather unhappy about Hairston's playing time, resulting in Popovich's short interview.

Tim Duncan was doing most of the little things, but coming up empty in the final minutes being guarded by Serge Ibaka was not what the Big Fundamental planned on doing. "Ibaka is a good young athletic center. He can protect the rim and played excellent defense. I wish I had a player beside me who could do all of that." Duncan said jokingly.

Kevin Durant of the Thunder had some other thoughts. After scoring 45 points and not getting the win, Durant was furious with himself. "I should have created the shot for myself."

This ends Chieflion's report on the Spurs @ Thunder game and George Hill's career night.

[TJastal]

Popovich commented that Bogans "was tired and needed some rest

Chief, I think your being kind to the centerpiece with that line. :lol

[spursfaninla]

another funny mock-interview. good show.

commentary aside.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

:tu
Hill was the total shizz tonight. His improvement has been dramatic. I can easily see him later on being one of, if not the, best player on the team. With Hill here, the Spurs' future after this big three has some light.

[TJastal]

"Ibaka is a good young athletic center. He can protect the rim and played excellent defense. I wish I had a player beside me who could do all of that." Duncan said jokingly.

Pop does have Ian and McDyess to use but for some reason we see Bonner now every game in crunch times

[TheSpursFNRule]

[B][U]
"Ibaka is a good young athletic center. He can protect the rim and played excellent defense. I wish I had a player beside me who could do all of that." Duncan said jokingly.


:lmao

If he had this....:lobt2:

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

spurs actually got very lucky at the end ...first the very late whistle for manu and westbrook stepping inbound.

[CFH]

westbrook stepping inbound.

All because of the 'centerpiece' entering the game. :hat

[HarlemHeat37]

How was a late call on Manu "lucky"?..it was a clearly a foul, I can't believe they took so long to call it..

[TPnumber1]

gratz hill , but 0 assist , he played pg tonight ?

[TDMVPDPOY]

wouldve been a blowout win if we didnt bring our A game in the 2nd half...

[Blackjack]

The Hairston Coalition was rather unhappy about Hairston's playing time, resulting in Popovich's short interview.

When your acronym is THC, it's hard to find the motivation and drive to display one's anger and frustration adequately . . .

Malik looked good out there defensively on Durant and was the only one to really affect his shot and pace; which is exactly why Pop went with the 'Centerpiece' to get a stop at the end. (That's why they pay Pop the big bucks ... because the 'Centerpiece' was clearly the reason for the inbounds infraction.)

[Brazil]

gratz hill , but 0 assist , he played pg tonight ?

oh come on give the kid a break, he played well tonite

[HarlemHeat37]

When your acronym is THC, it's hard to find the motivation and drive to display one's anger and frustration adequately . . .

Malik looked good out there defensively on Durant and was the only one to really affect his shot and pace; which is exactly why Pop went with the 'Centerpiece' to get a stop at the end. (That's why they pay Pop the big bucks ... because the 'Centerpiece' was clearly the reason for the inbounds infraction.)

That's why it's annoying..

Durant went 0-3 against him, all 3 shots were really long, meaning Hairston contested him well enough for him to have to change his shot every time..obviously he makes 1 mistake though, and Pop subs him off and chews him out..

Centerpiece had one of the worst quarters I've ever seen, Pop let him stay on for a long time..frustrating..

[duncan228]

Post game.

Hill.


Every game right now is important and big. The playoff race is close and we need every win that we can possibly (get) knowing that we have a tough stretch.

And it gets even tougher coming up these next couple games. I think tonight was a great win, a great team win, and very much needed.


Someone has to step up in that Tony Parker role. We know it’s going to take a team effort but if we get two guys to do it, then it’s going to help us.

Pop, on Hill.


The last few games, he has been deferring the basketball. We want him to be a killer.

In the second half tonight, he did that. He was aggressive for us from a shooting standpoint and created a lot for us also.

[Blackjack]

And the mistake was going to the board on a Manu drive instead of being on the ready for a corner three . . .

In case others haven't noticed, in many of the short stints Malik does get an opportunity to play, he's often overlooked or his teammate decides to go away from him when it comes to the outside shot. It's not that they do it in spite of him or even conciously ... they just haven't played with him enough when it matters to build a trust or chemistry and he's frequently left to either stand on the perimeter away from the play when he's off the ball in the half court.

So the fact that he went to the board isn't only understandable, it's actually commendable (not to mention the refreshing hunger, youth, athleticism and ability to make a positive play outside of the standard offense); and it's something you live with because it's a play that will remedy itself once he's able to play with the first and second team on a consistent basis.

Malik had Durant give up the ball on a couple of occasions, had him hit glass from the 3 and got him to front-rim a shot that he hadn't missed by more than an inch or two all night; it's a small sample set to be sure ... but it's one that should be given some credence when the 'Centerpiece' is hacking on a 3-point shot and making up for it on the next possession by simply not entering Durants area code for his next one.

[ElNono]

And the mistake was going to the board on a Manu drive instead of being on the ready for a corner three . . .

In case others haven't noticed, in many of the short stints Malik does get an opportunity to play, he's often overlooked or his teammate decides to go away from him when it comes to the outside shot. It's not that they do it in spite of him or even conciously ... they just haven't played with him enough when it matters to build a trust or chemistry and he's frequently left to either stand on the perimeter away from the play when he's off the ball in the half court.

So the fact that he went to the board isn't only understandable, it's actually commendable (not to mention the refreshing hunger, youth, athleticism and ability to make a positive play outside of the standard offense); and it's something you live with because it's a play that will remedy itself once he's able to play with the first and second team on a consistent basis.

Malik had Durant give up the ball on a couple of occasions, had him hit glass from the 3 and got him to front-rim a shot that he hadn't missed by more than an inch or two all night; it's a small sample set to be sure ... but it's one that should be given some credence when the 'Centerpiece' is hacking on a 3-point shot and making up for it on the next possession by simply not entering Durants area code for his next one.

I'm afraid he's done for the season...

[Blackjack]

I'm afraid you're correct; Pop's desperation to have Mason find his stroke and insistence on his "Centerpiece' being a proven (no matter what's been proven) vet supersedes any hope for Malik.

[DesignatedT]

hill stepped it up big tonight. was mandatory with us coming off a b2b

[The Truth #6]

The trend has been for an increasing role. I think he has a chance to get some minutes. Pop is probably taking him along way too slowly but that's expected.

The bright side: Malik is the top candidate to be Pop's favorite player in the preseason.

[ducks]

:tu
Hill was the total shizz tonight. His improvement has been dramatic. I can easily see him later on being one of, if not the, best player on the team. With Hill here, the Spurs' future after this big three has some light.

humm first time in a long time he had a great game or even decent against a good team
kori pointed out his stats against better teams
it is not great

[thispego]

Crofl at people trying to "raise the bar"

Chief lion... You ain't shit. Quit trying

[The Truth #6]

I'm all for Malik to get minutes but I've noticed his handle is crude. Rogers ball handling is actually much better. This Summer Malik has to improve his dribble and his shot. If he can do that he could break out. Still, his drives have been fairly effective.

[The Truth #6]

Crofl at people trying to "raise the bar"

Chief lion... You ain't shit. Quit trying

I thought it had some good moments. Not sure what you're complaining about.

[thispego]

Cheap commentary on a game everyone saw. Didn't bring anthing new. Total waste of time on his part and on mine by reading it. It's funny how these "raising the bar" threads only show upafter wins :rolleyes

[Sean Cagney]

I'm afraid you're correct; Pop's desperation to have Mason find his stroke and insistence on his "Centerpiece' being a proven (no matter what's been proven) vet supersedes any hope for Malik.

Pop will always go with that shitty veteran who does nothing and justify it while sitting a kid who is full of potential (Hill last year until game 5). He is an idiot at times, but still our idiot and helped us get 4 titles and drafted well.

[TJastal]

I'm afraid you're correct; Pop's desperation to have Mason find his stroke and insistence on his "Centerpiece' being a proven (no matter what's been proven) vet supersedes any hope for Malik.

Mason and Hairston looked very good in the time they were out there together and there's enough bench minutes for both if Bogans is out of the equation.

I've been wanting to see these two paired up for a long time and it was really fun to see them both on the floor together. Malik was understandably hesitant and gun-shy, this was the biggest game he's seen minutes in so far, he needs to get all of centerpeices' minutes from here on.

[Blackjack]

I'm hopeful, even optimistic, for Malik moving forward; every indication is he's a part of their future and someone held in high regard throughout the organization. The only thing that's frustrating is their not finding a way to accelerate the process or utilize him to their benefit now when there's an opportunity to do so. (Malik's tools and skill set aren't exactly a commodity this team is overflowing with.)

I don't want to make this all about Malik, though ... because Georgie deserves his love. He was much more decisive and dynamic out there offensively and that's what we need to see from him with Tony out; Pop's 'deferrer' comment was on the money when referencing Hill's play recently.

He's still in the early stages of his maturation process as a point guard and that of a star player with a more substantial role and greater responsibility ... but it's nights like these that show you the promise of tomorrow.

It's been the youth that's really been somewhat of a saving grace for a season loaded with disappointment and frustration ... you'd just hope for more of it considering the circumstance.

[jjktkk]

I'm afraid you're correct; Pop's desperation to have Mason find his stroke and insistence on his "Centerpiece' being a proven (no matter what's been proven) vet supersedes any hope for Malik.

Desperation is a little extreme to describe Pop's handling of Mason. Hes just doing what alot of coaches in his predicament would do, in regards to Mason. Pop's just trying to get Mason going again, with the hope(praying) that Mason can once again be a scoring option off the bench.. Yes it sucks, because its at the expense of Hairston, but thats shouldn't surprise most Spurs fans, given Pop's preference of veterans over youngsters. Hopefully Hairston will continue to see the floor when the playoffs start. But Hairston's time will come eventually, just not as fast as Spurs fans want it.

[Johnny RIngo]

Desperation is a little extreme to describe Pop's handling of Mason. Hes just doing what alot of coaches in his predicament would do, in regards to Mason. Pop's just trying to get Mason going again, with the hope(praying) that Mason can once again be a scoring option off the bench.. Yes it sucks, because its at the expense of Hairston, but thats shouldn't surprise most Spurs fans, given Pop's preference of veterans over youngsters. Hopefully Hairston will continue to see the floor when the playoffs start. But Hairston's time will come eventually, just not as fast as Spurs fans want it.

Pop could easily find minutes for both Mason and Hairston. It's just that POS Bogans that gets in the way and takes minutes away from Malik.

[The Truth #6]

Cheap commentary on a game everyone saw. Didn't bring anthing new. Total waste of time on his part and on mine by reading it. It's funny how these "raising the bar" threads only show upafter wins :rolleyes

Excellent point. He should focus on commentary for those other obscure Spurs games that no one else knows about.

[Chieflion]

I prefer constructive criticism, if anyone knows what that means. Anyway, for saying that this type of threads only show up after wins, I present you.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149145

This was after a damn loss.

[TPnumber1]

oh come on give the kid a break, he played well tonite

it was just a real question,i didn't see the game

[thispego]

I prefer constructive criticism, if anyone knows what that means. Anyway, for saying that this type of threads only show up after wins, I present you.

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149145

This was after a damn loss.

There is nothing constructive I can give you. your writing style is lame and you bring nothing to the table.

[GhosTown]

The Spurs are not going to reach their true potential until Ian starts playing in relief of Dice. As long as Pop refuses to see this, the Spurs will never be able to compete with elite teams. Bonner knows the system. So what? Knowing where to be but still can't stop anyone, what difference does it make? NONE. You need athletes to compete and win against elite teams.