48MoH: George Hill is invaluable to the Spurs playoff hopes

[Blackjack]

From Popovich’s “favorite player”, to the NBA’s most improved, George Hill is invaluable to the Spurs playoff hopes
by Jesse Blanchard

http://www.nba.com/spurs/photos/george_hill_barrea_100414_670.jpg

Outside of New York, perhaps no place on Earth has as rich and extensive a basketball mythology as the state of Indiana.

In perhaps one of the most famous accounts, the film “Hoosiers”, before a tournament game fictional Hickory high school coach Norman Dale has his players measure off the height of a rim and the distance of the foul line at 10 and 15 feet.

Regardless of atmosphere or circumstance, basketball is a game played within the confines of the same measurements (give or take a few variances depending on the league). It is the players themselves that shrink or grow in the moment.

When San Antonio Spurs point guard George Hill (an Indiana native) returns to the American Airlines Center for the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the court and its dimensions will remain as they were in last year’s playoffs. It will be George Hill who has changed.

Keep reading → (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2010/04/14/from-popovichs-favorite-player-to-the-nbas-most-improved-george-hill-is-invaluable-to-the-spurs-playoff-hopes/#more-7549)

[DPG21920]

I agree. I have said tha hill and rj could really be the difference makers against the mavs. They give the spurs a dimension they have lacked against the mavs in recent years. If the spurs win I will predict it will be bc of hill and rj. The big 3 will obviously carry us, but I believe it is these two who can seal the deal. The spurs desperately need them.

[TJastal]

I agree. I have said tha hill and rj could really be the difference makers against the mavs. They give the spurs a dimension they have lacked against the mavs in recent years. If the spurs win I will predict it will be bc of hill and rj. The big 3 will obviously carry us, but I believe it is these two who can seal the deal. The spurs desperately need them.

The spurs need not only a George Hill but a healthy George Hill to beat the mavericks IMO. If he's still hampered by that ankle sprain and cannot play at a high level I think we lose our edge in this series.

[Mark in Austin]

It seems like Hill has done well in the backcourt with either Parker or Manu - it's really impressive how he's performed this year.

I'm also looking forward to seeing him paired with Garrett Temple (6'6") after Temple has had a summer to immerse himself in the Spurs system. Those two in at the same time could be a HELL of a defensive backcourt next year.

[BanditHiro]

It seems like Hill has done well in the backcourt with either Parker or Manu - it's really impressive how he's performed this year.

I'm also looking forward to seeing him paired with Garrett Temple (6'6") after Temple has had a summer to immerse himself in the Spurs system. Those two in at the same time could be a HELL of a defensive backcourt next year.

he just needs chemistry he should already know the spurs system unless they are just jacking around in the d-league and that may be the case when we look at ian

[taps]

there are some interesting tidbits in the User Comment section of the 48MoH article about Engelland's days with the Filipino NT and George's Broad Ripple days

[Old School 44]

Nice article. After the big three, right now George Hill is the next most important player on the roster. I think this quote in the article from Manu really sums it up, not only for Hill's improvement this year, but also the future progression of DeJuan Blair.

“It’s about maturity and confidence. The fact that he knows he’s going to play 40 minutes now, it really changes your head,” Ginobili said. “If you screw up a couple times, you know you’re going to have another chance, so you play more freely–that’s when it turned for me.”

[jack0fspeed]

More George Hill = more Roddy Beaubois

Hear me now and believe me later.

[senorglory]

I agree. I have said tha hill and rj could really be the difference makers against the mavs. They give the spurs a dimension they have lacked against the mavs in recent years. If the spurs win I will predict it will be bc of hill and rj. The big 3 will obviously carry us, but I believe it is these two who can seal the deal. The spurs desperately need them.

I agree that Hill could be a difference maker against the Mavs. While I have high hopes for RJ, I really don't have much of a handle on RJ's game and don't know what to expect come Playoffs. RJ's certainly playing better since the All-Star break but still far below the success I expected him to have with the Spurs. I think it's hard to shine in the Spurs system, however, so that RJ may be playing better than I have the NBA knowledge to recognize.

A big statistical outing from either one of these guys would be a helluva good time, regardless.

[AFBlue]

Hill's presence will not be more crucial in any series as it will be in the next one. The Mavs may start Butler at the 2-guard, but the proponderance of their backcourt minutes are played by a combination of Kidd, Terry, JJ and Beaubois...all at PG size (except Kidd). Partnering Hill with Manu and Tony should keep enough speed and athleticism in the backcourt to neutralize their smallish, but dynamic backcourt.

[ezau]

there are some interesting tidbits in the User Comment section of the 48MoH article about Engelland's days with the Filipino NT and George's Broad Ripple days

If I'm not mistaken, Engelland is a naturalized Filipino citizen back in the 80s. He used to play for their National team

[pawe]

GHill will no doubt be valuable but he wont even be talked about if only Dick scores like he did when he was with the bucks.

[SenorSpur]

“Playoffs is a time for people who feel very confident about what they’re doing, and George isn’t in that category yet. He needs more time.”

Neither was Michael Finley. :lol I just couldn't resist.

Seriously though, Pop declared the rook not ready and elected instead to go with Jacque Vaughn instead during Games 1-4. It was not until Game 5, that he decided to dust off Hill. Even though it was an elimination game, Hill appeared about as ready as anyone and performed well. In fact, he performed well enough for many of us to question why he wasn't getting more time during series.

Aside from all of that, JV was virtually ineffective during that series. Pop probably played that decision a bit too conservatively.

[Tp9gospursgo]

Is George Hill gonna be back for the first game in the playoffs?

[bigdog]

If George is healthy, no way Kidd can guard him.

[spursrocks]

i hope george is healthy in game 1. we need him to stop terry and kidd

[jjktkk]

Neither was Michael Finley. :lol I just couldn't resist.

Seriously though, Pop declared the rook not ready and elected instead to go with Jacque Vaughn instead during Games 1-4. It was not until Game 5, that he decided to dust off Hill. Even though it was an elimination game, Hill appeared about as ready as anyone and performed well. In fact, he performed well enough for many of us to question why he wasn't getting more time during series.

Aside from all of that, JV was virtually ineffective during that series. Pop probably played that decision a bit too conservatively.

You can say it Senior. Pop screwed up on the Hill fiasco last year. But knowing how Pop feels about trusting rookies, I wasn't shocked at his decision to go with Vaughn. Lets all hope Pop learned something about that screwup last year.

[slick'81]

i just hope he isnt limited that would be a damn shame