duncan228
04-25-2008, 07:08 PM
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaulCoro/22345
Hill to play Game 3
Suns forward Grant Hill will play in tonight's Game 3, likely coming off the bench with Leandro Barbosa starting in his spot.
The surprising turn came at this morning's Suns shootaround, when Hill tested the groin and abdominal strain with some cutting and jumping drills. Simply, he said he was "feeling better" but respectfully declined to elaborate much more on the ongoing saga of his health.
"Yesterday was a down day; today was an up day," Hill said. "I'll be coming off the bench and I anticipate being a lot more productive than I was in these first two games."
Testing himself like he hadn't in a practice or game recently, Hill moved well enough that the Suns have changed their minds about him being doubtful for Game 3. However, they are planning to take the precaution of starting Barbosa, who could also get a boost from playing alongside Steve Nash. Barbosa and Hill were scoreless in the Game 2 loss Tuesday at San Antonio.
"He was running a lot better," Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said of Hill after this morning's shootaround at US Airways Center. "He had a lot better pop. He said he felt better yesterday and he came in feeling good."
D'Antoni said the Suns need Barbosa's speed and hope to spur his scoring with a starting role, which was good for 21.4 points per game in his 12 regular-season starts. Swapping Barbosa for Hill is not a defensive liability for Phoenix, considering they can put either on the likes of Bruce Bowen or Michael Finley. Hill still won't be able to go on Tony Parker at times. Steve Nash will continue to start with that duty but the Suns plan to use Boris Diaw, Parker's best friend, to put some bothersome length on the Spurs point guard in hopes of making it harder for him to finish in the paint.
What Phoenix could use from Hill is for him to return to being aggressive at both ends as a smart defender, good rebounder and another weapon who scores with a mid-range jumper or transition baskets.
"I was surprised," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said after watching Hill work out. "He went through some pretty hard stuff. The other day, he didn't even try. Today, he tried in warm-ups and looked good."
Hill to play Game 3
Suns forward Grant Hill will play in tonight's Game 3, likely coming off the bench with Leandro Barbosa starting in his spot.
The surprising turn came at this morning's Suns shootaround, when Hill tested the groin and abdominal strain with some cutting and jumping drills. Simply, he said he was "feeling better" but respectfully declined to elaborate much more on the ongoing saga of his health.
"Yesterday was a down day; today was an up day," Hill said. "I'll be coming off the bench and I anticipate being a lot more productive than I was in these first two games."
Testing himself like he hadn't in a practice or game recently, Hill moved well enough that the Suns have changed their minds about him being doubtful for Game 3. However, they are planning to take the precaution of starting Barbosa, who could also get a boost from playing alongside Steve Nash. Barbosa and Hill were scoreless in the Game 2 loss Tuesday at San Antonio.
"He was running a lot better," Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said of Hill after this morning's shootaround at US Airways Center. "He had a lot better pop. He said he felt better yesterday and he came in feeling good."
D'Antoni said the Suns need Barbosa's speed and hope to spur his scoring with a starting role, which was good for 21.4 points per game in his 12 regular-season starts. Swapping Barbosa for Hill is not a defensive liability for Phoenix, considering they can put either on the likes of Bruce Bowen or Michael Finley. Hill still won't be able to go on Tony Parker at times. Steve Nash will continue to start with that duty but the Suns plan to use Boris Diaw, Parker's best friend, to put some bothersome length on the Spurs point guard in hopes of making it harder for him to finish in the paint.
What Phoenix could use from Hill is for him to return to being aggressive at both ends as a smart defender, good rebounder and another weapon who scores with a mid-range jumper or transition baskets.
"I was surprised," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said after watching Hill work out. "He went through some pretty hard stuff. The other day, he didn't even try. Today, he tried in warm-ups and looked good."