Season Thoughts as of Dec. 3

[Allanon]

27.1 minutes, 11.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists
42.1% from the field, 39.4% on three-pointers, 77.8% at the line

George Hill has gotten a lot of recognition as a breakout player this season who has supposedly taken huge strides from last year. Honestly, I'm just not that impressed. He has improved his shooting percentages and he's taking more shots -- but that's about the extent of his improvement.

Defensively, he's had his moments but has been exposed at other times -- just like last season. Rebounding has gone from a strength to a weakness. (Amazingly, Parker has been grabbing 10% more boards this season than Hill.) Additionally, his assist numbers are worse than any point guard in the NBA. His one big improvement has been a noticeable decline in turnovers, but even that is not all good -- it tells me that he's not even attempting to make plays.

I have high hopes for Hill but as of right now he's basically the same player he was as a rookie ... plus more minutes and the ability to hit corner three-pointers, and minus rebounding and assists. There's still a ton of his sop re season remaining but don't be tricked into thinking Hill has taken the next step in his NBA career just yet.

George Hill is indeed a part of the problem. There is no way George Hill should be playing 27 minutes while Tony plays 29.

This is a cascading effect of Jefferson. Because Tony and Jefferson haven't been effective together, Pop's had to play George Hill alot more. And it's not that Hill is a bad player but more of him taking away minutes from Tony and Manu.

Spur opponents are happy when Tony and Manu sit to give George Hill 27 minutes.

[MannyIsGod]

I think you're far too hard on the guards for lack of rebounding. Part of the reason Hill's numbers have dropped off has to do with the big's he's currently playing with and how good they are at getting rebounds. He's not having to pick up the slack there and as the bigs carry a larger share of the load there is less for him to pick up. The Spurs as a team are rebounding as well as they have in a very long time so I wouldn't read too much into this.

[slayermin]

My expectations are so high for this team, it's difficult to quell my patience. But they are going to get better. It's inevitable, as long as they stay healthy.

The glaring need that I notice is the lack of a playmaker at point guard. I'm not bashing Tony. He's getting better and I've noticed a conscious decision on his part to setup his teammates. But it's not part of the game he excels at, yet.

George Hill is still learning the point guard position. RMJ is getting better at the point but he is defensive liability. I think Manu is the only true playmaker on the Spurs. But he isn't on the floor enough to run the team.

If there is a way to get a playmaking point guard with a decent three point shot, I think the Spurs should explore it.

[jag]

Hill's assist numbers are low...but he's not really being asked to be a distributor in the half-court offense. When he's on the court with Manu, Manu is the one being asked to make plays in the half-court. When it's Hill/Mason in the backcourt, it's Mason that's running sets in the half-court offense.

[gospursgojas]

George hill ???

Matt bonner ???

Hmmmmm