G.Hill this season

[silverblackfan]

I am happy with the second year role player who is improving due to hard effort and great developing skills.
Most of his problems right now are mental, he hesitates at times. This has gotten better from last year and will get better as the year goes on. His abilities as a defender and offensive slasher are very exciting, even if he has not reached his potential.
If we did not have Blair, I would say he is the best Rookie / sop re we have seen in years. Still an excellent draft.

[timvp]

Good thread.

Hill's season has been all over the board. He's changed his approach numerous times so it's difficult to get a read at how well he's doing and how much he's improved.

As is the case with most combo guards who enter the NBA, he's starting to drift more toward being a shooting guard than a point guard. He's a really good ballhandler so that makes him the second choice to bring the ball up the court (behind TP). But regarding making plays, making quick decisions, making the right pass ... Hill makes TP look like John Stockton.

That said, I think Hill can be a high quality bench player. If he concentrates on being a lockdown defender who doesn't foul, grabs a high amount of boards and plays the passing lane on defense while hitting threes, finishing at the rim and getting to the line on offense ... Hill will be very useful. But he hasn't put it all together yet. We'll see if can.

[Spurs Brazil]

timvp, do you think his D is better this season?

I don't know if it's because I expect him to be a great defender but on some nights I very disappointed with Hill D

[TDMVPDPOY]

timvp, do you think his D is better this season?

I don't know if it's because I expect him to be a great defender but on some nights I very disappointed with Hill D

doesnt seem like we had played any good teams yet where his needed....

[Baseline]

Hill's ability to defend multiple positions may be his greatest asset to us.

Let's see how he does on Jason Terry and Barea tonight. Or maybe even Josh Howard. I think his defensive versatility is what Pop likes best about him.

On the offensive end, let's face it - it's no easy task to play PG for Pop. The only guy he has really liked is AJ, and AJ was extremely steady, but couldn't shoot his way out of a paper bag. I think Pop has to be pleased with Parker by now, but he still plays mind games with him, something I'll never understand.

[timvp]

timvp, do you think his D is better this season?

I don't know if it's because I expect him to be a great defender but on some nights I very disappointed with Hill D

He's been hit or miss. He's had some great nights (like the game against Durant) and then there are nights when he looks clueless on pick-and-roll defense. And up until recently, he was fouling out of control.

Pop has given Hill a few shots to be the defensive stopper but Hill basically got beat out for the job by Bogans. We'll see against tougher compe ion where Hill stands in the pecking order. If he gets large doses of Terry tonight, then we know Pop still has confidence in him.

Hill has a chance to be a very good defender. Right now I'd say he's slightly above average -- once you account for the highs and lows.

[dbestpro]

Hill has quick hands and long arms and as a result I think he relies to much on his upper torso when he plays D. He is forced to move his feet against the big guys to hold position and does play bigger players well. He needs to keep the feet moving against the smaller guys and not just rely on his reach to keep himself in the play.

[NFGIII]

I have the same question about Hill. Are we expecting too much from him?
Hill looked so much more confident this year and his jumpers early on were impressive and more consistent.

But, for the last ten games or so, I haven't been as impressed. I thought his D has been more flat recently, and his decision making looks suspect. He is not comfortable running the show yet.

Last thing: When the refs see his indecision and/or lack of confidence, they are not going to respect him as a player and will not give him the benefit of the call on defense or offense. This is troubling and will lead to no calls come play off time.

Good points which have been in my mind as of late. Especially the last one. Regardless if it is going to happen or not at least execute it with confidence. That perception on the refs part is normal and HIll will have to change their view of him if he wants to get the calls. He really came out of the gate in the beginning of the season strong. I guess at that point my expectations were very high since I believe in the sophmore year being a the year most players make significant improvement after gettting a taste of what it is to play in the NBA their rookie year. If not then that is also a point to consider. Little to no improvement isn't a good sign that that particular player is going to have a long career. Just MHO.

Good thread.

Hill's season has been all over the board. He's changed his approach numerous times so it's difficult to get a read at how well he's doing and how much he's improved.

As is the case with most combo guards who enter the NBA, he's starting to drift more toward being a shooting guard than a point guard. He's a really good ballhandler so that makes him the second choice to bring the ball up the court (behind TP). But regarding making plays, making quick decisions, making the right pass ... Hill makes TP look like John Stockton.

That said, I think Hill can be a high quality bench player. If he concentrates on being a lockdown defender who doesn't foul, grabs a high amount of boards and plays the passing lane on defense while hitting threes, finishing at the rim and getting to the line on offense ... Hill will be very useful. But he hasn't put it all together yet. We'll see if can.

Agreed , especially about his being the lockdown defender. Bowen made a good living out of that and there are so few of them in the league. So to have that on your resume would be very favorable for Hill and the Spurs.

I would like for him to focus on D primarily and let the offense come to him when the situation warranted it.

[jimo2305]

george hill is doing great for a 2nd year player.. don't look at stats alone.. they dont' tellt he whole story