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Hill did a good job. But could Mayo have been fatigued from previous games? This was Memphis' fourth SL game.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....57d20fbc.html
Spurs: Hill holds own against Mayo in summer league debut
By Mike Monroe
LAS VEGAS -- The plan was for George Hill, the guard from IUPUI the Spurs drafted with the 26th selection of the 2008 draft, to make his Las Vegas Summer League debut against the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley, one of the top picks in the 2007 draft.
When the Spurs’ coaches found out Conley wasn’t going to suit up for Memphis, they had a better idea.
"George Hill vs. O.J. Mayo,” assistant coach Mike Budenholzer said before the Spurs defeated the Grizzlies, 78-76, at Thomas and Mack Arena late Monday night.
“It’s definitely a good test for him right out of the gate. I don’t know that much about Mayo, but he was the third pick in the draft and George was the 26th pick. Hopefully, he’s got something he wants to show everybody. It always starts with defense for George.”
Mayo, the explosive guard from Southern California the Grizzlies acquired in a draft night trade involving draft rights to UCLA’s Kevin Love, is the sort of challenge the Spurs believe Hill will readily accept, even as a rookie.
Budenholzer had some advice for Hill before sending him out against Mayo, who had scored 56 points in his first three summer league games.
“This kid is looking to score,” Budenholzer told Hill, “so make him take tough shots, but don’t foul him.”
It was the same sort of admonition Gregg Popovich gave to Bruce Bowen when he sent him out to defend Kobe Bryant in the Western Conference final.
“That’s one of our big things,” Budenholzer said. “Make him take tough shots, but don’t put him on the free throw line. If we can get out of this game with O.J. Mayo shooting six, seven free throws – sort of like Kobe Bryant – then that’s probably a good sign for George.”
By game’s end, Mayo had scored 16 points, but taken only six free throws. Hill also had succeeded in making him take the sort of tough shots the Spurs are content to yield. Mayo made only five of 17 shots.
It was what Budenholzer and Popovich, watching from a seat eight rows up in the stands in a nearly deserted arena, had hoped to see from Hill at the defensive end.
Hill made two of nine shots and scored 14 points, but his defensive work on Mayo – he took two charges and helped in limiting Mayo to two points in the second and third quarters – was all that mattered in his first game in silver and black.
Hill did a good job. But could Mayo have been fatigued from previous games? This was Memphis' fourth SL game.
Does this indicate that the coaching staff sees Hill as primarily a defensive player?
Kobe lit Bowen up like the fourth of July in the West Finals.
Hill scored 17 points, actually, not 14.
and 78-76 Spurs is the final score?
I think I saw the LA Lakers had a blow-out win against Memphis yesterday
But Hill showing defense is a good start.
wasn't that the selling point on him vs other prospects?
Not just the defense, but he's a composed player. The Grizzlies went after him all night and he turned the ball over twice. He set up players for jumpers with good looks quite a few times. He definitely did not seem to get rattled.
In his first three games, OJ Mayo was 5 for 10, 9 for 19, and 6 for 13. So for Hill and the Spurs' summer league team to force him into 5 for 17 shooting is a nice accomplishment. So the first indication is Hill can guard SGs in addition to PGs, which I'm sure is something the Spurs were hoping for.
OJ could just be tired, or having an off night. But definitely a good start for Hill. Wonder who he'll go up against tomorrow with New Orleans.
And one of those was a 60 foot heave at the buzzer and another from beyond NBA three point range in the final seconds when George was avoiding the foul.
Hill did an excellent job.
I was a bit surprised with Crittenton, he seemed to look pretty good towards the end of last season, but he struggled more than Mayo tonight.
There were times when he looked nervous (who could blame him) but I gotta agree, Hill didn't look lost and he looked like he could at worst be a defensive ace. Granted it was 1 summer league game but Mayo has been mentioned as the best player in the draft so what Hill did was really impressive for the 26th overall pick.
nice game spurs. for the next games, sho 'em what stuff you're made of. go spurs go
Yeah, I forgot about that garbage three. Good for OJ, but it can't be lumped against Hill's defense.
Hill's showing was actually pretty impressive. He didn't get rattled, while playing good defense and setting up his teammates. Good first game.
No doubt, although George took a charge on Javaris on a fast break and moved his feet well
Mayo went 5 for 17 and one of those shots he made was a half court heave at the end of the 1st quarter, Hill didn't shoot well but did other things and got to the line plenty.
I was looking at the box score and these cats (Memphis) only hit three 3's no? That's pretty good, plus you have to count Mayo half court shot and also his late game tray. If those didn't fall then we would of held them to 1 tray. Not to shabby. I liked what I saw which wasn't very much cause I was at work but tomorrow I will check out the entire game. Cant wait.
Tired? How ing tired can you be at 19 or 20 after some summer scrimmages? If he's tired, then Memphis ed up by picking him. He'll never last 82 REAL games.
Love the quote about tired. It was a good start for Hill showing his defensive side, hope he can fill the offense also.
hill grabs more boards then fab and bonner put together in his first SL game.....guess we found our next bigman...i can already see hill pushing fab out of the way for a rebound....
So he's the Anti-Beno?
hehehe....
I was thinking the same thing, no way in these young studs are tired already, it was 4 freakin games after a summer layoff
You know, I hadn't thought about that. They were all over him. I'm surprised he didn't have more TOs. He did a nice job of adjusting to the traps.
The Griz will probably start Lowry, Mayo, Gay, Arthur and Gasol the Younger next season. Damn young, but so far as young cores go, you can't do much better. Mayo and Gay both have All-Star talent.
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