Expect Spurs' Hill to be playoff spectator
Jeff McDonald
OAKLAND, Calif. — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has spent the past few weeks fine-tuning his rotation as the playoffs approach.
As things stand today, rookie guard George Hill won't be in it. If that wasn't made obvious by Hill's flagging playing time lately, Popovich all but made it official before Monday's game at Golden State.
“This playoff probably isn't for him,” Popovich said.
As the 26th overall pick in last year's NBA draft, Hill had been a revelation, filling in for an injured Tony Parker at point guard to start the season and later sliding over to provide depth at the other guard spot. He remains one of the team's best on-the-ball defenders.
Still, Popovich doesn't believe Hill is comfortable enough at either spot to get serious minutes in the pressure cooker of the playoffs.
“He's working at the one guard, working at the two-three,” Popovich said. “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.”
Over the past 12 games, Hill has surrendered playing time to Ime Udoka and Bruce Bowen on the wing, logging more than nine minutes just three times. One of those came in Monday's win over the Warriors, as the Spurs opened up a 20-point lead in the first half.
Unwanted help: Popovich got some unwanted help in solidifying his rotation — from Manu Ginobili.
When Ginobili went down with a season-ending stress fracture a week ago Monday, it had the side effect of clarifying other people's roles.
“Manu's out, so you know that's the way it is,” Popovich said. “Bruce and Ime are going to be the wings that are going to play. Roger (Mason) is back at the point. Drew Gooden is obviously in the rotation. It's a lot more set now, mostly because we know Manu is out.”
The biggest benefactor of Ginobili's season-ending injury, in terms of minutes, has been Bowen.
Bowen had fallen out of the rotation until Ginobili went down, taking an occasional DNP-CD along the way.
“He's been a pro,” Popovich said. “We've talked about it. He understands what we're trying to do. Him being back in the lineup is basically a function of Manu being out. It changes not just for him, but for everybody.”
Homeward bound: The Spurs stayed over a night in the Bay Area after Monday's game, using today as a travel day to get home.
The New Orleans Hornets will be waiting for them. They played in Houston on Monday, giving them a 45-minute plane ride to San Antonio for Wednesday's game.
Hill in his first extended time in forever looked pretty damn good. He had a few hiccups early on but his outside stroke was more pure than I've seen this season. He had a quick release and good elevation.
I'll never understand why he fell totally out of this year's rotation but I'm really hope that Pop plans to stick with him and give him significant time next year. It'd be a shame to give up on him.
Exactly, it's called untapped game.
It would be a fricking shame if he went with Jacque Vaughn instead.
it really doesn't seem like Pop has given up on him..they seemed to bond, and George seemed to impress Pop earlier in the season..
I think it's strictly a product of Pop being scared to use a rookie PG in the playoffs..it would be different if Hill was a pure PG coming into the L as a PG..but he's a 2-guard coming into the NBA trying to learn the PG position..so it would be difficult imagining Pop having him play in the playoffs..
I'm interested to see if Pop plays him more on Wednesday after tonight's game..
timvp you going to put up ratings today?
I agree with Texas 2 Step..
realistically, we aren't going to win a le this year..but we definitely have a shot next year..
it would be nice for Hill to get some experience in this year's playoffs, since Manu is out and all..something like 6-8MPG would be good enough..
I guess he meant beneficiary not benefactor.
Re Hill, he showed what he's capable of vs. the Warriors. He may not be in the rotation but I'm sure he'll be on tap when a particular situation calls for his particular abilities.
the truly frustrating thing is that there are going to be teams in the playoffs that have guards that only Hill (and maybe TP) can keep up with. I hope Pop changes his mind. If we play Portland, I'd feel better with Hill on Roy than most of our other options.
I really don't think Pop is going to give him ZERO minutes..I'm sure he's going to throw him in there when he can be used..
He's not a point guard.
He's a shooting guard.
He's not yet ready for the NBA at the shooting guard position.
Move along.
At least the rotations are finally set, for the most part.
Pop's strong denial of reality might actually be an asset for the team. He's marching into the playoffs as if winning and going deep is still feasible. It might help keep the team motivated. At the same time, I agree that that Hill should get some minutes. Even if his only job is to hand the ball off to Mason, he should get some experience of the playoffs, otherwise his maturation process will be even slower. I'm pretty sure time isn't on our side in this category.
I thought you didn't bought that Pop didn't play him because he was not ready. I see you changed your mind rather quickly now that Pop has spoken...
Yah because when Parker was out, he was a really bad PG!
Not. He kept us in it as much as RMJr did. Pop has said that Hill is too small for a SG.
There are no legit 6'2" shooting guards in the league. If that's your assessment of Hill, then you should probably advocate trading him because he'll never be ready to play the 2 in the NBA. He's not big enough.
And BTW, I called this a while back. I do really think Pop loves George, but he wants him to take one step at a time. I actually think its the opposite of what he did with Beno. Hill will be a contributor next season, you can bet on that.
What is Jamal Crawford?
Try that one more time.
a 6 foot 4 chucker.
Reagrding the size argument, there are guards like Jason Terry and Allen Iverson who at this point have nowhere near Hill's athleticism. A more classic example could be Jeff Hornacek.
A 6'3 shooting guard with less of a frame than Hill whos gone on to have a successfull career.
Hill can as well, his length makes up for the height.
If crawford is 6'3 then sequ is 4'4.
Hill has huge length and athleticism..he can definitely play the undersized 2 if that's where Pop wants him..
Vaughn over Hill makes me want to throw a brick through my TV every game.
Exactly!
Vaughn over Hill makes me want to throw a brick through my TV every game.
Which begs the question, if Hill is such a question mark now, why was he having such success running the team back in November when Tony was out?
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