Hill will be starting

[Brianellsworth]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/12/06/20081206sunshill-CR.html

Suns return Hill to starting role

11 commentsby Paul Coro - Dec. 6, 2008 05:09 PM
The Arizona Republic
Suns forward Grant Hill will return to the starting lineup for tonight's home game against Utah, sending fellow small forward Matt Barnes to a reserve role.
Barnes was picked as the Suns' starting small forward toward the end of preseason but Hill has started six games for various situations. This appears to be the first time he is being tabbed as a starter in a permanent switch.
Hill has averaged 12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks in six starts this season. As a reserve, he averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks. His shooting is 47.6 percent as a starter and 44.3 percent as a sub. The Suns have not lost (3-0) with tonight's starting lineup of Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O'Neal and Hill.
Barnes has performed well as a starter, playing 30 or more minutes in each of the past nine games. He is averaging 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.4 blocks. He is shooting 47 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range.
Until this season, Barnes had only started 64 of 286 career games.

 

[Andrew]

why am I a tag?

 

[Brianellsworth]

Its not for you its for Andrew Bogut

 

[Andrew]

right...

 

[Brianellsworth]

So Andrew my friend.....its just me and you in this thread. How do you feel about tonights game? I am excited to see Hill start.'

By the way I sent you a friend request...I hope you will accept.

 

[Andrew]

odd...

 

[Brianellsworth]

odd...

Yes trying to be friends with people from a message board you spend a lot of time on is really odd.

 

[Brianellsworth]

Mods Please Delete This Thread It Is Useless

 

[Roca Dolla]

interesting.....

 

[Brianellsworth]

interesting.....

Hill starting or mine and Andrews conversation via this thread? Please say Hill starting so I can feel somewhat validated for starting this thread

 

[dodie53]

i think it's better if Hill comes off the bench,
coz he is our 'back up PG'

 

[Brianellsworth]

i think it's better if Hill comes off the bench,
coz he is our 'back up PG'

True but at this point and time I am all for anything that will change things up one way or another and see if we can find a little spark somewhere we haven't before. Its a long shot but right now I will take anything.

 

[Ninjafish]

Smart move. Even if it doesn't work, at least Porter is trying different stuff.

 

[AceP]

Hmm, Hill starting means we'll see more Barbosa + Barnes. It will definitely improve our defence quality of second unit. It is also 3p shooting related. Bell is doing well with his 3p shots, keep both him and Barnes on court is kind of wasting, while our second unit is particular poor in 3p%, largely due to under 30% from Barbosa.

Barnes is a very good passer, not as creative as Hill, but averaging 2.3 assists per game which is actually second in the team. Together with Diaw (2.1apg), I dont think the playmaking of second unit would be a problem.

 

[shazaam6]

I like Hill as a starter and Barnes paired with Barbosa off the bench. I hope Porter sticks with this.

 

[BC867]

Porter's biggest consideration in making the change was that Grant Hill needs more time to warm up than Barnes coming off the bench.

Filling a void on the court (such as assists by the second unit) should be the other major consideration.

Then, minutes played (especially in Hill's case) and who closes the game.

I appreciate that Grant Hill is willing to try whatever works best. He sets an excellent example as a team player.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Does this mean I can take my foot out of my mouth now?

 

[nashman]

Hill looks much better starting rather than off the bench, hope this trend continues.

 

[mojorizen7]

As long as Barnes still gets heavy minutes i don't have a problem w/this move.
Now ,if we can just Bell outta the starting lineup........