Looking at Hill on youtube

[azirish]

Maybe I missed it, but I can't remember seeing youtube clips of Hill so I thought I'd check to see what has been done on his play for last season

Suns Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1EZ7mp6x_c

Grant Hill - Clutch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg35bBRahrY

Vid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D87f7aehrnA This video mixes a lot of old Pistons stuff with some more recent Magic material. It would nice if we were getting the Piston's guy.

2005 All Star Highlights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJZUvj9Y6pE

Marion, Hill, Allen Mix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txVU4bdrcr4
Hill shows a lot more lift than I think most of us give him credit for.

Hill Style http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcml66cYi7o This includes material all the way back to his college days

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It is hard to pull out all the Detroit stuff from the videos, but it looks like he can still get up in the air and has some great moves. Hill is extremely good going left especially off a crossover move. It appears he's got some spin moves that are as imprssive as nything Manu can do. It appears his arms are remarkably long which he really uses in finishing those shots.

 

[mr_sunshine]

He would have been a HOFer for sure even he wasn't always injured.

 

[azirish]

He would have been a HOFer for sure even he wasn't always injured.

I kept hearing that "he's just not the same high flyer he was in the 90's so I was not expected much from his post injury work. I was honestly shocked at how much of his recent work looks like his play in the 90's. It sure looks like he is still very very good.

The most obvious problem Hill creates for opponents is his jab step which forces his man to back off and then he either blows by him or just pulls up for a jumper. His moves, ability to shoot with either hand, willingness to do reverse shots, and to score when fouled makes him a nightmare to defend one on one. It is amazing how few shots he took last season, but perhaps it is because Nelson is no Steve Nash.

You can see why he wants to play with the Suns with the spread out floor and great targets to pass to when helpd defense comes over. He could score a lot of points in the Suns scheme.

 

[Rab]

The good thing about Grant is that he still can handle the ball, and can still slash and cut at a high level. That alone with allow him to hang in the league longer and contribute, despite what leaping and explosive ability he may have lost. He's a very smart player as well. He'll be fine if healthy.

 

[SweetD]

This is a great video Fallen Super Star

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHr1_QGiXY&mode=related&search=

 

[azirish]

This is a great video Fallen Super Star

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbHr1_QGiXY&mode=related&search=

It's the story prior to his comeback in 2004-05 when he came back and made the All Star team. After all he's gone through, you get the feeling that here is a guy who has earned a shot at the title.

 

[azirish]

I can see Hill having a big impact on how the Suns' offense is run. His ability to get the basket and score despite multiple defenders may force teams out of the "take away the three" defense the Suns have been facing. At the same time, his abilty to hit dump off passes looks very promising with Marion coming in from the other side.

 

[Rab]

I can see Hill having a big impact on how the Suns' offense is run. His ability to get the basket and score despite multiple defenders may force teams out of the "take away the three" defense the Suns have been facing. At the same time, his abilty to hit dump off passes looks very promising with Marion coming in from the other side.

I agree. I'm hoping he can help provide us a midrange game we've lacked since JJ bounced.

 

[azirish]

I agree. I'm hoping he can help provide us a midrange game we've lacked since JJ bounced.

JJ had the mid range, but did not really finish that well nor get to the line that often. In 2004-05, JJ took 1179 field goals and 370 were three point attempts; leaving 809 2 point attemps. At the same time, he took 180 free throws.

Last season, Hill took 660 field goal attemps (only 12 were for three) or 648 2 point attemps; but Hill took 324 free throw attempts.

When you watch the videos it is obvious that he is very hard to keep him from getting to the basket without fouling. His mid range shot makes him very very hard to guard since their temptation is is to drop back. It is like with Amare's jump shot, only much more reliable.

 

[Rab]

JJ had the mid range, but did not really finish that well nor get to the line that often. In 2004-05, JJ took 1179 field goals and 370 were three point attempts; leaving 809 2 point attemps. At the same time, he took 180 free throws.

Last season, Hill took 660 field goal attemps (only 12 were for three) or 648 2 point attemps; but Hill took 324 free throw attempts.

When you watch the videos it is obvious that he is very hard to keep him from getting to the basket without fouling. His mid range shot makes him very very hard to guard since their temptation is is to drop back. It is like with Amare's jump shot, only much more reliable.

JJ's midrange game was nowhere near Hill's, but he was able to keep the D honest, because he could get to the basket and had a consistent floater he used a lot.

 

[azirish]

JJ's midrange game was nowhere near Hill's, but he was able to keep the D honest, because he could get to the basket and had a consistent floater he used a lot.

The videos have not shown all the stuff Hill does although the clip called "Grant Hill - Clutch" is a very impressive fall away jumper against coverage.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Umm, this thread is not really complete without

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9raQiHJioGM

 

[CaptainInsano]

It will be nice to finally have a great slasher. You could say barbosa does this but the thing is he does it from up towards the 3 point line where it is obvious we are trying to clear the lane and he is running an iso. That = not very good against the spurs which read and counter it like a book with the best inside-outside collapsing defense in the league.

With Hill and Joe johnson that wasn't the case because they can break into a slash from all areas of the floor, and combined with that had the short-range pull up jumper (we know barbosa doesn't do much of this from inside the 3 line, once he gets passed it you pretty much know he is going to try to force-finish the drive).

Gonna be interesting to see how it all pans out.

 

[azirish]

Umm, this thread is not really complete without

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9raQiHJioGM

If you say so.

BTW, I focused on his Magic highlights. There are just dozens of Piston's highlight videos that will only depress you. He was really amazing. He's terrific now, but just amazing back in his Piston's days.

 

[D-Dogg]

I think this signing just MAY be the one that puts you guys over the top and gets you your first ring. Really...I love Grant Hill. I think he is JUST the piece you have been missing.

The only problem is that I fear D'Antoni may misuse him during the regular season and leave him flat for the playoffs. He has to be used carefully during the season...don't run him out of gas and he can shine in the playoffs. We will see how good Mikey D is as a coach this coming season...how he uses Grant will really show his coaching abilities.

You have all the pieces needed now, IMO. It is your year to win it all. Get a little luck, and you guys might get a parade.

 

[Drop D]

2005 All Star Highlights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJZUvj9Y6pE

I didn't realize that Grant Hill was with the Pistons and Jason Kidd was with the Suns in 2005.

 

[azirish]

I think this signing just MAY be the one that puts you guys over the top and gets you your first ring. Really...I love Grant Hill. I think he is JUST the piece you have been missing.

The only problem is that I fear D'Antoni may misuse him during the regular season and leave him flat for the playoffs. He has to be used carefully during the season...don't run him out of gas and he can shine in the playoffs. We will see how good Mikey D is as a coach this coming season...how he uses Grant will really show his coaching abilities.

You have all the pieces needed now, IMO. It is your year to win it all. Get a little luck, and you guys might get a parade.

The odd part about this season is that D'Antoni may end up with guys complaining about enough minutes rather than too many. They are replacing an 18 minute a game guy with a 30 minute a game guy. This difference (12 minutes) is the average minutes that KT had, which suggests just how big a deal it could turn out to be and that's without using their deep bench guys.

It's too early to evaluate just how this team will operate, but one thing is clear. This team will be much harder to defense than last season's team. Because:

1. Spread the floor to take away the outside shooting and the combination of Hill, Stoudemire and Marion will go a dunking with Barbosa slicing though before anyone can blink.

2. Pack the paint and Nash, Bell, and Barbosa will bomb away with threes, while Hill, Stoudemire, and KT hitting open mid range shots. Even Marion and Diaw are threats.

3. Put your best defender on Nash and Hill will rip up their next best guy.

4. Put your best defender on Hill and the Suns invincible pick and roll will tear through opponents defenses.

5. Zone and Marion will open repeatedly for back door players while three pointer will be hit and mid range shots by the centers will be open form the foul line.

Defense is always about taking options away. But no one can take all the options away and the Suns are going to have quite a lot of options.

 

[D-Dogg]

The odd part about this season is that D'Antoni may end up with guys complaining about enough minutes rather than too many. They are replacing an 18 minute a game guy with a 30 minute a game guy. This difference (12 minutes) is the average minutes that KT had, which suggests just how big a deal it could turn out to be and that's without using their deep bench guys.

It's too early to evaluate just how this team will operate, but one thing is clear. This team will be much harder to defense than last season's team. Because:

1. Spread the floor to take away the outside shooting and the combination of Hill, Stoudemire and Marion will go a dunking with Barbosa slicing though before anyone can blink.

2. Pack the paint and Nash, Bell, and Barbosa will bomb away with threes, while Hill, Stoudemire, and KT hitting open mid range shots. Even Marion and Diaw are threats.

3. Put your best defender on Nash and Hill will rip up their next best guy.

4. Put your best defender on Hill and the Suns invincible pick and roll will tear through opponents defenses.

5. Zone and Marion will open repeatedly for back door players while three pointer will be hit and mid range shots by the centers will be open form the foul line.

Defense is always about taking options away. But no one can take all the options away and the Suns are going to have quite a lot of options.

Agreed on all counts here...you guys got much stronger. However, you MUST keep KT, IMO. He may just be key to a title and he's worth the money. Spend some luxury tax dollars and keep the guy, FFS.

We shall see if Sarver wants to win a title or make a profit this offseason. If he doesn't move KT, you guys are the heavy favorites, IMO. If he moves KT, you will be thin come the playoffs. Spend it to get it, is my opinion.

Grant Hill is the puzzle piece I think you were missing...if you had him this season, you would have won it all. Next year, well...that's all on being healthy, keeping what you have and getting a tad bit of luck....Nash doesn't have a lot left on his odometer, but he's got enough to win Phoenix a ring in a second sport.

Then come the Cards!!!

 

[Cheesebeef]

i still have a bad feeling that KT ain't gonna be on the roster come October. I hope I'm wrong because I agree with Donald - with health, this team as currently constructed is unstoppable IMO.

 

[dodie53]

i hope we keep KT or get a decent C to replace him

 

[elindholm]

Minutes aren't a problem. Trim Nash, Stoudemire, Marion, and Bell by 2-4 per game, and you have all the room for Hill you need.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Minutes aren't a problem. Trim Nash, Stoudemire, Marion, and Bell by 2-4 per game, and you have all the room for Hill you need.

This is a good thing. Hill is the type of player that will force DAntoni to find him minutes (because of his play), dropping Nash, Stoudemire and Marion back slightly.

If Strawberry and Tucker can make the roster I do have hopes of them getting minutes. Because they both seem to be quite effective defenders, Mike might have more confidence in them to hold a lead in a blowout type of situation. Teams that are down big and are still facing really scrappy defense usually just give up.

 

[AZ Shocker]

One of the things I'm excited about in having Grant Hill on the team is having our 2 new rookies learn from a great pro!

 

[HooverDam]

Im so pumped about the addition of Hill to this team, the more I think about it, the more I like it. I think in a way, Hill in the starting 5 makes the Suns a bit more 'traditional' (less 3's), but thats OK, I hope Raja, LB and Nash have their 3 point cannons all shined up and ready to go.

I agree w/ Donald, its imperative to keep KT, but I think the Suns are the odds on favorites for the title this year, even ahead of the Spurs.

Its absolutely sick that the Suns will have 4 starters who have been to multiple All Star games, and oh by the way, the other guy is First Team all Defense, oh, and they also have the NBAs best 6th man. Absolutely sick.