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Suns Ring of Honor great Dan Majerle awarded the 2007-08 Majerle Hustle Award to Grant Hill prior to Wednesday's regular-season finale at U.S. Airways Center.
(Josh Greene/Suns.com)
On a night where the Suns racked up a “W” in their regular-season finale, earning a trip to San Antonio to battle the Spurs this Saturday in Game 1 of the Opening Round of the NBA Playoffs, a very different kind of victory preceded the 100-91 win over the Trail Blazers.
During pre-game festivities, Suns Ring of Honor great Dan Majerle presented the 2007-08 Majerle Hustle Award to guard Grant Hill, who now joins the ranks of teammates and recent winners Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell.
“It means a lot,” Hill told Suns.com about receiving the award. “Dan is somebody I’ve always respected as a player and as a professional. I never really looked at myself as a hustle player, but I appreciate the acknowledgment.”
Created by Suns Chairman Jerry Colangelo, the award is presented to the Suns player who most personifies the qualities of “Thunder Dan,” who, as Colangelo said at No. 9’s Ring of Honor ceremony in 2003, “gave maximum effort in every game, every practice… in everything he did.”
The winner of the award was selected based on the results of five voting categories: Suns fans, Suns players, Suns coaches, Suns employees and by Majerle himself.
“Grant just epitomizes everything I like in a player,” Majerle told Suns.com.
“He’s very versatile. He’s been around for a long time and does whatever it takes to win. He fills up the stat sheet, but he also does a lot of things that don’t show up… hustling after loose balls and steals. You’d think a guy who’s been injured as much as he has in the past would be more cautious, but he’s not. He plays 100 percent, all out, every night. There is a not a better person to receive this award.”
Even though he was inactive Wednesday after straining a groin in Monday’s win, Hill explained that overall he’s content with what he’s brought to the playoff-bound Suns in his first season in the Valley, and he hopes they are, as well.
“As crazy as it sounds sitting out tonight, I’m proud to have played 70 games,” the guard said. “That’s the most for me in 10 years. Hopefully, my teammates have been able to rely on me. I do little things that may not show up in the box score, but I hope I’ve contributed to us winning.”
Hill Grants Wish for Family
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Grant Hill meets the Davis family after Wednesday morning's Suns shootaround.
(Josh Greene/Suns.com)
Even though he didn’t suit up for Wednesday’s win, Grant Hill still found a way to make an impact for a select group of Suns fans and more importantly, fulfill a major wish.
In conjunction with the Dream Foundation, a non-profit group that enhances the quality of life for individuals and families battling terminal illnesses, Larry Davis and his wife, Shelly and their 5-year-old son, Gibson, all got a chance to meet the Suns star after the morning shootaround.
Larry, who’s battling multiple sclerosis, got his wish of attending a Suns game and introducing his son to Hill, whom he feels is the epitome of a positive role model.
“You don’t have to be an athlete, a celebrity or any other high-profile person to be a role model,” Hill said. “We all can do that. We all can find people to look up to and strive to be like. I had role models, people who I looked up to as a kid and people I look up to now. I’m always trying to do better in life – as a parent and a human being. It’s important to have role models and it’s important to those of us who are role models to do the best we can.”
Hill presented young Gibson with a Suns backpack, a handshake and a few inspirational words.
“I was just trying to bring a smile to his face," Hill continued, "and have it be something he’ll remember as he gets older and navigates through life.
“Like any other athlete, I’m just trying to do my part.”
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