Grant Hill’s Interesting Season

April 15th, 2008 at 10:09 am
By Chris

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Grant Hill’s inaugural season in Phoenix would have to be considered a success. He’s averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists on a team that doesn’t require him to be a take-over-the-game star. And he’s flourished in this roll. After having his ankle reconstructed — complete with a staph infection that almost killed — not to mention a number of leg issues related to recovery of his ankle issues, most people would have left the game of basketball forever.

I think it’s safe to say running and jumping for 48 minutes can put some excessive wear and tear on leg that’s had a number of surgical issues.

Nevertheless, Hill has persevered and is having one of his best seasons since his Detroit days for the Phoenix Suns — who just eliminated the Golden State Warriors from the playoffs last night (2-13 Baron? Really?). He has a career high in 3-point attempts by a large margin at 104. His previous high was 98 attempts in his last season with the Pistons. He’s also making them at a consistent rate, hitting 31%.

Of course, the one specter hanging over Hill’s head is a return of his leg issues (remember, basketball is a running and jumping sport) and when he left the game in the first quarter last night with a groin pull, the “Grant Hill’s hurt again” talk resurfaced. Hill left the game after just 13 minutes because of his groin.

Adding insult to injury was the fact Hill was off to a white-hot start, having already scored 12 points in the 13 minutes he was on the court. Fortunately for the Suns, the groin issue looks to be minor one. When asked about being held out of Phoenix’s next game, Hill informed the media of his plans:

“I’ll override that.”

Apparently, Hill’s groin muscles are fine and he seems bound and determined not to let his injury-riddled past catch up to him. Nevertheless, I don’t recall Grant Hill — even when he was playing in Orlando after his initial ankle reconstruction — getting dunked on so memorably. Not once, but twice.

I’m sure you all remember, but if not, here’s a refresher:

Merry Christmas from Trevor Ariza.

And then, Andre Iguodala decided he’d like to dunk over Grant Hill as well.

Perhaps he needs to stop trying to take charges.

Although, Grant did have a moment of his own. Just ask DeSagana Diop.

So while Hill was the victim of two posters and his groin injury could be potentially nagging, it’s fairly safe to say he’s completely bounced back; much more than a lot of people would ever expect, especially when you consider the amount of negative news surrounding his legs while he was in Orlando. For the season, Hill has played 70 games, the most since his last year in Detroit (99-00) and has been a valuable piece to the Phoenix Suns attack.

But man, I never thought I’d see him get dunked on like that — twice in one season. Didn’t Mike Krzyzewski teach you any better than that?