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| The scoreboard at the 2011 Pacers Draft Party at Conseco Fieldhouse. |
With the 15th pick, Indiana selected Kawhi Leonard, a forward from San Diego State. Kawhi is known for his big hands and rebounding skills. For me, this pick didn’t make any sense; the Pacers did not need any more forwards trying to compete for a starting position.
A few minutes after this, it was announced that Leonard was being traded to the Spurs, for guard George Hill. Jackpot! Needless to say, I was ecstatic after hearing this.
George Hill was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to my alma mater, Broad Ripple High School, and went to college at IUPUI (Indiana University -Purdue University- Indianapolis). He was drafted by the Spurs and has been a member of that club for three seasons.
Here’s what some experts are saying about the Pacers picking up George Hill.
Tom Lewis of Indy Cornrows: “He’s (Hill) not a backup point guard or an undersized shooting guard – Hill is a player. Hill can play either guard spots with any of the other guards on the current roster. But more importantly, Hill is a productive, professional player. Put him on the court and he will consistently play hard at both ends, giving the Pacers playing rotation a much needed boost in reliability and leadership.”
Chad Ford of ESPN: “(Hill's) versatility, toughness and playoff experience on a veteran roster all help accelerate the Pacers’ rebuilding project. He can step in immediately and give them something they need: a guard who can create his own shot and defend.”
Tom Ziller of SB Nation: “The Indiana Pacers were in the fortuitous spot of having a No. 15 in the 2011 NBA Draft in which a number of prized talents slipped out of the lottery. The Pacers struck gold with … George Hill. Did I say gold? I meant, uh, George Hill? They struck George Hill … The Pacers now have Darren Collison, Hill and A.J. Price under contract. Am I missing something? Is Indiana planning on merging Collison and Hill in a grand science experiment?”
Zach Lowe of SI.com: “The numbers peg Hill more as a shooting guard with nice ball-handling skills than someone ready to run a team full time. Luckily for the Pacers, they have a young point guard ready to run an offense full time in Darren Collison, and they have a major need for consistent scoring on the wing. Hill, an Indianapolis native who starred at IUPUI, can fill the same role with the Pacers that he played in San Antonio. He’ll be an immediate upgrade over shooting guards Dahntay Jones, Brandon Rush and Paul George.”
All these quotes were found by www.eightpointsnineseconds.com, an ESPN affiliate that covers the Indiana Pacers.
This is my favorite thought on the acquisition of Hill.
Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star: “Hill isn't a terrific pickup simply because he's a local guy, although that isn't going to hurt any at the box office. (Think owner Herb Simon was loving this move?) Hill is a terrific pickup because he's a proven commodity, an established, grown-up, NBA guard entering his fourth season who can play the point and the two-guard. He makes the Pacers bigger and deeper and more formidable in every conceivable way, leaving absolutely no reason this team shouldn't be better than .500 next season and for years to come.”
Not trying to suck up too much, but this is why Kravitz is my favorite writer. Great minds think alike!
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| George Hill's tattoo of the state of Indiana. You think he's happy to be back? |
The Pacers still have some work to do if they hope to win the NBA Championship, but there is plenty of time and money to do that. The Pacers are way under the salary cap and have players to get rid of. I could almost guarantee that the Pacers are not done wheeling and dealing. It should be a very exciting 2011 season. Go Pacers!
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