“I’d like to think it works to our advantage,” said Hill, per The Athletic. “I think we have to be mindful and respectful that these players are on airplanes all throughout the regular season and kind of move from city to city, bed to bed, hotel to hotel. It’s a grind. I think once we get there and we get settled, we can kind of plant some roots for a couple of weeks. I think it is something that can work to our advantage.”

Team USA came up short in their last World Cup, finishing only seventh place while losing to France in the quarterfinals. The red, white, and blue had previously won the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

In FIBA’s latest power rankings, the U.S. was ranked second behind Spain for the first time since 2010. Although the U.S. won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, this was not convincing enough to take the number one spot. 

The draw for the 32-team World Cup field will begin on April 29.

The post Team USA Will Play the 2023 World Cup In The Philippines appeared first on SLAM.

Hill, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this past weekend, thinks Tatum’s potential is “scary.”

How can Jayson Tatum get on Grant Hill’s HOF trajectory? Hill: “I think he’s on his way.”https://t.co/rdNtbbh1HQ pic.twitter.com/xM5M01Iwhw

— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) September 7, 2018

Hill believes Tatum can only benefit from playing on a ridiculously-loaded Boston Celtics team.

Per MassLive:

“He’s a grinder,” Hill said. “He’s a guy that you can tell from his skill set. If you’re that young, to be that polished already, footwork, the understanding of how to use his body, how to get off his shot, his total package, his bag of tricks. It’s at an elite level to be young. You don’t just naturally get that. That’s hours and hours of putting time in the gym.”

What does Tatum need to do to reach the same status?

“I think he’s on his way,” Hill said. “… He’s in a great situation, which is really good. In some ways you could say it’s a blessing and a curse. Because (the Celtics) are so talented, he doesn’t have to do as much, which is great for a young player, and they have a chance to win a championship, and have a lot of runway for the next five, six, eight years. But also it doesn’t really allow us to see the full package. I think we did see that last year when injuries hit that team, and now it was like they needed him to show and prove, and he did. And he was just a rookie. 19 years old. I think time. Time is what he needs, and I can’t wait to watch and see what he ultimately becomes. It’s scary.”

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Jayson Tatum: ‘I Definitely Have Gotten a Lot Stronger’

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Check out some of the speeches below, via the NBA.

Grant Hill was a two-time NCAA Champion and seven-time All-Star:

Steve Nash was a two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star:

Ray Allen, the all-time leader in three-point field goals, was a ten-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion:

Jason Kidd was a ten-time All-Star who is second on the all-time assist list:

Congrats to the entire class: Maurice Cheeks, Tina Thompson, Charles “Lefty” Driesell, Charlie Scott, Rick Welts, Rod Thorn, Dino Radja, Katie Smith, Ora Mae Washington.

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The post Ray Allen, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash and Grant Hill Get Inducted into Hall of Fame appeared first on SLAM.

Here is the list of 13 players to be inducted:

1. Point guard Jason Kidd (10x NBA All-Star, second on the all-time assist list)
2. Point guard Steve Nash (2x MVP, 8x NBA All-Star, third on the all-time assist list)
3. Forward Grant Hill (2x NCAA Champion, 7x NBA All-Star)
4. Sharpshooter Ray Allen (All-time leader in three-point field goals, 10x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA Champion)
5. Point guard Maurice Cheeks (4x NBA All-Star, 5x All-Defense)
6. Forward Tina Thompson (4x WNBA Champion, first college player selected in WNBA draft)
7. Coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell (won 100 games at four different schools, inventor of “Midnight Madness”)
8. Shooting guard Charlie Scott (5x All-Star, 1976 NBA Champion)
9. Executive Rick Welts (marketed 1992 Dream Team and helped launch WNBA)
10. Player, coach and executive Rod Thorn (2015 Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award winner)
11. International star Dino Radja (one of FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players)
12. Guard/forward Katie Smith (All-time leading scorer in women’s professional basketball, 2x WNBA Champion)
13. Ora Mae Washington (Born in 1898, Washington was part of 11 straight Women’s Colored Basketball Championship teams)

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Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jason Kidd Headline 2018 Hall of Fame Candidates

The post Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame Class Of 2018 Announced appeared first on SLAM.

A formal announcement is expected at Final Four weekend:

Grant Hill, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash have been notified that each will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018, sources tell ESPN. Formal announcement comes at Final Four weekend.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 29, 2018

Maurice Cheeks will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2018, league source tells ESPN. He will join Nash, Hill and Kidd as part of starry group.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 29, 2018

Hill was a seven-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection. For his career (1994-2013), the versatile forward averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

Kidd made 10 All-Star appearances and six All-NBA teams during his career. He is currently second on the all-time assist list (12,091).

Nash was a two-time MVP, eight-time All-Star, and seven-time All-NBA selection. He is third on the all-time assist list (10,335) behind Kidd.

Cheeks was a four-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive player who won the 1983 championship with the Sixers. Since his retirement in 1993, he has coached for Philly, Portland, Detroit, and OKC (where he is currently an assistant).

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Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jason Kidd Headline 2018 Hall of Fame Candidates

The post Report: Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Maurice Cheeks To Enter Hall of Fame appeared first on SLAM.

Hill shed light on a few of the major storylines to monitor this year, including: Will No. 1 seeded Virginia finally find postseason success? Who will emerge from a tough Midwest region that features historic programs like Kansas, Duke, and Michigan State? And what potential sleeper team can make a run?

He also stressed the immense level of parity in today’s college game: “Usually when I set up my brackets, I probably have two or three No. 1 seeds [in the Final Four]. I’m not sure I’m willing to do that. It’s possible that no No. 1 seeds makes it.”

Read more from Grant below.

***

SLAM: Is there a particular sleeper or upset team that stands out to you?

Grant Hill: I do watch a lot of ACC basketball, for obvious reasons. I like Virginia Tech. They’ve had some really good wins, they’re battle tested. They played in the ACC which had nine teams from the conference make it. They’re a team that is capable and certainly can go for a nice long run.

I love San Diego State and Steve Fisher, and the potential matchup with Michigan in the second round. Steve Fisher coaching against Michigan, a team that he took to a championship. But [SDSU] is a team that is always good, always talented, well-coached. And a lot of people don’t see them and they’re not on the radar like other programs.

Another team—they are a No. 2 seed so it’s kind of hard to call them a sleeper—but I think Cincinnati is a team that can get to the Final Four. I’d love to see that matchup of No. 2 Cincinnati vs. No. 1 Virginia—two great defensive teams going at it. It’s hard to call teams sleepers because I think there’s a lot of balance. There are a lot of teams that are capable. I just think it speaks to the level playing field.

SLAM: What about an unheralded player that you think could break out in the tournament?

GH: I think Rob Gray from Houston. He’s a very talented point guard. He’s a senior, he’s athletic, he’s the emotional leader for that team. And you get him in the tournament against a team that’s not accustomed to seeing him, he could put up a lot of numbers at that point guard position for the Houston Cougars.

At the end of the day, in terms of great performances, in the game now I believe you need to have dominant guard play. You need to be able to have a point guard or lead guard who can score and control the game. And obviously those teams that have that position themselves nicely to really have a nice run and emerge on a big stage when the whole world is watching.

SLAM: You spent four seasons with Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. Beyond his obvious knowledge of the game, what makes him such a great coach?

GH: I think there’s a lot of qualities that made him a great coach. And as great as he was, he’s even better now. I think he’s a great communicator, he’s a relationship coach. He really understands people and takes the time to get to know who you are and how you can best succeed. And then he tries to put you in those situations where individually you can be successful but within a team framework. That’s what always has impressed me about him. He can connect with you. He can get the most out of you. And he can adapt and adjust to who you are, to what the team is year in and year out. I really do think that’s where a large part of his genius is at.

SLAM: From your experience, what are the keys to winning a national championship? What does it take to get it done?

GH: Well there’s the obvious, you have to have talent and great coaching. But I think as you get into the tournament, and this is even more the case now with technology and all the so-called distractions that are there, you have to have an incredible focus.

One thing that we did, and Coach K really set the tone with this, was we just focused on what we called ‘four-team tournaments.’ It wasn’t like we just focused on one team, we focused on all three teams. Like we’re in this tournament next weekend, [we have] our opponent on Friday and then the winner of so and so game—we’ll meet them on Sunday. That was not disrespecting or looking past that first opponent. But I think when you look at the entire 64, or now 68, teams, it can be overwhelming. It can just be a lot.

We just focused in on those four teams, including ourselves. Let’s win this little four team tournament this weekend. Let’s not get caught up in all the hype. Let’s just be locked in in terms of what’s ahead this weekend. Once you advance week to week, and you get to the Final Four and Finals, our approach was the same. Nothing changed from that first weekend until the last weekend.

And sprinkled in throughout the course of the season, [Coach K] would always schedule two or maybe even three sets of games where you had two games in three days. So it might be like a Wednesday game and a Friday game, where you had a day in between. That was always done to prepare us for the tournament. The whole idea of mentally and emotionally being ready, and then on a quick turnaround, recovering and then getting yourself ready for that second game in three days. It wasn’t just OK, flip the switch now that we’re in the tournament. It was, let’s prepare ourselves throughout the entire regular season so once we get there, we’re ready to go.

https://youtu.be/J3_IT622Sbc

SLAM: You had the length-of-the-floor assist on “The Shot”—Christian Laettner’s game-winner over Kentucky in the 1992 Elite Eight. When those historic moments happen during the tournament, are you conscious of just how big they are?

GH: When that Kentucky thing happened, or I had a dunk against Kansas that was a big play, I never thought 25 years later people would still be talking about it. It speaks to the tournament, and how it affects people. I was a part of a couple of really cool plays, but there have been loads of other plays that are embedded in our whole psyche as a it relates to the tournament. I think of Dereck Whittenburg and Lorenzo Charles, Michael Jordan’s shot, Mario Chalmers’ three-pointer. I think of Gordon Hayward’s miss against Duke and how he almost hit that shot from half court. Or how Villanova won their championship. Those type of plays seem to go on and last forever.

The first tournament game I ever watched was 1982, North Carolina vs. Georgetown. And I remember watching that game in real time and Jordan hit that shot, and I’ve seen it hundreds, maybe thousands of times since. And it’s all associated with just what’s unique and special about the NCAA Tournament.

SLAM: Around this time, with excitement for the tournament building, do you find yourself going back and revisiting those moments?

GH: I don’t even really have to go and seek out the highlights, they seem to play them all the time. So I get to relive really special moments every year and also get to be reminded of a series of bad haircuts that I had back in the day [laughs]. But yeah, especially for me in this role. When I was still playing in the NBA, you would watch [the tournament] and you’d keep up, but you’re still in that NBA grind. Now that I’m retired, I’ve covered the games in some capacity for the last five years. Now that you’re in it, you’re there, you’re at the practices, and you’re interviewing the coaches, and you’re spending time with the players and the broadcast crew. It really does take you back.

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The post Grant Hill Talks NCAA Tournament, Duke, Playing in the National Championship and More appeared first on SLAM.

The colorway draws direct inspiration from the Pistons’ famous uniforms that Grant Hill used to get buckets in. The Fila 95s have Pony Hair trim, a patent leather upper, and a clear ice outsole that features the Pistons Horse flame.

Hill wore the Horse uniform on the cover of SLAM 17, released back in 1997. Though the Filas have sold out, there are still a limited number of Starter jackets available at Mr. Alan’s.

The post Limited Edition Starter Jacket and Fila 95 Release at Mr. Alan’s in Detroit appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, six former players—Nash, Allen, Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Grant Hill and Rip Hamilton—are eligible for the first time.

Other eligible players include Chris Webber, Ben Wallace, Muggsy Bogues, Maurice Cheeks, Tim Hardaway and Sidney Moncrief.

The post Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jason Kidd Headline 2018 Hall of Fame Candidates appeared first on SLAM.

The Magic have dismissed Rob Hennigan as General Manager.

: https://t.co/jJuK0GY1sB pic.twitter.com/0crxGaATqx

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 13, 2017

Orlando ended the season with a disappointing 29-53 record, and their rebuilding project appears to have no end in sight.

The franchise reportedly wants to hire Grant Hill to take on front-office duties:

Sources tell the Orlando Sentinel that Magic officials have interest in former NBA All-Star and former Magic player Grant Hill to work as president of basketball operations. But it’s unclear if Hill has interest in the job. Joining the Magic would require Hill to divest his small ownership stake in the Atlanta Hawks.

 

If Hill doesn’t have interest, candidates for the general manager job likely would include Detroit Pistons associate general manager and former Magic player Pat Garrity and Golden State Warriors assistant general manager Travis Schlenk.

 

The Magic also fired assistant general manager Scott Perry on Thursday. […] Magic assistant GM Matt Lloyd has been named the team’s interim GM and team officials said Lloyd will be a candidate for the permanent job.

The post Orlando Magic Fire GM Rob Hennigan appeared first on SLAM.

But with the help of Grant Hill, Pizza Hut has met the frontier of sneaker design–shoes that order food for you.

The “Pie Tops” use geolocation technology to send a notification to the Pie Tops app, not the Pizza Hut app, to get the wearer some ‘za. The catch is only 64 pairs were created, matching with the field of 64 teams that will be participating in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Each pair was handmade by the Shoe Surgeon.

The sneakers aren’t releasing to retail. But our friends from Pizza Hut stopped by the SLAM offices on Monday and we got the chance to test out the technology—with delicious results. Check it out:

h/t AdWeek

The post Pizza Hut Makes Sneakers That Can Order Pizza appeared first on SLAM.

But turns out, he wasn’t done with the game just yet.

Hill has remained close to basketball, as a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, co-host of NBA TV’s Inside Stuff (which celebrated it’s 100th episode this past weekend), NBA analyst and color commentator on TNT.  “Basketball has really been a part of my whole adult life,” he told SLAM, “My life is consumed with the NBA, maybe even more so now than when I was a player. But it’s great to still have the relationship to the sport and to the League. And to continue to contribute to its success. That’s the way I look at it.”

This seemingly never-ending relationship between Hill and the NBA has made him an expert on our evolving league. He shared his take on how styles have changed, the success of Steve Kerr, and more.

—

SLAM: How do you think the game has evolved since you retired?

The post Grant Hill Talks Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Triple-Doubles and Steve Kerr’s Transition To Coaching appeared first on SLAM.

The Zen Master says that Kobe demanded a trade during their first season together, and Jackson claims that he very briefly toyed with the idea of taking the Detroit Pistons up on their offer for Grant Hill.

Phil Jackson briefly entertained idea of trading Kobe to #Pistons for Grant Hill. What if it happened? #Lakers https://t.co/5tOpgdOYPu

— Today's Fastbreak (@TodaysFastbreak) September 2, 2016

Jackson and Bryant would continue to butt heads, but formed a legendary partnership that netted them five NBA championships.

Per Today’s Fastbreak:

“Kobe showed up at the press conference that introduced me as the new Lakers coach. He came up to my hotel room afterwards and we had our first face-to-face connection. He said he had read all about my championships with the Bulls and had studied several game tapes, so he was very excited. Kobe was 20 years old and had already played three NBA seasons.[…] “The Summer League was in Los Angeles that year and we sat together to watch the games that the Lakers had. Jim Cleamons was one of my assistant coaches in Chicago and would also be on my staff with the Lakers. So it was JC who coached the team of free-agent hopefuls and draft choices. As I explained the unfolding of the elementary triangle offense that JC had installed, as well as more of the advanced principles, Kobe was still excited. It was clear to me that he not only was willing to learn, but that he really wanted to learn.

 

“Then he fell and broke his wrist in our first exhibition game. For several weeks, Kobe had to be sidelined and watch guys like (Shaquille O’Neal), Glen Rice, Ron Harper, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, A.C. Green, Brian Shaw and Robert Horry pile up a 10-1 record. Shaq had really bought into the triangle and was well established at the heart of our offense. […] When Kobe was healed and ready to return, I was a bit reluctant to make a major alteration in our winning combination. So I suggested that Kobe come off the bench. ‘I don’t see myself not starting,’ was his response. ‘I don’t want to be known as a bench player.’ Here was a 20-year-old already concerned about his legacy. So we had a little pushback, an indication of what might lie ahead.

 

“A couple of weeks later, we’re still winning and Shaq is completely motivated. But Kobe was only averaging about 19 points per game. So Kobe called Jerry West and wanted to know how Jerry and Elgin Baylor both averaged 30 points. Kobe also said that he wanted to be traded. Of course, Jerry told me about the conversation. And, for a few minutes I thought about taking the Pistons up on an offer they made to trade Kobe for Grant Hill. Make that a few seconds. […] The thing was that Kobe already saw himself as being one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. I thought that, in time, he would indeed reach that goal.”

The post Phil Jackson Considered Trading Kobe Bryant for Grant Hill appeared first on SLAM.

But that team could never match the impact the Dream Team had on or off the floor. Or the star power that the Dream Team rolled around with. Michael, Magic and Larry? C’mon.

The 1996 Olympics were even held in America. That team, though, hasn’t been remembered the way the best of the national teams have. Look closely at the roster and it doesn’t make any sense. The squad was STACKED:

David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, Gary Payton, Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller, Penny Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal and Grant Hill, with the legendary Lenny Wilkens sitting at the helm.

That’s 10 Hall of Famers, with possibly two more to come. Add in the second winningest coach in NBA history, too. Sure, their 102 points per game isn’t the Dream Team’s 117 ppg. But the 1996 team gave up the fewest points per game to their opponent since NBA players were allowed to wear the Red, White and Blue. With just 70.2 points given up each time out, 106 total steals and and everyone besides Miller registering at least one block, Dream Team II’s defense was actually a nightmare.

So was their offense. Hakeem got subbed out by Shaq, the Admiral rotated with Malone and Barkley. Double the big men? Open three for Miller or Richmond or an open lane for Pippen, Hill or Hardaway. Then the pick-and-roll was run to perfection by Stockton and Payton.

They whipped the ball around beautifully. Five players had at least 20-plus total assists. Nine of the 12 had double-digit dimes throughout the eight games. By the end of the Atlanta Games, the basketball team had firmly established its chokehold over the rest of the world, even if no one gives them the credit.

“The whole Olympic experience was off the charts,” says Grant Hill. “There was a pretty significant degree of separation between our team and the rest of the field. Although we respected everybody, we knew we were gonna win.

“Really it was the relationships with the guys,” he continues. “We spent a lot of time together. What I loved and what I think back on is the practices. The matchups. Going against Scottie, at my position. Looking at David Robinson battling with Shaq or Hakeem Olajuwon. The practices were just insane. The banter, the trash talking.”

The 1992 team might be most famous for their time away from the cameras when the trash talk floated all around Barcelona. While they were together, there were intense practices, drunken beach days, tee times at the links, card games all night. One of the reasons the world connected so much with that team is because they were let into the lives of Barkley, Jordan and Ewing.

There aren’t so many of those stories about the 1996 team, which could be why they aren’t thrown up there with the ’92 or 2008 teams. But just because we don’t know about them doesn’t mean those moments didn’t happen.

“One night, before we got to the Olympics, I went out with Scottie,” Hill remembers. “We were in Orlando. We went to a party. We got back, played cards, and I might’ve left at like 5:30, six in the morning. We had practice at, like, 11. Scottie might’ve stayed up the whole night. In practice, he was running circles around me.”

Twenty years later, Hill’s face looks tired even thinking about how Pippen did all that. “I could not understand how he could stay out that late and still come in and practice and be great.”

Hill goes on to say that the 1996 team did have a bunch of those late nights and crazy bus rides and dinners together. The chemistry they showed on the court would back that up. Their 133 points against China is the second most scored in one game between the 1992 and 2012 Olympics. The only team that put up more b-b-buckets is the 2012 group, when they dropped 156 on Nigeria. (Salute, Captain America.)

It seems like the only way the 1996 team would get their due is by beating the Dream Team. Grant Hill is confident in the outcome of a single game between the two.

“I’d say 1996.” Hill looks up into the sky while he picks the winner, looking like he’s picturing the game.

“We had good balance. We had some younger players. I think with Shaq, with Penny when he was right—you had the legends like David Robinson, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen. Then you had those guys that were right in their prime. Reggie, Mitch Richmond, Gary Payton. Then you had the young guys like myself, Penny and Shaq. I’d pay to see it. I’d like to think that we could get them. I’m glad you brought that up, I feel like we don’t get the respect.” He says that last sentence with a smile.

Coach Wilkens, an assistant in 1992 and the head coach in 1996, however, isn’t quite as sure.

“They’re both good teams,” he says, remaining completely neutral. “I know what Gary and Mitch Richmond would say. They would say we’d win. I’m sure that the ’92 team would say the same thing. I enjoyed coaching all those guys.” Forever the player’s coach.

The 1992 team told the world that America was the example for basketball. The 1996 team backed that up almost effortlessly.

“The 1996 team, we were,” Hill begins. Before he finishes his sentence, an adjective to describe his Olympic team is thrown out at him. He agrees with it. “We were stacked,” he says.

—

Top image courtesy of Getty, other images courtesy of Bayley Claro Resetar

The post Way Past Due appeared first on SLAM.

Edwards, from Cairo, GA, is the best basketball player to ever suit up for the US. She has an unprecedented five Gold medals, going from being the youngest player on the team in 1984, to the oldest in 2000. Robinson was a member of both the 1992 Dream Team and Dream Team II in 1996. That ’96 squad was coached by Wilkens and also featured Hill.

Check out pictures of the meet-and-greet up top and hit up the NBA Store to for all your Team USA gear.

Photos by Bayley Claro Resetar

The post David Robinson, Grant Hill, Lenny Wilkens and Teresa Edwards Meet Fans at the NBA Store appeared first on SLAM.

The post Grant Hill Shares NBA Finals Pick, Marriage Tips (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Philips Arena will be tossed into the agreement, which requires the approval of the NBA Board of Governors.

Ressler’s ownership group includes seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill.

From the press release and AJC:

The Atlanta Hawks today announced that a definitive agreement has been signed for the purchase of the NBA franchise by an ownership group led by Tony Ressler, co-founder of Ares Management. The group also includes seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, Clayton Dubilier & Rice partner Rick Schnall, and Spanx founder Sara Blakely and Marquis Jet co-founder Jesse Itzler, who are married.

 

Ressler, 55, will be the clear majority owner of the franchise. He is a co-founder of two private equity firms, Apollo Global Management and Ares Management. He is also a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. According to Forbes Magazine, he is worth approximately $1.43 billion dollars.

 

There are several issues within the organization that need to be resolved with new ownership. The status of general manager Danny Ferry remains up in the air as he has been on indefinite leave of absence since September. Ferry and Hill both played for Duke University but were two years apart. The organizational structure of the franchise could also face changes, including the role of (current Hawks CEO Steve Koonin). The three-year contract of (Mike) Budenholzer, who was just named the NBA Coach of the Year, expires after next season. Budenholzer has been working with the current basketball operations staff to run the team. The Hawks also have two key unrestricted free agents this summer in Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll.

The post Atlanta Hawks Agree to Sale of Reportedly $750-$900 Million appeared first on SLAM.

Shaquille O’Neal, Grant Hill, Kenny Smith and Ms. Minaj all dropped rhymes.

But it was host Ernie Johnson who stole the show, and hilariously dropped the mic.

(H/T: the great @cjzero)

The post Nicki Minaj and ‘Inside the NBA’ Crew in a Rap Cypher (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Interview by Alex Stoddard, Max Tracey, Mathias Tankersley

Recently, Game Time Magazine had a chance to catch up with former NBA star Grant Hill about his world beyond basketball and his charitable efforts. He recently made a $1 million donation to the athletic facilities at Duke University and to Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to the interview we reviewed Grant’s website related to his philanthropic work. We found that his website does a great job at putting context around him and his work. Here’s what the site says:

“Grant Hill is more than just a professional basketball player. However, it is not only Hill’s on-court play making and talent that impresses people. It’s also his off-court personality that truly makes him transcend beyond the court. Hill’s strong work ethic, humble and gracious attitude, academic achievements, and strong family ties combined with his overwhelming success and good sportsmanship on the court, makes him a perfect choice for a role model. Although many athletes shy away from being labeled as a role model, Hill embraces the idea. Off the court, he tries to lead by setting positive examples.”

Now, here’s what we learned from Grant during our recent interview related to his philanthropic work:

Game Time: You have dedicated so much time and money to philanthropy. What motivates you to give back?

Grant Hill: There are a number of things that have played a role in motivating me to give back. One, having some really good examples growing up. My parents were constantly trying to help others by dedicating their time and resources in a number of different ways. When I was young and impressionable, seeing what my parents were doing had a tremendous impact on me. Two, during my time in college, being around Coach K, understanding the influence of athletes and being part of a high-profile program also allowed me to see the impact of giving back. Many of the things that we did within the Durham community played a role in building on a strong foundation. So, since I was in a position to do a number of things as a kid with my parents and while a student at Duke, my giving back now is just a continuation of my experiences at home with my parents and my time in school.

I think you come to realize as you get to a certain point, graduate from college, reach a certain level of success, you realize that there were a number of people who helped you along the way, some directly and some indirectly. It’s an enjoyable experience to be in a position to be helpful. You don’t have to be an NBA basketball player or be on the Forbes 500 list, we can all help and give back by creating opportunities for others regardless of who we are and what position we hold.

Game Time: You support many different causes, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, your scholarship endowment fund and community development. How do you choose which causes to support?

GH: My wife and I have always understood that education is vital, and that education is lacking in so many communities. Through the years we’ve managed to support education through these causes. Education is one of the consistent themes we’ve supported through scholarships at Duke University and at several high schools.

In terms of other organizations and charities that we support—this depends on where we are, what we’ve seen, and what we’ve been exposed to. In general, we enjoy working with children and by supporting educational initiatives. We are allowed the opportunity to impact all kids, especially kids that may not be as fortunate to have a strong education platform.

Game Time: Do you have a favorite cause or charity to support? If so, what is it and why?

GH: I don’t necessarily have a favorite cause or charity. It would be like having to pick a favorite child; they’re all good. I enjoy programs and causes that are based on education. At a particular time, I may have identified something that I enjoy or that’s on my mind—something I really want to get behind financially, with various resources and with my time. All of the organizations that my wife and I support are having an impact and doing great work. We try not only to support them financially but also, hopefully, we are able to add value through our experiences, insights and our network of contacts. Regarding having a favorite, perhaps we should have one. Getting behind one organization and being 100 percent committed could be very valuable to that organization. However, there are so many great groups that are doing wonderful things that it would be hard for us to narrow it down to one organization.

Game Time: Tell us about the mission of the Grant Hill Foundation?

GH: There really is no specific mission statement or an established organization structure for the GH Foundation. The Foundation is a vehicle for my wife and me to donate money. For initiatives that are near and dear to our hearts—at a particular point in time—we use the Foundation to contribute money and support. If I had to provide a mission statement for the Foundation it would be “to make a difference and have an impact on the lives of young people.”

Many times when people look at philanthropy and at the generosity from people who have given a lot of money, people get intimidated and say, “I don’t have that [money],” or “I don’t have those kind of resources, so I can’t participate in giving,” but that’s not the case. We all can participate, and we all can give. It’s about the spirit of giving that matters most.

Game Time: Since you were a pro athlete and still a very public figure, do you feel that you have more responsibility when it comes to philanthropy?

GH: Yes, regardless of whether you’re a successful pro athlete, or in industry, academia or services—you didn’t get there on your own. There were many people that paved the way for me. It was their hard work and sacrifices that created the opportunities. I think one should “pay it forward” by giving back and helping others.

[For athletes] I think it’s a responsibility. We have a platform, an audience and we have young people who hang on to every word or everything athletes do, and with that, comes a huge responsibility. It’s something all of us should take seriously and understand the importance.

Game Time: You recently donated $1 million to Duke’s athletic facilities. Why did you choose to donate to the athletic facilities?

GH: I believe that people have the perception that a private university, a school like Duke University is has an unlimited amount of financial resources. However, universities, like Duke, survive on the generosity of their alumni. It was through philanthropy that Duke was able to initially become a great regional college and has now become one of the leading international universities. As an alumni, you want to continue to make your alma mater a special place that continues to improve and be the best that it can be.

Game Time: How did dealing with injuries change how you played, and what did this teach you about dealing with injuries and obstacles in life?

GH: I was very fortunate that my four years in college and my first six years in the NBA were fantastic. I was playing at a high level. Fortunately things came early for me in my career. Then I had a rash of injuries and misfortune and uncertainty about whether I would ever play again. I was able to come back, and it was very fulfilling. Obviously, I wasn’t the same player, there were restrictions in terms of my ankle and I was not able to play at the level that I played at during my first six years. However, I was still able to contribute. Going through that dark period, going through the injury and the surgeries—there were many life lessons and learning experiences that I’ve benefitted from, and those experiences have made me a better person.

Game Time: What one piece of advice would you give us, not related to basketball?

GH: The key pieces of advice that I would communicate are: life is not easy and requires hard work, and education and college are very important. College taught me how to think, how to solve problems and most importantly, college taught me how to endure. I believe that college is a microcosm of life, regardless of who you are, what you’ve done or what you’ve accomplished.

Success, on and off the court, requires hard work. It requires being persistent, and it requires believing in yourself. Do not expect anything to be handed to you; you have to work extremely hard to achieve your goals. Hard work is the key, and I certainly try to emphasize this to my own children, and the kids that I’ve had the opportunity to come in contact with.

The post Q+A: Grant Hill appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via Getty

Previously:
Week of July 4 – July 10
Week of June 20 – June 26

The post NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

Per ESPN:

Former NBA All-Star Grant Hill has partnered with billionaire investors and longtime Southern California residents Tony Ressler and Bruce Karsh to form an ownership group to bid on the Los Angeles Clippers when they are officially put up for sale, according to sources close to the process.

 

Sources told ESPN.com that Hill’s group is already regarded by league officials as a viable contender for the Clippers in what is forecast to be a highly competitive auction when the franchise finally hits the open market. One industry source told ESPN.com this week that the bidding could start as high as the $1.5 billion range.

 

It was widely reported Friday that disgraced Clippers owner Donald Sterling has struck an agreement with wife Shelly to have her negotiate the sale of the franchise, but NBA officials have not yet signed off on that arrangement and continue to proceed with their plans to press for the outright ouster of the Sterlings from the league.

 

Hill is just completing his first season in retirement after a 19-year career that featured seven All-Star appearances. Ressler is the co-founder of Ares Management and a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. Karsh is president and co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management and currently serves a minority owner of the Golden State Warriors.

The post Grant Hill Part of Group Planning to Bid for the Clippers appeared first on SLAM.

Earlier this month, the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Women’s National Association of Basketball Coaches teamed with Allstate to choose 201 Division I, II and III men’s and women’s basketball players as nominees for the 2014 Allstate Good Works Team. The team looks to “honor players at all levels of college basketball who represent the sport’s finest in the areas of leadership and charitable achievements amongst their peers.”

One of the many people on the committee who selects these players is former NBA great Grant Hill. We sat down with the former All-Star to talk about the team, his involvement, the NBA and his alma mater, Duke.

SLAM: What is the Good Works Team?

Grant Hill: The Allstate NABC is honoring a group of college players who have stood out for their charitable achievements and community involvement. We live in a world where so many of the bad things, so many of the bad decisions guys make off the court, are publicized, so this is really about putting the spotlight on student-athletes who have done some amazing things enriching the lives of others, in their communities. Over 100 college basketball players were announced as nominees for this team, and it’s exciting as a former student athlete and a panelist who has tried to do the right thing and make a positive impact on the community—it’s really exciting for me to be a part of this initiative and looking forward to who the finalists are. 

SLAM: How exactly are you involved in it? 

GH: I’m involved with the great Tamika Catchings, she’s involved as well on the women’s side. But I’m a panelist, so I’ve gone through and looked at the nominees. We’ve gone through and looked at their stories, we submit who we feel should be finalists, I will be at the Final Four along with Allstate helping to recognize the achievements of those who are honored and who won, so I’m just sort of an ambassador for the program. I’m really excited, really, really excited to be a part of this because this is what I believe needs to be highlighted, needs to be showcased. Obviously not everybody will win, but to be recognized and to be honored I think is an important message to put out.

There’s a responsibility that goes with what we have, to be in a position, to have an effect on people in the community, I think it’s just the right thing. It’s a good thing, and I’m excited. I’m looking forward to seeing who wins and to be able to be there and recognize them at the Final Four will be a great accomplishment and a great honor for me.

SLAM: How do you select the players are honored in this first group of 100+ players?

GH: We went through and, you know, there’s a process and there’s a number of people who are on this sort of panelist selection committee, if you will, and we read their stories. From there, we give our top lists, we submit that to the folks at Allstate, and they narrow it down and will continue to narrow it down throughout the year. I’m a small part in it, but I’m playing a part, and it feels good to be vested in it, but these are amazing stories, and it’s hard to recognize everybody and you want to give everybody an award because everybody’s doing some amazing things. But ultimately, a group of panelists, myself included, are narrowing down to the finalists.

SLAM: This is the first year since 1994 that you’re not an active NBA player. How’s that transition been for you?

GH: It’s been good. It’s been a transition. I’ve enjoyed where I’m at now. I miss some things, some aspects of the game and the league and so on, but I’m excited about what I’m doing now, having the chance to do things like this Allstate deal, some business ventures, some television. I’m enjoying staying still around the game of basketball but also doing some things entirely different and really just tapping into some of the interests I’ve had my entire life that I’ve really had to put on the backburner because of my NBA career.

SLAM: How closely have you followed the League now that you can take a step back and not worry about the everyday grind?

GH: It’s interesting. I think as you get older as a player, you spend so much time staying in shape, working on your body, getting treatment, doing all these things, and of course you play and you have practice, so I found that I did not watch as much basketball the last five years of my career. Now, I can watch and you really have no skin in the game, so you can watch games and it’s really part of my job, responsibility as an analyst and as a broadcaster, so I really have to be aware of not just one team but all the teams. So it’s fun to be able to sort of, you’re not rooting against teams, you’re not worried about jockeying teams for position, you’re just sort of watching and appreciate the basketball and looking at it through a different lens.

Obviously I’m not that far removed, so there are guys that I know that I play with, so you watch them and you follow them, but I find that I’m watching it more on television, one because I need to know what I’m talking about, but two because I’m not around it as much, so for me to watch it as a fan and get that perspective is something that I enjoy and something I need.

SLAM: Who’s the best team in the NBA right now?

GH: I think the Pacers. They got so close last year and they’ve come back like a team on a mission. I was curious to see how they would come back to start the season, and they just look like they’re locked in, they’re focused, they’re playing at a great level. They got a taste of it last year, and they got a bitter taste in their mouth in terms of how things went. At this point in time, I really like them. They’re my team in terms that they’re the No. 1 team thus far, but it’s a long season and we have to wait until the end to see how it all plays out.

SLAM: If you got the call tomorrow that a team wanted to sign you, do you think you could still play?

GH: Not tomorrow, but you give me a good three weeks to get ready and I can go.

SLAM: Let’s talk Duke. The Blue Devils have been great this season—what do you like about this year’s team?

GH: I like the fact that they’re kind of a smaller team, I like their versatility, I love [Jabari] Parker and [Rodney] Hood, they’re great players, but I love Quinn Cook. There’s something about his personality, his demeanor, and his skill, he had a great game against Michigan. I think they’re in the process of discovering and developing their identity. As good as they’ve been—they’ve had some good wins and some tough losses—they’re figuring themselves out. I expect them to his their stride further on.

What I saw [during the team’s 79-69 win against Michigan] that I liked was they won that game just on being tough. They were tougher. They showed some grit, and that was something I hadn’t really seen from them early on, so that was a huge win for them. I like the guys on their team, I like to process of where they are, certainly Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] bringing them together, forming their identity, becoming who they will become, and that will be exciting to watch throughout the course of this year.

SLAM: Of course, whenever anyone talks about Duke this year, they immediately bring up Jabari Parker. What are your thoughts on him, and do you think he the No. 1 pick in the Draft whenever he decides to declare?

GH: You never know. I certainly think that he’s in the conversation. You have to put him up there as one of the top players. You never now how things are gonna play out, but he’s a great talent, just his skill set, his basketball IQ, his understanding of the game, his feel, he’s special. He’s a joy to watch. Who knows, he may stay another year. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, there’s a lot of time between now and the NBA Draft, I hope he’s No. 1 if he decides to leave, I also hope he stays. But I think he’s in a great position, he’s got a great coach, great environment to play, and I look forward to following him throughout the course of the following season.

SLAM: It’s a little far ahead, but is Duke winning a title this season?

GH: Yeah, I think so. I think they have the ability, they have the talent, they have the coaching staff. I think that’s the goal for them every year, and Duke has won championships with teams that were really talented and with teams that on paper weren’t that talented. It’s so hard to win a college championship, that’s why the No. 1 team seeded doesn’t always get there. To win six games in that kind of environment, there’s an appreciation for that, and that’s why it’s hard to do. With all the great coaches we have, it’s hard to win consecutive championships, to win multiple ones. I like Duke, I like the team, I like the fact that they’ll get better, that they’ll become who they will become down the road, and I think the team that you’ll see in March will be better than the team they are now.

SLAM: Duke has the No. 1 recruiting class in America for 2014 behind Jahlil Okafor and Tyus Jones. Have you gotten the chance to check either of them out?

GH: I saw Jones play last year in a tournament here in Orlando over the summer. I’ve seen Okafor play on YouTube. It’s great, one of the things that I respect about Coach K is that through the years he’s still able to connect, he’s still able to inspire, he’s still able to teach, motivate, all that. It’s hard, every generation is different, and these guys still wanna play for him, so I’m excited as a Dukie, I look forward to following them the rest of their high school careers and for the duration of their careers at Duke.

The post Q+A: Grant Hill appeared first on SLAM.

The show beloved by all NBA fans in the 1990s, which last aired in 2005, is returning to the airwaves next month. NBATV will broadcast “Inside Stuff”, with co-hosts Grant Hill and Kristen Ledlow. Per the press release: “NBA Inside Stuff, the ground-breaking sports and entertainment all-access show, is coming to NBA TV with brand-new episodes featuring co-hosts Grant Hill and Kristen Ledlow set to debut Saturday, Nov. 2, at Noon ET. The series, which last aired in 2005, will combine some of the franchise’s most celebrated segments — redefined versions of ‘Jam Session’ and ‘Rewind’ — with in-depth interviews highlighting some of the NBA’s biggest stars and more, all packaged with a fresh new look. The 30-minute show will be televised weekly throughout the NBA season (26 episodes), along with several special editions airing at select times during the year.”

The post NBA Inside Stuff is Back With Grant Hill (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Now that he’s retired from the NBA, Grant Hill is looking for something else to occupy his time. Television may be Hill’s next career move (along with a number of other business endeavours.) Per IMG Academy (via PBT): “On what he’s up to now… ‘I’m excited that it’s over. It was a long journey in terms of my career. But I’m very excited about the next phase and some broadcasting things I’m looking at some things that we’re working on right now with some of the major networks, so that is something that can keep you in and around the game and around sports. I have a family office in Orlando, and we do a number of things – multi-family apartments, commercial real estate and we’ve been doing that for a while. Then I’m a partner in a fund; we have a mezzanine fund that invests in small businesses and raised a good amount of money. So there’s some things in the business world, some things in sports. I look forward to being more active in the political process, fundraisers and things like that. There’s a lot of things that I want to do, but I think right now, I just want to decompress a little bit and balance business with family and be a more involved parent – not that I wasn’t before – but certainly as you guys at IMG Academy here knows, sports consumes you. So being a supportive husband and father is what I’m up to now.'”

The post Grant Hill Could Be Working on TV Next Season appeared first on SLAM.

Originally published in SLAM 27

Once upon a time—well, twice really, but it’s only the one time that’s important here—we put Grant Hill on the cover. It was the middle of last season, and the man was putting up almost-triple-doubles damn near every night. And the Pistons were rolling. We looked at the numbers, looked at what he was doing to the League and came up with the line for the cover—Just Like Mike. Only Better. It was scary, but man, it was true.

The day we locked it down, Grant fell off. The Pistons took a dive. And MJ started gettin’ busy. Runnin’ off 40-point games like he was 25 again. By the time that issue hit the stands, the line hardly made any sense. And we heard about it. In fact, a year later, we’re still gettin’ letters about that damn cover.

Then it happens. March 16th. The Pistons are playing the Atlantic Division-leading Heat in Miami—where they haven’t won in nine tries. Still, late in the fourth, the Pistons lead, 86-79. With five minutes left, Alonzo Mourning sets a hard screen on Grant. Grabs him, actually. This is when Mourning takes people out of their game. Instead, Hill grabs hold takes Zo out, period. They scramble to their feet, and what’s this? Hill is all up in Zo’s grill, spittin’ game right back at Mr. Intimidator. Grant Hill? Mad? Refs separate, call a foul on Hill. Heat ball.

Right away, Zo throws a bad pass. The Pistons break. Hill gets it at the top of the key, breaks Dan Majerle off at the ankles and heads for the rim. Zo steps up. Hill rises, sticks his left forearm into Zo’s chest and bangs it on him. And one. Then he starts talkin’. Again. Game, Detroit.

“We knew coming in here, if we wanted to win, we had to fight them,” Hill told the Miami Herald afterwards. “They are a team that intimidated us in the past, and we didn’t back down this time.”

Just like Mike. Only better? No way. At least, not yet.

—Russ Bengtson

The post Slamadamonth, SLAM #27: Grant Hill appeared first on SLAM.

Originally published in SLAM 16

Word on the streets was that Grant Hill was soft. Mild-mannered like Clark Kent, proper like Martha Stewart. Too mellow to really get ill, take the game over. He was fully Krzyzewski-ized, just too well behaved, too polite to take the ball to the rack hard, represent Detroit like Detroit is supposed to be represented. Bad Boy? Please. His parents would never stand for it.

That was last year.

Just ask Mark Davis. The second-year pro was asked to guard Mr. Hill when the Pistons rolled into Philly’s brand new CoreStates Center on November 5. It was a bad night for Davis. Bad enough that he got lit up for 22 points, 14 boards and 9 assists. Bad enough that he had to try and check one of the best young players in the league. But it got worse. Hill got mad.

Late in the fourth, with the game tight, it was time for the Pistons to make a statement, to show whose house it was really was. Seein’ that Allan Houston was busy dealin’ with the Lake Show in NY and Bill Laimbeer isn’t a basketball player anymore—he just plays one on TV—it was all up to Hill. No problem.

Davis, who’d been thoroughly posterized by Hill with a vicious one-handed jam just minutes before, was checkin’ him down on the baseline. Jerry Stackhouse came off of his man to double-team as the ball came in. Hill spun out and back towards the lane. Davis made the mistake of tryin’ to hang; Stack stepped. He played in the ACC—he knew what was comin’ next, and he didn’t want any.

Two dribbles, drop step, boom. Hill went up just inside the paint and dropped the bomb on Davis with both hands, just to make sure. He hung on for a moment too, just to make sure everyone recognized what was really going on. This wasn’t just a dunk—it was a rebirth. The game came down to the last shot, but for real? That was it.

Grant Hill, too soft? Right. Just ask Mark Davis…

—Russ Bengtson

The post Slamadamonth, SLAM #16: Grant Hill appeared first on SLAM.

by Nima Zarrabi / @NZbeFree

Grant Hill was quite the star in the ’90s. By ’94, he’d already secured two NCAA titles. Later that same year, after going third overall to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Draft, Hill scorched the hardwood from the moment of his debut. That moment marked the start of six remarkable seasons to close out the century for Hill, during which he averaged 21.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 6.4 apg while shooting 48 percent from the field. The Aughts were, sadly, not as successful. After signing a massive free-agent deal with Orlando in the summer ’00, he suffered a gruesome ankle break that changed the course of his career. He eventually returned to the lineup in Orlando and went on to become a major contributor as a member of the Suns for five seasons before joining the Clippers this past year. Recently, after 18 seasons in the L, Hill decided to retire at the age of 40. He spoke with SLAM a few days after the announcement.

SLAM: It’s been a few days since you retired. Has it sunk in?

Grant Hill: Yes, I feel great. I look forward to the next phase and chapter of my life.

SLAM: When you came into the League in ’94, the NBA was experiencing incredible growth. A few Collective Bargaining Agreements have expired since then and you’re leaving at a time when the game continues to flourish globally. Were there any changes within the game in that period that stand out to you?

GH: A couple things stand out: I kind of caught the tail end of a generation. The players who played in the ’80s and into the early ’90s, I caught the tail end of that. I also played with my generation—I was hurt for most of my generation—but I got to play with contemporaries of mine and then with the next generation of players, today’s stars. You look over the course of 20 years and I think the mindset of players is different. A lot of these guys have come of age during the technology era—SportsCenter, cable, there is more coverage of sports and the NBA in particular. Good, bad or indifferent, I think that has affected today’s modern athlete in the NBA. I also think the game has changed. Think back on the ’90s and how the game was played. Now I think the League is heavily influenced by what Mike D’Antoni did in Phoenix and what Rick Adelman did in Sacramento. A lot of teams have adopted that style of play. It’s free-flowing, it’s perimeter-oriented, less emphasis on going inside to the bigs. It’s interesting to see that. The League will continue to have great players come through and make an imprint through their careers. There is probably some 9-year-old practicing right now that will be the next great player that everyone admires and looks up to and so on. And that’s the beauty of the game: Nobody is bigger than it. The game continues, no matter what.

SLAM: Are you proud of the fact that you were able to play so many years after such a serious injury?

GH: Yes. It was a tough time for me, fighting the injury with my ankle, going through that whole ordeal. I was told by multiple doctors and experts that I would be unable to get through a full season with my ankle. But looking back, the ankle hasn’t been a problem at all. Now, I’ve had other problems and some of those may be related to the ankle, but I’m very proud of these last 10 years and what I’ve had to do to continue my career, having to re-invent myself to a degree. It took a lot of resolve to get to this point where I’m able to retire at 40.

SLAM: The timing is perfect, since Mitchell & Ness is re-releasing your old Pistons jersey this year.

GH: I’m excited. I guess my Detroit jersey does qualify as a throwback now.

SLAM: Do you have any of your old Pistons jerseys tucked away?

GH: I have an air-conditioned storage unit back in Florida with jerseys, practice gear, my old Fila shoes from Detroit. I’ve got practice jerseys from every year, even Orlando and Phoenix. Magazines, All-Star rings—a lot of memorabilia and keepsakes. I mean, I still have the crutches that I had for my ankle when I was in Orlando, I have the boot that I wore when it was healing—I’m a borderline pack rat! So it’s not all just good stuff, there’s bad stuff, too. There is a story behind each thing there and it’s all a part of the journey. I have not gone through it, but there is a lot in there. It will be cool to go through it and figure out what I’m going to do with all that stuff.

The post Hill Country appeared first on SLAM.

[sg-gallery]

by Scoop Jackson / photos via Getty Images

On July 1, I met Grant Hill. On August 13, my son was born. Both days are significant, and it is between these two dates where the first part of this story rests.

Every child is born with a sense of destiny, a sense of purpose. Every father wants his son to do things that he himself was unable to do: better society, enhance culture, make a difference. Some days, a child’s life is lived vicariously through the deferred dreams of chosen individuals whose life’s work changed the world. It is on these days that the child hears the names Gandhi, Martin Luther King, John Fitzgerald Kennedy…Tiger Woods.

I’ve always wanted my son to be a basketball player. There’s something about the game that transcends life itself. Basketball, I was once told, is an analogy for life. And while history’s great men have their omnipresent place in my household, Chris Webber’s name is mentioned more often than the Pope’s or Nelson Mandela’s. It’s not disrespectful; that’s just the way it is when—on a daily basis—you witness more people putting balls through iron rims than changing the course of humanity.

I never looked at Grant Hill as anything other than a special ballplayer who had the ability to change the game. I never held him in high reverence, I never thought he’d save mankind. I couldn’t put such demands on a brotha who was nine years younger than me. Here was a gifted man trying to continue the legacy that Julius Erving started and Michael Jordan is holding down. Here, in my mind, is simply a young man who is fighting to find his place in the world of professional sports and separate himself from Penny Hardaway at the same time. Here is Grant Hill—not Gandhi, not Dr. King, not JFK—putting basketballs through iron rims for a living.

Two days after my son was born, someone asked my wife the question, “Is there a person alive that you would like to pattern your son’s life after?” She answered without hesitation, “Grant Hill.”

Part 1

At the Dream Team III practice on July 1, Grant Hill works out. Nobody knows this, but he is using this time—playing in the Olympics—to make himself a better basketball player. As far as he’s concerned, this summer will be the most important off-season in his life. Not because he has a chance to win a gold medal, but because every day for two months he gets to test his game against the best defensive forward the game may ever see, Scottie Pippen. He also gets to study Pip’s total game. It is an ingenious strategy Grant uses to get his game to that next level, to get where Mike and Scottie already call home.

“To become the best, you must learn from those that are the best,” he would quietly say to me. Keep your predecessors close and regard everything as vital.

In the evolution of becoming the best basketball player alive, Grant Hill knew he had to change. All his life he has been the one. The chosen one. The one whom mothers want their sons to resemble. The one who gets the most votes for the All-Star game but never the MVP. And after 23 years of being “the one” but not the best, Grant Hill decided to change. Frederick Douglas once said that power surrenders nothing without demand. It’s my guess that Grant heard that just before his summer began.

July 3, ‘96

SLAM: So I heard you are going to save sports [laughs].

Grant Hill: That’s crazy!

SLAM: But GQ said…

GH: I was 22 years old when that story came out—“Can Grant Hill Save Sports?” Man, I’m just trying to help save the Pistons [laughs]. Maybe someday I can be that ambassador that everybody wants, but I wasn’t ready for that then, and I’m not ready for it now.

SLAM: So you had a problem with that?

GH: I had a problem with that and I didn’t like the article.

SLAM: Racist? The whole “hoodlum” thing?

GH: I thought the entire article was racist. I take [Tom Junod] to a party, and him calling everybody there hoodlums, I thought was wrong. But then because I was there having fun, I felt that he was calling me a hoodlum. He even made the reference, “Grant Hill’s here, he’s king of the hoodlums.” And it wasn’t even like that. He even said, “there were guys in long mink coats and those big mink hats, and you just knew they had guns in their pockets.” What’s that all about? First of all, I had fun there, and I still go to parties [with black people]. I really thought the story was disrespectful towards black folks.

SLAM: It also said that you “act white” and “play black.” So should I call you, like, Newt Jordan?

GH: [Laughing] Man, you have no idea. So much has been made of me just being some type of perfect person, and anyone that knows me knows that I’m not perfect. I’m real just like everybody else. I’m no different than the next man.

I don’t know. It’s like, now I’ve gotten to the point where I’m curious as to how people really perceive me. Like when they think of Grant Hill, what do they really think of? You know? I mean, it’s flattering that people like you and appreciate you, but more than likely what they think of is not necessarily what I am. I’m not saying what I am is bad, I just think what I am is real. [Long pause] I don’t know man, it’s crazy.

SLAM: Are you trying to change?

GH: Yeah, but I don’t want you to think that I’m going to all of a sudden be like [Dennis] Rodman; I’m just trying to be more comfortable being me, you know. I’m only 23 years old now, so I’m still trying to figure life out.

They say nice guys usually finish last. Not saying that I’m not trying to be nice, but I’m going to do what I have to do to, most importantly, win. When I was in college, I was cool with everybody, but my senior year it was my team, leadership-wise. I’m pretty sure, during that time, I said things people didn’t always like, but they respected it. I think I’m trying to establish that respect right now. It’s at the point where, who cares if people don’t like me? If you want to win—if you want to be a leader—you are going to say things that people are not going to want to hear. I just think it’s a part of growing up.

On the court, it’s like, forget about, this is Doug Collins’ way of doing things, or because Joe Dumars is a veteran I should always defer to him and not really be myself. I respect them both as men, but hey, this is my time and I have to assert myself accordingly. On the court, in the locker room, with my teammates. Not to disrespect anybody, but in the past I always deferred to others, held back, bit my tongue—I’m not going to do that any more. I don’t want to look back and be like, “Well, if I had dome this, or if I had done that, things would’ve been different.” No, I want to look back and say that I gave it all that I could. I was right in some cases, I was wrong in some cases, but I’ve got to live.

SLAM: Still, you have the whole image thing that people expect you to live. You know [mimicking the commercial] “Wow, Grant Hill drinks Sprite,” right?

GH: Yeah, I know what you mean. It even got into my personal life. I know I’m drifting off, but getting caught up in this image thing…I had a girlfriend for two years, and she was really a good person. Intelligent. Med school, right background, family; you know, she fit the mode of a girl that I thought I was supposed to be with. I’m with her because I’m thinking to myself, “This is the type of girl I’m supposed to be with.” It’s deep. It even got down to the clothes that I wore. It got to the point where I would tell myself that I had to dress a certain way because I was supposed to project this image. It was like, “Okay, my image is this.” Here I am, 23 years old, I’m a good guy—but if I want to wear long shorts, I should be able to wear long shorts.

My father is still very protective and still thinks I should do things the way he wants me to do them. I’m at a point now where I’m like, “Look Dad, I’m gonna do what I want to do. I’m going to listen to your advice, I’m going to think about everything you tell me, but ultimately, now, I’m going to make my own decisions.” Then again, I guess this is just my way of rebelling.

SLAM: When do you think you will get to that at-one-ment in basketball? I mean, I know your internal image change has a lot to do with the way you are going to approach the game from now on. You’ve already been called, “the Savior”, “the next Michael Jordan”; players in the League that are “at one” with their games, it’s them [laughs]. I just want to know, where do you think you stand?

GH: I really don’t know, but I do know that I want to get to the point where at both ends of the court I put fear in somebody’s heart. Like Scottie—I’m just trying to play with him for the next four to five weeks [on DTIII]; I can’t help but get better. I’m using this as an experience. As much fun as it’s going to be, I’m working. No telling when I’m going to get another chance like this.

Michael and Scottie are on top of a mountain, and all of us are trying to catch them. What they are doing on the court, I’m trying to do myself. They know how to win. I’m not there yet, but I want to be, I will be. Individually, I think I got better from last year to this year, but there’s still room for improvement. As a player, I want to get to that point where Scottie is, where you get out there and you are just, just a bitch out there—the man. You know, where people don’t even want to play against you.

SLAM: So is this all a part of the evolution of Grant Hill?

GH: It’s more mental than anything. Last year, in April, mentally I wasn’t where I should have been—and even in my career I haven’t been there [mentally] yet. From December to March, I think I did really well, but in April, I was bad. I was terrible, at my worst. I look back at last year, but there’s a lot more I could do. I really haven’t been pleased with my performance up until now.

This summer’s going to be the difference. I feel that I have a lot more to show, I feel like I’ve got something to prove. Not just to everybody, but to my teammates and to myself.

The way I look at my life right now is that this is my window of opportunity. I can’t put limits on me. I’ve always been like, “I want to be like Scottie, I want to be like Michael”—you know what I mean? Those guys are great players, but I think saying you want to be like somebody or better yet, saying you’ll never get to that level, is putting a limit on you.

I’m striving to be the best; that’s my whole thing. And I’m not going to be able to take that step to the next level unless internally, within myself, I change a few things. I just feel like I have a lot to prove, and I just, well, [deep breath] I’m ready to take that step to another level and hopefully my game is ready too.

The post Evolution of the Man appeared first on SLAM.

Grant Hill announced his retirement Saturday night, after which many players around the NBA took to Twitter to show their respect for the future Hall of Famer. Roll through the gallery above to see what they had to say.

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Back in April, Grant Hill said this was likely his final season in the NBA. Tonight, the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer (with career averages of 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game) announced that this was indeed the end after 19 seasons. The seven-time All-Star broke the news on TNT, prior to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals between Miami and Indiana. Per USA Today: “The last four or five years I would take about a month (after the season to decide to continue) and within a month, if I still wanted to do it, I would. Putting it simply, after a month, I just realized I didn’t want to play anymore,’ Hill said. ‘There’s a lot of reasons for that, but you know when you know. It just felt right. I’m excited and looking forward to moving on and doing other things. I worked hard. I put a lot into it, and I enjoyed every minute of it. But now is the time to move on. I feel great physically. It’s important to go out feeling good, particularly considering all the setbacks I had health-wise throughout my career.’ […] ‘I’m just glad I was able to keep working,’ Hill said of his injuries. ‘When doctors told me I was done, I was able to get another 10 years. I’m very grateful for that.'”

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40-year old Grant Hill’s remarkable NBA journey will likely come to an end this summer — Hill says he’s leaning towards retirement. Per the AZ Republic: “Grant Hill has 27 appearances, a 3.2 scoring average, career-low 38 percent shooting and no regrets about joining the Los Angeles Clippers. Hill expected to return to Phoenix for a sixth Suns season when he stayed in the Valley to train last summer. The Suns made a one-year, minimum-salary offer of $1.35 million and the Clippers came with a two-year, $4 million one while Oklahoma City and Chicago also pursued him. Hill, 40, joined the Clippers, began the season on the inactive list after suffering a bone bruise to his right knee, the one which underwent two arthroscopies since 2011 in Phoenix, and did not play until Jan. 12. Hill likely will not make it to that second contract year and opt to retire this summer. ‘Strong chance,’ Hill said. ‘I’m leaning toward it. I want to get to the end of the year and off-season and think about it but I’m pretty confident that’s where my mind is right now. I’ve enjoyed it.’ Except for a brief 2008 experiment under then-Suns coach Terry Porter, Hill always had started in his career until this season, when he often is not in the 10-man rotation.”

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Greg Stiemsma and Matt Barnes got into it last night. Following Matt Barnes’ ejection, Stiemsma went after Grant Hill and threw him down to the floor.

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Grant Hill … remember him? Sure you do. He’s close to re-joining the LA Clippers; very close says the veteran forward. Per the OC Register: “Do-it-all veteran Grant Hill smiled and said he’s got a January return in mind. ‘I just want to get out there and help and play,’ Hill said. ‘Hopefully, I’ll improve things if that’s possible.’ Hill hasn’t played since the Clippers final game in China during the preseason because of a bone bruise in his right knee. ‘I’m very close, so I’m excited about that,’ Hill said. When he returns, Hill will not likely cut into minutes for Matt Barnes. [Head coach Vinny Del Negro] said he envisions the two players on the court together. ‘We got a little taste of it, even though it was early, in China. That second game out there, we were switching everything,’ Barnes said. ‘Lamar (Odom) played center, Grant played the four and I played the three. We switched every single pick. I think that causes havoc. There are no open looks when a team is capable of defending like that, and I think we are.’ Judging by that game, back-up forward Ronny Turiaf could see his minutes cut once Hill comes back. Chauncey Billups is also still out with peroneal tendonitis in his left foot. There’s no timetable for his return.”

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Steve Nash’s friend and former teammate in Phoenix, Grant Hill, is among those who still can’t quite believe that Nash is going to be wearing Laker purple and gold. Hill compares the surprising switcheroo to a Duke player electing to join the hated North Carolina Tar Heels. Per the AZ Republic, via KGME-AM (910): “Hill on he and Nash winding up in Los Angeles: ‘I don’t think anybody thought that either one of us would be out here in L.A.’ […] Hill on if his exit from Phoenix is bittersweet: ‘It was tough because not only did we get to the Western Conference finals but I think if you talk to anybody who was on that team, that was really just a special team, a special group of guys, a kind of bond that we had. We had talent obviously but there was a real sense of connection and togetherness on the court. And then quickly it changed.’ Hill on playing at 38 and 39 for non-playoff teams: ‘Obviously these last two years were very difficult. Because at this point, with any point, particularly at this point I know in my career, you want to be able to feel like you have a chance. We went out and competed and gave our all and had some good, hard fights and had some wins maybe the last two years that we weren’t supposed to have. But I think if you’re being objective, if we did our best, we would’ve been an eighth seed. So that’s tough. That’s a bitter pill to swallow, particularly after coming off the high we had back two years ago. It would’ve been nice to keep that core together. I understand why that didn’t happen.’ […] Hill on Nash going to the Lakers: ‘That’s like transferring from Duke and going to Carolina.'”

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Kobe Bryant has inspired yet another NBAer to take a flight to Germany for an experimental knee procedure – Grant Hill is the latest. Per the Dan Patrick Show: “Grant Hill [talked about] why he joined the Los Angeles Clippers and more. ‘I just felt like wow, this is an exciting time,’ Hill said, noting all the talent in Los Angeles. ‘They took a big step last year.’ Hill talked about going to Germany to get blood-spinning therapy, like Kobe Bryant. He said he was feeling good before he went to get it done, so he’s not sure what impact it had, although he thinks it’s been positive.”

The post Grant Hill Also Went to Germany for His Knees appeared first on SLAM.

After some flirtation with the Lakers (among others), free agent forward Grant Hill will sign a deal with LA’s other team, the Clippers. Reports Yahoo! Sports: “Free agent Grant Hill has reached agreement on a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources say … Clippers are still finalizing terms of the deal, but Grant Hill has committed to signing with them.”

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Contrary to some earlier reports, Grant Hill isn’t prepared to retire from the League; instead, Hill is looking to join a title contender this summer. Per NBA.com: “Free agent forward Grant Hill is still considering at least two other teams–the two teams in last month’s Finals, Miami and Oklahoma City–as well as the Lakers as he decides where he’s going to play next season, according to a source with knowledge of the 39-year-old forward’s thinking. Reports Tuesday indicated that Hill has decided either to play for the Lakers or retire. But the source strongly indicated that Hill has not limited himself to Los Angeles as he makes up his mind. The Lakers emerged as a strong favorite for Hill after they agreed to terms with the Suns last week on a sign-and-trade deal that will send Steve Nash to the Lakers after the end of the July Moratorium on the 11th for four Draft picks and $3 million. But Hill is looking at the Heat and Thunder as well.”

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Steve Nash, the Lakers’ newest point guard, will reportedly push for Grant Hill to follow him to Los Angeles. From ESPN: “Sources said that Nash will try to convince longtime teammate Grant Hill, one of his closest friends in the game, to join him with the Lakers. [The Lakers are] one of four teams (along with Toronto, New York and Phoenix) in the running for Hill after the 39-year-old’s recent trip to Germany to undergo the same platelet-enrichment treatment on his knee that Bryant credited for his rejuvenated knee last season. Lakers guard Steve Blake, who will back up Nash at the point, was excited about the acquisition. ‘I think it’s great! I look forward to playing with him.'”

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Grant Hill had minor right knee surgery on Friday, and he’s convinced that his season isn’t over just yet. Reports the AZ Republic: “If it seems hard to believe that Grant Hill could return from Friday’s knee surgery before the season ends, consider this detail: his right knee has been less swollen following team physician Thomas Carter’s surgery than it had before the non-optional scope. Hill’s expectation to return for some of Suns’ remaining 14 games was clear Sunday, when he returned to US Airways Center for the first time since having the medial meniscus tear repaired. He was cleared to get off crutches Sunday night. ‘I think I can,” Hill said. ‘Doc is pleased with the surgery and what he saw in there. I’ll be back this year.’ Hill will travel with the Suns in order to rehabilitate the knee with Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson and the staff.”

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Grant Hill’s no stranger to injuries—and specifically knee problems—but his latest physical setback comes at a particularly painful time, as the Suns are fighting hard to stay in the Western Conference Playoff race. Hill reportedly will undergo surgery on his right knee to repair a meniscus tear, and will miss at least most of Phoenix’s remaining regular season games, if not the rest of the year. More, from the Arizona Republic: “Suns small forward Grant Hill will undergo minor right knee surgery Friday morning and miss at least most of the season’s remaining games.  A magnetic resonance imaging test on Hill’s right knee revealed Thursday that he has a meniscus tear to the right knee, which underwent an arthroscopy in September to remove a loose piece of cartilage. Hill likely will be out until at least mid-April, if not the season, but more will be known after the surgery. Hill, the league’s second oldest player by a day at age 39, said Wednesday that his right knee first began bothering him two weeks ago when he took a hit to the inside of the joint, where the tear is located. On Sunday, Hill said it worsened when he took a charge against Cleveland and eventually left the game. He was hopeful to return but his lateral movement remained limited before Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games and he was held out each time.”

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The surgery on Grant Hill’s right knee today is considered minor, but it could signal the end of his season. Reports the AZ Republic: “A magnetic resonance imaging test on Hill’s right knee revealed Thursday that he has a meniscus tear to the right knee, which underwent an arthroscopy in September to remove a loose piece of cartilage. Hill likely will be out until at least mid-April, if not the season, but more will be known after the surgery. Hill, the league’s second oldest player by a day at age 39, said Wednesday that his right knee first began bothering him two weeks ago when he took a hit to the inside of the joint, where the tear is located. On Sunday, Hill said it worsened when he took a charge against Cleveland and eventually left the game. He was hopeful to return but his lateral movement remained limited before Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games and he was held out each time. Hill, the Suns’ starting small forward and defensive leader, has missed five games this season but two were only for rest in the middle of back-to-back-to-back sets. He had only missed three games in his previous three Suns seasons combined.”

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After flirtations with the Knicks and a few other teams, Grant Hill ultimately decided to stay put in Phoenix. Per the Arizona Republic: “Hill agreed today to re-sign with the Suns for a one-year, $6.5 million contract. The Suns increased the offer from $5 million to $6.5 million on Thursday with Hill being pursued by New York, Chicago, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs offered him two years and the Clippers offered him more money but the Knicks’ and Bulls’ one-year offers were tempting because of the quality of teams and Hill’s relationship with Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. The Suns considered Hill their top free agency priority and showed it in spending on Hill, who is the second oldest player in the league at 39 (by a day to Kurt Thomas). Hill has been a bargain for the Suns, making $10.1 million over the past four years as a productive starter and one of the top defenders in the league. Hill’s return was essential to the Suns’ pursuit of defensive improvement and the happiness of close friend Steve Nash in the last year of his contract. The Suns also want Hill’s leadership influence on the rest of the team and it is believed he could have a long-term role with the organization beyond his retirement as a player.”

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39-year old Grant Hill is a coveted free agent, and should he leave Phoenix, that would make Steve Nash a very sad panda. From the Arizona Republic: “Unlike most people, Nash believes the Suns are a playoff team after missing the postseason last season at 40-42. Their roster and rotation likely will look largely the same as the front office keeps salary space in tact to pursue at least one maximum-level free agent in July. ‘I definitely would love to see us improve our roster but I think it’s up to us to find that little bit of magic and collectively and individually to give ourselves a chance to win enough games to get in the playoffs,’ Nash said. ‘I would never say we’re not a playoff team. That should be the minimum of our goals and let’s see how good we can get.’ Nash made it clear that he does not want to try to get the team back to the playoffs without Hill, a four-year member of the Suns who is an unrestricted free agent but a priority for Suns brass to sign on Dec. 9. ‘I’m very hopeful Grant will be back,’ Nash said. ‘It’s very, very important to me that he is back personally. I think he is very important to the team and community. ‘I think that, all things being even, Grant would want to come back here. I’m sure he’s going to be highly coveted by a lot of teams. Phoenix will have to really make him a great offer and put him in a position where he can’t say no to coming back.'”

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The Phoenix Suns claim that Grant Hill is their top free agent priority, but according to Newsday, they’ll have to fight off the Knicks’ advances: “On the first day the NBA permitted team executives to contact agents about players, the Knicks prepared to reach out to several free agents, including one who turned them down two years ago. Although Caron Butler and Shawne Williams were discussed Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the situation said the Knicks are also interested in Grant Hill. Hill strongly considered an offer by the Knicks in 2009 but decided to stay with the Suns. The Lakers reportedly also have Hill on the radar. Though 39, Hill showed no signs of slowing down last season as a reliable role player and defensive specialist with the Suns. He made $3.2 million and started 80 games, averaging 13.2 points and 30.1 minutes. Although the free-agent moratorium ended Wednesday, agreements of any kind are prohibited until Dec. 9, when training camps are to open. Suns president Lon Babby told The Arizona Republic that re-signing Hill ‘is an absolute first order of business and top priority.’ But Phoenix is on the decline and Hill’s closest friend on the team, Steve Nash, is in the final year of his contract and may be traded. If the Knicks’ plans for Chris Paul don’t come to fruition, Nash could wind up in New York as a free agent next summer to reunite with Hill, Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni.”

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The veteran Grant Hill wants his career to be topped off with a ring the way Jason Kidd was able to recently do. From the Boston Globe: “Many remember Hill as an athletic swingman with a flat-top haircut catching alley-oops from Bobby Hurley and winning national titles for Duke. But 17 years after he was the third overall pick in the draft by the Pistons, Hill remains without an NBA title, with a twice-reconstructed ankle but the desire to continue. He watched Jason Kidd, a fellow rookie of the year, win his first title last month, and is willing to keep striving for an opportunity to play in the Finals. Hill’s career has gone from one of promise, to misfortune, to longevity, and he is willing to wait out a potentially long lockout. ‘You definitely want to win, especially when you see somebody you are kind of linked to and somebody you have known for many years get there,’ Hill said last week. ‘I don’t have too many more years left, so we have to wait and see. But it would be nice to do what [Kidd] was able to do this past season.’ Because of several ankle surgeries, Hill stands just 21st among active players in games played with 948. In fact, Kidd has played 319 more regular-season games than Hill, or the equivalent of four seasons. The Celtics’ Paul Pierce, who entered the NBA four years after Hill and lost 32 games of his rookie season to a lockout, has played in 16 more regular-season games than Hill. So, it’s not surprising that Hill, a pending free agent, feels he has something left, and he’s flourished the last four seasons with the Suns, playing 313 of a possible 328 games, and averaging 13.2 points last season, his best in four years. He could be attractive to a team pushing for a title, a versatile, intelligent, and still skilled player who knows how to win.”

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by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

This isn’t Grant Hill’s first labor rodeo, and even though he’s kept his distance from the boardroom battles, the veteran forward says the painful process of hammering out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement isn’t necessarily an entirely negative experience.

According to Hill, just like in 1998-’99, there are important lessons here to learn for the players in their latest fight against NBA team owners. Lockout or no lockout.

From Yahoo! Sports:

After the [’98-’99 season] was shortened from 82 to 50 games, Hill lost a big chunk of the $6.6 million he was scheduled to make that season. With the NBA now on the verge of entering another lockout – the current collective bargaining agreement expires Thursday – Hill has no regrets about the players’ last extended labor battle.

“It’s always worth it. I think you learn a lot,” Hill said. “…I think it’s worth it. I think the game recovered. The game is in great shape now … I think both sides are very smart and understand sort of what’s at stake,” Hill said. “But I’m confident they will figure out what’s best for the game.”

“You hear a lockout and you don’t know what that means,” Hill said. “I think we are all sort of conditioned right when Labor Day and October and November roll around, you start playing. And all of the sudden you’re not. You want to stay in shape. You want to stay mentally and physically ready. You want to be wise with purchases and you want to make sure financially you can weather the storm. The young guys have been really good in terms of asking [questions].”

These labor disputes between billionaire team owners and millionaire players will always exist.

What remains to be seen is if Grant Hill is right, if any of the sides learned from the painful and damaging lessons of the past.

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by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Last Sunday, ESPN aired a tremendous documentary about Michigan‘s famed Fab Five team. One of the most compelling — and hilarious — parts of the doc was when Jalen Rose and his teammates told the world what their teenage selves used to think of Grant Hill and the Duke Blue Devils.

Rose admitted that he was jealous of Hill‘s upbringing and solid family life (a complete 180 degrees from Jalen’s own childhood), and Jimmy King summarized what his team thought of those Duke teams: “I thought Christian Laettner was soft; a bitch. And I thought Grant Hill was a bitch.”

Grant Hill caught the documentary, and promised to fire back.

And today, he did just that, in the NY Times (with further thoughts to be posted on his own website later):

It was a sad and somewhat pathetic turn of events, therefore, to see friends narrating this interesting documentary about their moment in time and calling me a bitch and worse, calling all black players at Duke “Uncle Toms” and, to some degree, disparaging my parents for their education, work ethic and commitment to each other and to me. I should have guessed there was something regrettable in the documentary when I received a Twitter apology from Jalen before its premiere. I am aware Jalen has gone to some length to explain his remarks about my family in numerous interviews, so I believe he has some admiration for them.

In his garbled but sweeping comment that Duke recruits only “black players that were ‘Uncle Toms,’ ” Jalen seems to change the usual meaning of those very vitriolic words into his own meaning, i.e., blacks from two-parent, middle-class families. He leaves us all guessing exactly what he believes today.

I caution my fabulous five friends to avoid stereotyping me and others they do not know in much the same way so many people stereotyped them back then for their appearance and swagger. I wish for you the restoration of the bond that made you friends, brothers and icons. I am proud of my family. I am proud of my Duke championships and all my Duke teammates. And, I am proud I never lost a game against the Fab Five.

Game.Set.Match. That ending was killer.

I think Hill might’ve missed the point that Rose and his teammates were trying to convey: mainly, that this is what they thought of Duke and its players back then, as very young men. Nevertheless, it’s a very strong response from Grant Hill.

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–Schneezy

For more old school videos, check out SLAMtv in the Media section

Got an old school video you want to see in FOTS? Send the video link to slamteam@harris-pub.com

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by Michael Bradley

If you have to attack something big, it helps to break it down into smaller challenges. Many of them. Of course, to those of us crammed into Philadelphia’s Spectrum that fateful late afternoon in March of ’92, it could not be reduced to a pile of rubble. The job was too big.

That’s how it is when you have no control. You can’t see a solution, only the large, seemingly insurmountable problem. Sitting behind the Duke basket, looking across the arena to a destination which seemed so far away and so small, I had thoughts of nothing but desperation. What do you want? There were 2.1 seconds left in the greatest game I’d ever seen, and even if it had ended in a 103-102 Kentucky win, it would have been one of those I-was-there-and-you-weren’t moments.

To my left, the Kentucky fans were in full throat, convinced Sean Woods’ running banker in the lane had finally done the job. It was easy to root for them, despite the school’s history. These weren’t the Wildcats of cranky Adolph Rupp or corporate wonk Joe B. Hall. They were “The Unforgettables,” a team made up of Bluegrass State prep heroes whose dreams of playing for the Blue-and-White were realized largely because the NCAA’s probationary hammer had come down hard on the program in the wake of Eddie Sutton’s fast-and-loose days. Guys like John Pelphrey and Richie Farmer and Deron Feldhaus were role-playing types who had been forged into heroes by necessity and Rick Pitino. Woods was there, too. And so was Jamal Mashburn, a reminder that Kentucky wouldn’t always be so cuddly. The talent spigot had been turned on again.

“The so-called ‘All-Americans’ had transferred,” says Pitino, who had come to the program’s rescue two years before. “What was left behind were people nobody wanted. There was a group of three Kentucky kids who bled the colors of the university. They had dreamed about playing there since they were born.”

Everybody else in the gym was rooting for Duke, or at least it seemed that way. That’s what happens when you’re the defending National Champs and represent a prestigious private school. That goes a long way in Philly, where the Main Line is loaded with preppy, well-heeled fans who both attended and paid their children’s tuition at such schools. But even they, who were so used to getting their way, couldn’t see a solution. The 1992 NCAA East Regional championship was Kentucky’s. Those 2.1 seconds were just for dramatic effect. After all, the job was too big.

“We’re going to win.”

That’s how it started. Well, actually it started with Woods, a fearless point guard who had driven around Duke assist machine Bobby Hurley and banked in a 13-footer over the fingernails of Blue Devil center Christian Laettner to give UK a one-point lead with 2.1 left in overtime. “I wanted to get the ball up there, so that if I missed it, there would be a chance for somebody to tip it in,” Woods says. “I wanted it to hit the back of the rim, but I gave it some extra oomph, because of the excitement. It hit the square in the middle.”

Woods’ shot had seemingly capped a wild overtime ride that featured two huge baskets by Pelphrey and an old-fashioned three-point play by Mashburn. Duke had countered with a Hurley triple and six points by Laettner (four free throws and a bucket). Each punch and resulting counterpunch had brought the assembled throng to a heightened state of frenzy.

It had been that way the entire game, really. Duke led throughout much of the first half, but there was no impression the Blue Devils would run away with the thing. On the contrary, there was a sense of concern, since the game was being played at UK’s frenetic pace. “Kentucky was a run-and-gun team that scored so many points,” Laettner says. “I didn’t know if we could hang with them. That was the only way to beat us that year. You couldn’t slow it down on us or do anything else.”

Laettner’s right. Duke had been transformed from the lovable underdog that had slain the mighty UNLV bandits in the ’91 national semifinal into a leviathan, losing but twice (to North Carolina and Wake Forest). Laettner and Hurley were the best players at their positions in the land, and Grant Hill wasn’t exactly shabby at the forward spot. Thomas Hill, Brian Davis and Antonio Lang made significant contributions to one of the best teams of the last 25 years. Kentucky’s players felt confident, but they knew what they were getting into. “Make no mistake whatsoever,” Pelphrey says. “We understood who they were. We understood their personnel. And we knew these guys would play for a long time after we hung them up.”

Duke led 50-45 at the half and had a 79-69 advantage when the real fun began. “We had pressed them throughout, and we thought they would eventually get tired, and we would make a run,” Pelphrey says. Sure enough, Kentucky fought back. And at one point, things almost got out of control. After UK freshman Aminu Timberlake fouled Laettner, Timberlake hit the deck. Laettner, not too happy with some of the physical play going on, stomped on Timberlake’s chest, drawing a technical and some outrage. “I was losing my balance, and I put my foot on his chest,” Laettner says. “I wasn’t trying to hurt him, and that’s why the ref only gave me one technical foul.” While Kentucky fans screamed for Laettner’s head, the game rollicked toward its conclusion.

After regulation, it was 93-93. Kentucky led three times in OT before Woods’ shot. Duke was in front twice. And then it was 103-102. The Devils called timeout, and coach Mike Krzyzewski made his prediction. “We’re going to win.”

“I think we believed it, because Coach has a commanding presence, and whatever he said in that huddle, we came out of it feeling like we had a chance to win,” Grant Hill says.

The Pass

After assuring his team that it would win, Krzyzewski had a question for Grant Hill: “Can you make a good pass?” Hill said yes, and that part of the problem was solved. “That was a positive,” Laettner recalls simply.

In the Kentucky huddle, there were no questions about whether the game could be won. In most of the players’ minds, it had already been decided. Pelphrey thought about how probation had stripped UK of the SEC title it had won the previous year. About how the people of Kentucky had supported the team through Pitino’s difficult first year, when the Wildcats finished 14-14. “I thought we would have a ring [as East Region champs] that no one could take away from us,” Pelphrey says. Woods, meanwhile, felt some vindication, since he had struggled earlier in the year in some late-game situations. He was also impatient. “I wanted to hurry up and get the dad-gum game over,” he says. “People didn’t realize what we had gone through for the past two or three years. There was an urgency to get some satisfaction.”

Pitino prepared his team for the first part of the play with a decision that some still question: the Wildcats would not have anybody guard Hill. The reasoning was that having an extra man trying to intercept—or at least deflect—the throw was preferable to hoping a defender could distract the passer and playing one-on-one at the other end. “We wanted to make them hit the ‘Hail Mary,’” Farmer says. It’s not like Pitino concocted this one on the spot. UK had had success defending plays like that all year. “We worked on that play many times during the season, and usually we would steal the ball, because we were playing five-on-four,” Pelphrey says. “I like those odds with two seconds left.”

Not that Laettner was worried either way. “Grant could have made that pass if someone had been guarding him,” he says. “It wouldn’t have been as precise, but it still would have been as good.”

The Catch

The Blue Devils respective responsibilities went this way: Hurley was supposed to head toward GHill, bringing a man with him. Thomas Hill and Lang were to fake short and go long. And Laettner was to come from the far corner to the foul line. It didn’t matter that there would be at least two players around the pass. Since Mashburn had fouled out, the main challenge to any jump ball thrown Laettner’s way had been removed. Though he stood 6-11, Laettner was never considered a human pogo stick. “We always joked with him that he wasn’t an athlete,” Lang says, laughing. “He was a pretty good athlete, but we didn’t like to say it.”

The Wildcats understood their situation. Pelphrey went 6-7. So did Feldhaus. Timberlake was 6-9. “Duke had two out-of-bounds plays,” Woods says. “[The long pass] was one of them. We never thought that with two guys on him that the ball would get there.” So, it was Laettner going for a long pass against Pelphrey (in the front) and Feldhaus (in the back). “When I was standing in the corner, getting ready for the play, I said to myself, ‘Go get the ball big and strong,’” Laettner says. “I knew I had time to make a move and dribble.”

So, Laettner went to get the ball, big and strong, just like he said. And he caught it, just like he said.

The Shot

Laettner didn’t know he was perfect to that point. Maybe Krzyzewski did, but he wasn’t letting on. “I had no idea I hadn’t missed a shot, and the coaches were smart enough not to tell me,” Laettner says. We in the stands certainly didn’t know. A great game? Yes. Infallibility? No. Nine-of-nine from the field. Ten-of-ten from the line. “He was 6-11 and an outstanding shooter who could shoot the three-pointer, put the ball on the floor, take a couple dribbles and pull up or take it all the way to the basket, too,” Farmer says. “He was a difficult matchup.”

Laettner was more than that. Way more. His résumé is one of the most impressive in college basketball history. He won two titles at Duke and scored more points in NCAA tourney games than anybody in NCAA history. He piled up 2,460 points, pulled down 1,149 boards and led Duke to 123 wins during his four years. “I don’t know that there’s a player who accomplished what Christian accomplished in the last 35-40 years of college basketball,” Grant Hill says. “I mean, he was unbelievable. Unbelievable talent, unbelievable ability, unbelievable confidence.”

One of the things that few people realized about Laettner was his toughness. Let’s face it; he was a tall, soft-spoken dude with great hair and a look that screamed “Wonder Bread!” But then-Purdue coach Gene Keady, hardly a softy himself, once told me, “He’s as mean as a snake,” after having coached Laettner on a summer touring team. When Laettner positioned himself for that last play, he certainly wasn’t thinking about messing up or worrying that he might let people down. In fact, in his sophomore year, Laettner hit the game-winning shot that beat UConn to win the East Region title at the Meadowlands. “People don’t realize how competitive he was,” Lang says. “He’d rip your head off. Anything he played he hated losing, even pickup games in the summer.”

So Laettner was confident, and once he’d caught the ball he knew he could get a clear shot. The last thing Pitino had told his team was not to foul anybody. Could there be a worse way to lose a regional title game? “The last thing we wanted to do was put Christian Laettner on the line,” Woods says.

Laettner came down with the ball, faked right, dribbled once to gather himself and turned to his left unmolested. Pelphrey actually moved away with his hands up, as if to let the referees know he had no intention of touching Laettner. Feldhaus raised his arms straight up but lowered them as Laettner shot, again not wanting to give anybody a chance to call a foul.

The fallaway jumper was perfect. Duke had its win, 104-103. And Laettner had further cemented his legacy.

“You always work on buzzer-beaters,” he says. “When you’re a kid in the driveway, you say ‘3-2-1’ and then shoot. At Duke, the last thing I did every day was practice jumpers from the top of the key with the clock going down. I did it alone first and then with a defender there.”

The Aftermath

Lang and Pelphrey are close friends. The former Kentucky star is now the successful head coach at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, where Lang lives when he isn’t coaching ball in Japan. They see each other three times a week, because Lang works out at USA, and the two men’s children play youth sports together. And yet…

“We never talk about that game,” Lang says today.

You can’t blame the Kentucky players for not joining in the celebration of the game. They know its place in history, but they still can’t get past the fact that they had redemption in their hands, only to have Laettner take it away. Farmer, now the Commissioner of Agriculture in Kentucky, admits that he still struggles with the memory. “We thought we had the game,” he says.

The Duke players, of course, relish the memories and the victory. Says Lang, “It was our destiny.”

The rest of us, especially those who were lucky enough to be there, still can’t quite believe what happened. The impossible had become magical. Something which seemed so big had been taken apart with precision and reassembled perfectly. Mere mortals are left to marvel at the results, while the gods reap the rewards.

Laettner sums up the postgame emotion beautifully. “It was the most exciting, absolutely chaotic 20 minutes of my life,” he says. “It was the greatest feeling of utmost joy and happiness.”

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Oh, I thought it was going to be a night of comebacks in the L after the Raptors allowed the Indiana Pacers to come back from 23 down and get the 105-101 victory.

I thought the Bucks were going to pull off the comeback win against the Suns. They fell just short, but showed a lot of fight and heart on the second night of a back-to-back after finding out they had lost Michael Redd for the remainder of the season after he re-tore his acl and mcl in his left knee.

Before we go any further, sending all of my positive thoughts to M. Redd right now. After working hard to get back and having his ups and downs as he worked to get used to being back, Redd re-injured his left knee last night and will have to go through the whole process again. Here’s hoping his strength and faith remain strong as he continues on the comeback trail once again.

Thoughts are also with Bucks coach Scott Skiles who was taken to the hospital before the game in Phoenix tonight with a heart issue. Hoping he’s healthy and good to go as soon as possible.

In the Suns victory, Steve Nash had 30 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. He also had seven turnovers, but shot 12-for-18 from the floor as the Suns hung on after allowing the Bucks to come back from 24 points down to briefly take the lead down the stretch. Grant Hill reached 15,000 career points and honestly, it’s just amazing to me that he was able to come back and play long enough to get there. He’s playing, playing well and it still feels so satisfying to see him doing what so many didn’t believe he’d be able to.

As for the Raptors/Pacers, the Raps lose on the night when O’Brien doesn’t play Dahntay Jones as he picks up the DNP-CD for the first time this season and also on the night when Andrea Bargnani grabs a career-high 17 rebounds.

Even in the loss, it was lovely to see Andrea crashing the boards. He wasn’t the only one with a huge game, as Troy Murphy scored 20 points to go with his 16 boards.

Not lovely: Second straight game of Hedo Turkoglu shooting 2-for-9 from the floor.

There was a wild game in Boston as the Hawks came to town and left with a victory. Atlanta finds a way to bring their “A” game against the C’s in Boston, don’t they? The Celtics were without both Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace (and Marquis Daniels, of course, who I’ve enjoyed in Boston and am looking forward to watching again when he gets healthy) and they were unable to stop Joe Johnson. Giving up 36 points and five 3-points to “Joe the basketball player” as our girl C Co would say, the Celtics also fell apart as they fought with the refs. Doc Rivers was kicked out and the Hawks went on to their third victory against the Celtics this season.

As Co Co said, regardless of what happens at the end of the month, “we’ve” won the season series. Rejoice, Hawks fans. Now, teach your team to defeat the Magic.

18 points, five rebounds, eight assists and four steals for Andre Iguodala in a Philly victory over the Hornets. Man, New Orleans just can’t seem to get comfortable on the road can they? They’re like a different team when they are not at home.

Did you all catch the Twitter beef between Jordan Farmar and Brandon Jennings? SMH.

That is appropriate in describing that, right? I did like Farmar’s “Look at the ring. Done proved myself,” line. That one cracked me up, because you can’t really argue with it.

Detroit. Detroit. Detroit. Stand up? 13 L’s in a row. I’m sorry. Tad, I’m sorry. Ben Gordon, you should still be on the Bulls squad, instead of losing to them. I don’t know what to think about the Pistons. Paying all of that money to Charlie V. and BG to come off of the bench never made sense to me in the first place and now it just looks bad.

What are you guys thinking about the team?

There was a close game in Golden State between the Warriors and the Cavs as Cleveland prevailed despite the bes efforts of Monta Ellis, keeping it close down the stretch after a c-o-l-d stretch where he missed 10 straight shots. While Ellis finished with 30 points, five assists, steals and turnovers, Corey Maggette scored 32, but neither could match LeBron James who had 37 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and four blocks, one of which was a from behind swat on an Ellis steal and it was awesome.

21 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Steph Curry on 8-for-15 field goal attempts. He had the prettiest move against Anthony Parker, all but tripping him up and then getting to the hoop for the finish with ease.

Also: Leon Powe. Cannot wait for that man to be out of his lovely suits and back in a uniform.

16 points, 6-for-10 fgs, 2-for-3 3-point fgs, 2-for-2 fts = Jonathan Bender’s line last night in the Knicks loss to the OKC boys. Yes, it was a loss. Yes, it was a success for Bender who continues to show he’s making the comeback a reality.

30 points for KD on 8-for-14 fgs, getting to the line 16 times, connecting on 13. I love those lines.

Maggette’s 32 came on 7-for-14 from the floor and 17-18 from the line. Crazzzy.

2-for-13 fgs….. Hi, J. Flynn. I’m still sticking with you through another rough night. 24 points for his teammate Corey Brewer though. Anyone else cringe whenever he goes to the hoop because they fear he is going to snap in two if he’s fouled?

Melo had 24 points in his return after resting that sore knee as the Nuggets held off the TWolves, 105-94.

Lakers/Spurs tonight is the game I’m looking forward to watching. Even when they are struggling, love watching SA at home. Here’s hoping for lots of DeJuan Blair time.

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Although the Eastern Conference currently features three loaded powerhouses in Boston, Cleveland and Orlando, its overall talent and quality of teams falls short to the West. It’s been the case the entire decade. But there was a time not too long ago when the gap between the conferences was far greater, where the Western’s dominance wasn’t even questioned due to a lack of elite teams as well as a shortage of great players in the East.

The 2001 NBA All-Star Game was clearly evident of this fact, featuring a Western Conference roster that dwarfed its counterparts in skill and size. Just look at the starters:

For the East, it was Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Antonio Davis (starting for the injured Alonzo Mourning) and Anthony Mason (starting in place of Grant Hill). Pretty good unit.

On the other side, the West featured Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Chris Webber, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett (for the injured Shaquille O’Neal). Beastly. And here’s some bench names for ya – Karl Malone, Gary Payton and David Robinson.

There’s no argument — one roster was ripe with talent while the other was simply full of Hall-of-Famers. Nobody expected the East to pull this one out.

But once Garnett and Davis lined up for the tip-off, the game began to follow the usual all-star game track. The first three quarters are a highlight reel rather than a competitive game – nobody really cares who’s winning or losing early – that is, until the two clubs suddenly begin to play for the victory once crunch time arrives sometime in the fourth. It’s amazing how the game transforms so quickly from an exhibition of dazzling moments into a battle of pride for the respective conferences. 2001 takes the crown since the highlight portion was quite spectacular only to be followed by one of the greatest down-to-the-wire comebacks in All-Star Game history.

The West jumped out to an early 15-2 lead which they didn’t relinquish until very late, carrying a 19-point lead into the fourth quarter. So while the score might not have been so exciting through the opening 36 minutes, the thrilling plays certainly came in heavy doses.

Amidst a multitude of first quarter dunks, including high-flying alley oops to Garnett and Ray Allen, Iverson delivered a beautiful underarm self pass that he finished in reverse lay-up fashion. The crowd and the camera wasn’t exactly sure what happened. I was – it’s called amazing body control.

In the second quarter, Carter displayed a nasty 360 that would’ve been considered ordinary in the dunk contest. He drew a hilarious reaction from Shaq, of course. Later in the quarter, Mason dashed a cross-court bouncer to Vince who finished with a hard windmill. These were the kind of dunks that made you realize just how athletic Vince was, how his 2000 dunk contest performance should not be taken for granted.

In the third quarter, Kobe and Garnett were involved on the two best alley-oops of the game. First, Kobe had the ball on a break and laid up a perfect pass off the backboard, where a trailing KG emerged out of a pack, went sky-high and threw it down with a huge right hand dunk.

Only a few moments later, the roles reversed as Garnett floated the rock away from the rim only to have Kobe reach back behind his head and slam it home which drew plenty of buzz around the MCI center.

But as the final quarter was looming with the East down by 19, nobody anticipated what would happen next.

The fourth quarter began lazily, with the West still holding a comfortable 21 point lead with nine minutes remaining. The Eastern conference couldn’t find the net whatsoever, and as Kobe and Shaq delivered a bilingual comical analysis on the sideline, it seemed like this all star game was headed for a laugher.

That is, until the East put on their running shoes. In the next stretch, Carter, Ray-Ray, and Stackhouse were gunning after every defensive board – all contributing to a quick three minute, 11-1 run that left the East trailing, 96-85.

Iverson, recognizing that the Western Conference was well within reach, took over at the helm. On each possession, he immediately got the ball in his hand and ran down the court with a head of steam. Easy jump stop for a layup. Finds Stackhouse off the inbound for an open three. Finds Vince on the next possession for another trifecta.

And with that, the defensive intensity on the Eastern side clearly maximized – as Dikembe Mutombo manned the middle with tenacity, the Western stars couldn’t help but settle for long jumpers.

Off a well-defended turn around miss by Kobe on the following possession, the Answer grabbed the board and demonstrated the speed. He flew down the court in a split second, outrunning his whole team and every defender as well. Kidd could do nothing but foul the little guy at the top of the key, yet Iverson was able to take two huge steps to get the easy continuation at the rim. And 1, and a score of 100-96. The West’s insurmountable lead was now in the past.

After another two great defensive stands by Mutombo, Iverson hit two free throws following a hard drive…and then out-sprints everyone again to the hole only to have McGrady pick up the loose change for an easy bucket. And just like that, the game was tied at the century mark.

Iverson wasn’t even close to done as the final three minutes made for scintillating television. Following a KG jumper, AI nailed an open three that gave the East their first lead 45 minutes into the contest, 103-102, only to head back to the strike on another long, touch drive to the hole. After converting both free-throw attempts, the East had the lead once again, 105-104. And although Iverson did so much more than just score in this game – it’s hard to ignore that 15 of his 25 points came in the final quarter.

Then all of a sudden – the battle of Bryant vs. Marbury emerged. With a little over a minute remaining, Kobe dropped two long jumpers off the dribble that gave the West the 108-105 lead. And although many thought the ball might have gone back to Iverson, the other little guy instead spotted up and drained the game-tying three-ball in Webber’s eye. Starbury had been quiet since hitting a three to open the quarter, but he shined in the final minute.

The West’s final points came with 37 seconds left as Kobe (you guessed it) converted an impossible jumper that had his team up 110-108, but Marbury takes the lead right back with another beautiful rainbow from beyond the arc. 111-110, East led with 28 seconds remaining. That’s six points each for Kobe and Marbury in the last two minutes. But on the West’s final possession, Starbury would now contribute on the defensive end, forcing Kobe to give up the last shot to Duncan. After the buzzer sounded and TD’s shot fell short – AI, Marbury and co. shot down the court, pointing to the crowd and their respective home white jerseys.

What a show. What a comeback. What a performance by Iverson and Marbury, the two smallest guys on the court, down the stretch. AI would be named All-Star Game MVP for his heroics and leadership – leading to a memorable moment where Allen asked for his coach, Larry Brown, at the podium.

So, with apologies to the 2003 All-Star Game (Michael Jordan’s final appearance), this game had it all. Sick passes, unconventional moves, high-flying dunks as well as an incredibly competitive fourth quarter. And here’s the best part – even in a game of all-stars, we witnessed a captivating underdog story.

***

For more Decade Awards, check out the archive.

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Every year, hundreds of basketball sneakers are produced, issued, sold, and played in on the hardwood worldwide, and for every year in the NBA, at least one star player has a special season that is the peak of his career—and a signature shoe that shares in his glory. That’s what Sneak Peak is all about—highlighting players and their sneakers from the past 25 years who shared the spotlight with iconic play and iconic style. (For the time being, the Sneak Peak series will now focus on the golden era of the top sigs, players, and overall seasons, which was approximately between 1994 and 1996, which we are dubbing “The Wonder Years”.)

by Sandy Dover

If Grant Hill was nothing more in his first six seasons, he was at least interesting.

Third pick overall in a 6-8 package of small forward decked out in blue. An educated Dukie and a star Blue Devil with a pedigree the length of a Fruit By The Foot snack strip. He had a high-top fade and an seemingly-imaginary dunk that defined much of his amateur dominance in America; so when Hill came to the Detroit Pistons, no one expected less than superstardom, and for the more memorable on-court memories of his career, he embodied that. He was called a “Next Jordan”, but he more than that in many ways.

1994-1995 just the right time for him.

He brought Sprite to prominence, The Greatest of All-Time was out doing him for more than half of the season, and Hill was playing point guard most of the time, trying to bring some heat in the chilly-looking Palace at Auburn Hills.

And Fila became his calling card.

It wasn’t his highest scoring season, but Grant Hill’s rookie season may have been his most impactful. The way he moved on the court personified grace; he was slotted at forward, but spent so much of his time at the top of the key with the ball, you might as well have called him the next Magic. When his man would slip to the side of him, Hill would just dribble-drive all the way to the basket. When he wasn’t hitting from the outside (and if you watch, Grant wasn’t even that good of a shooter), he was finding open men in Joe Dumars and Terry Mills at the three-point line. GH was a real triple threat, and certainly could defend. Lanky and long, defense was a mere nothing for him; the attempt alone to stop the ball gave Grant the advantage, and with the mind of a steel trap, it’s no wonder he was an All-Star in his first season. The Rookie of the Year (with Jason Kidd sharing the honors) made plenty of sense and was already a foregone conclusion. 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5 assists made it plenty easy to see things that way, too.

Fila was already becoming en vogue as an athletic shoe company. It’s one thing to wear Italian-made clothes in the layperson world, but to rock something that unique as recreation is even more exciting to some, and it wasn’t lost on Fila what they could do with a pure talent in Hill. Called both the GH1 and The Hill, Grant’s first signature sneaker was so different and eye-catching, most people didn’t know what to do with themselves when they wore the shoe. With speed-lacing eyelets edging not only around the tongue, but also around the entire collar of the sneaker, Hill became known not only for his ability to pound the rock on the hardwood, but also for how sweet his shoe looked.

The most famous (and first) colorway being the white/navy/red combination, the dark blue traveled all around the shoe in synthetic suede waves with punctured white leather next to them. A large triangular “F Fila” logo marked the side of the outer heel and a deep tire-like tread gave the shoe its stability. White round laces on the navy tongue gave The Hill more pop, and some kids who wore The GH1 actually tied the shoe through the collar’s eyelets with a bow tie hanging on the back of the foot. The shoe was going to be that which would dethrone the Air Jordan, presumably.

Despite all the fanfare and newfound NBA glory, neither Fila nor the Pistons did anything for Hill to make them an instant contender. Outside of Grant actually dunking the ball (hard to remember, huh?) and actually playing the vast majority of the 82 games in the ’95 season, Hill used his first year as a significant stepping stone to reach the heights of his career that were yet to come. Sadly, the Pistons were merely nothing in his later years with the team. He became an elite player (despite self-admittedly not being able to even finish at the basket with his left hand), broke his foot in the wrong place, and well, you know the story… the former Duke Blue Devil was never the same player again after the year 2000 (though he did play in later All-Star games with the Orlando Magic). He’s still making great strides with the Phoenix Suns to this very day.

Fila soon lost credibility after his injury (and if you check the last designs of the Grant Hill signature shoes, it might have been before the injury took place). Lacking the technology and proper design team to compete with the challenges that Nike and adidas were responsible for presenting to the rest of the sneaker world, Fila minimized its U.S. market share and reemerged years later as a non-basketball athletic and lifestyle company.

Even though it was brief, for a short while, Grant and Fila were a match seemingly made for the stars.

But even constellations don’t show up in the sky every night.

Sandy Dover is a novelist/writer, artist, fitness and shoe enthusiast, as well as an unrepentant Prince fan (please, refrain from cackling). You can find him frequently here at SLAMonline, as well as at Associated Content and Twitter.

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Photos by Colby Katz
Originally published in SLAM 112

After what seemed like countless injury-plagued seasons, Grant Hill landed in Phoenix where he hoped to have a chance to showcase his undeniable talents. Whether Hill’s smile is caused by the opportunity for a shot at the title he was given by the Suns, playing with Steve Nash, or his beautiful surroundings, he certainly was enjoying his time on the water.—Adam Fleischer

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UPDATE: Bright Side of the Sun unveils how the mistake occurred.

(Thanks to Joey E. for the image capture)

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“This” being: A theoretical bit of prediction-making that assumes the career of a given NBA player ends immediately — not at the end of the season, but right now, this very second (10:08 a.m. on March 9, 2009, as I type this). It doesn’t matter how — make it dramatic or interesting or cruel and twisted if you like — but we assume that said player has been cruising through life as an NBA player until right … now. Suddenly and irrevocably, his career is done. He will never play another game, ever. His resume is as full as it’s gonna get. And so the hypothetical question, applicable for any of the roughly three dozen guys mentioned below, is this:

Is he, right now, in the Basketball Hall of Fame?

Read that sentence again, and notice my subtle emphasis on the present tense.

This is not about a player who was on a Hall of Fame pace, nor is it about who I think should be in. It’s about who, assuming this theoretical has become reality, does get it in. This is about historical precedent. This is about the fact that, unlike the halls in Cooperstown or Canton, the Hoop Hall is not specifically a “pro” hall of fame. And it’s about my own skeptical familiarity with the Hall of Fame election “process”. As such, I’ve considered variables I wish I didn’t have to, like “character,” off-court reputation or even where guys are from (the farther from the U.S., the better their numbers seem to look), that influence who gets the call and who gets left behind.

The players mentioned below are those whose resumes are, in my opinion, strong enough to justify making at least some theoretical case for — even if I (or the folks at the Hoop Hall) would never actually give them the time of day. I’ve broken them into four categories:

LOCKS: These guys have already punched their ticket. Book it, count it, send it in Jerome. The guys listed under “LOCKS” are just that. They are, for all intents and purposes, Hall of Famers right now, and nothing short of some shocking off-court development can change that.

PROBABLY IN: I’d be really surprised if any of these guys aren’t locks, but I can foresee an argument or arguments against their inclusion. Those arguments shouldn’t be enough to keep them out, but there’s a slim chance they miss the cut.

PROBABLY OUT: Each of these guys has a lot going for him; each of them also a red flag or flags that will almost definitely keep them from getting to Springfield.

LOCKED OUT: The guys on this list have strong resumes that at least earn them a look, but at this point in their careers, they simply haven’t done enough to get in. Some of them WILL, eventually, but that’s not the discussion we’re having right now, is it?

Worth noting: I am indebted to the good folks at Basketball Reference for making a lot of these stats easy to find, but it wasn’t until I was almost done putting this together that I noticed B-R’s “Hall of Fame probability” feature, which, because I’m making predictions, not measuring probability, I made a point not to look at it. Just, FYI.

Players are listed, by category, in alphabetical order.

Also, I didn’t consider anyone who wasn’t in at least their fifth NBA season. Sorry, Chris.

Oh, and if I got any numbers wrong — which seems likely, as there are a f*cking lot of numbers here — feel free to let me know. If I actually forgot any players (I almost forgot Dirk, which was funny), let me know about that, too.

———

LOCKS

Justification is provided where I figured certain players might need it; the rest are too obvious for any remotely sane person to argue with, and thus required nothing beyond their names.

Ray Allen 13th season, 20.9 ppg, 9x All-Star, 1x NBA champion, 1x First-Team A-A

Ray Allen is a member of the All-Star Advisory Council for the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA youth basketball support program. Ray Allen is the NBA Spokesman for the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Ray Allen is also considered one of the best pure shooters in NBA history. Knock him for being one-dimensional if you like (even if the criticism isn’t really accurate), but Ray’s better at that one thing than pretty much anyone’s ever been. Add in terrific college and NBA resumes, and his long-time standing as one of the NBA’s ultimate “good guys” — i.e. a player the League can safely market to advertisers and ticket-buyers, not just the sort of degenerates who read SLAM. Playing an integral role in the C’s title last year clinches it.

Shane Battier

Kobe Bryant

Tim Duncan

Kevin Garnett

LeBron James 6th season, 27.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 6.6 apg, 3x First-Team All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 2x All-Star MVP, ’04 ROY, 1x Olympic gold medalist, 2x National HS POY

On the VERY off chance you think LeBron is too young to be a lock, consider this: Hall of Famer Bill Walton scored 6215 points in 468 career NBA games. Bron has more than DOUBLED that point total — in 15 fewer games. Obviously Bill’s got that ridiculous college career going for him, plus rings at UCLA and Portland. Bron counters with three state high school championships and a very high-profile Olympic gold — all of which is unnecessary, of course. He’s in regardless.

Jason Kidd 15th season, 13.9 ppg, 9.2 apg, 6.7 rpg, 9x All-Star, 5x First-Team All-NBA, 4x First-Team All-Defense, ’95 co-ROY, 2x Olympic gold medalist, 1x First-Team A-A

His stats actually underwhelm, and he’s never won an MVP or a ring. But the rest of the resume is unfadeable.

Steve Nash 13th season, 14.3 ppg, 8.0 apg, 2x League MVP, 3x First-Team All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 3x led League in APG, 1x led League in FT PCT

Stand-up guy; actively charitable and insanely marketable; Canadian. None of which matters, really, because he’s a TWO-TIME LEAGUE MVP. Nash was a lock three years ago.

Dirk Nowitzki 11th season, 22.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1x League MVP, 3x First-Team All-NBA, 8x All-Star, 1x Eurobasket MVP

Strong NBA numbers, a boatload of All-Star berths, strong international credentials, and that one somewhat regrettable MVP are more than enough to erase doubts about Diggler’s manhood.

Shaquille O’Neal

Paul Pierce 11th season, 22.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 7x All-Star, 1x NBA champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x First-Team A-A

Prince Paul has spent his entire career with the League’s most storied franchise, which he last year led — both as team captain, and as Finals MVP — to the NBA title. He’s in.

Yao Ming 7th season, 19.1 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 7x All-Star

Statistically, he hasn’t done enough for long enough. And then you remember that he’s the basketball ambassador of an emerging nation that contains 20 percent of the global population. Any questions?

———

PROBABLY IN

If I had to put money on it, all these guys are in. But I don’t, so they’re not. Quite.

Chauncey Billups 12th season, 15.1 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4x All-Star, 1x NBA champion, 1x Finals MVP

Good but not great numbers, and he’s never been first-team All-NBA, but the Mr. Big Shot rep he earned during Detroit’s run will linger. For obvious reasons, I’ll compare him to Joe Dumars. And Joe’s in the Hall.

Vince Carter 11th season, 23.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 8x All-Star, ’99 ROY, 1x Olympic gold medalist

He’s never been first-team all-NBA, and his rep as dispassionate — which we don’t have to get into here — will hurt his cause. But hey, Nique made it eventually, right? Compare the stats. Too easy. Probably.

Manu Ginobili 7th season, 14.8 ppg, 1x All-Star, 2x NBA champion, 1x Sixth Man of the Year, 1x Olympic gold medalist & Tournament MVP, 1x Euroleague Finals MVP, 2x Italian League MVP

His NBA numbers are relatively underwhelming, but anyone paying attention appreciates his value to the Spurs; in the Hall’s eyes, he’s like a post-2K James Worthy. Add in his international success — both professionally and in the Olympics — and he’s already nearing lock status.

Richard Hamilton 10th season, 17.5 ppg, 3x All-Star, 1x NBA champion, 1x NCAA champion, 1x Final Four MOP, 1x First-Team A-A

A 45-percent career shooter who almost never dunks? Rip’s gonna go down as one of the most efficient shooters of his generation. Plus, the Hall loves guys who win rings in college and the pros.

Grant Hill 14th season, 18.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.8 apg, 7x All-Star, 1x First-Team All-NBA, ’95 ROY, 1x Olympic gold medalist, 1x First-Team A-A, 2x NCAA champion

Just as this list is not about what might be, it’s also not about what might have been — but we all know that if he’d stayed healthy, Grant would be a lock. As it is, his career numbers are terrific, and his college resume is hella strong. Plus, he’s the only two-time recipient of the NBA Sportsmanship Award and widely considered one of the League’s best citizens. He’ll get Walton-esque sympathy points for having missed so much of his prime with injuries, too. I’m not sure that’ll be enough, but I’m guessing it will.

Allen Iverson 13th season, 27.1 ppg, 6.2 apg, 1x MVP, 10x All-Star, 3x All-NBA first team, 2x All-Star MVP, 4x led League in PPG, 3x led League in SPG, ’97 ROY, 1x first-team A-A

The numbers tell us why AI should be a lock. But a combination of off-court issues (legal scrapes that stretch from high school to the pros) and a growing sense after two semi-recent trades that he doesn’t make teams better (even after he carried an otherwise terrible Sixers team to the ’01 Finals) makes me think they could leave him out. They won’t — I know they won’t — but there’s this tiny little part of me that wonders. And worries.

Dikembe Mutombo 18th season, 9.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.8 bpg, 8x All-Star, 4x Defensive POY, 3x First-Team All-Defense, 2x led League in RPG, 3x led League in BPG

Dude hasn’t averaged double-digit rebounds in seven years, yet his career average is still over 10, and he’s second all-time in blocks. His lack of any offense beyond put-backs won’t help, but it should be countered by the fact that THE MAN BUILDS HOSPITALS FOR POOR PEOPLE. Anyway, he’s a four-time Defensive POY. That’ll be awfully hard to deny.

Tony Parker 8th season, 16.4 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3x All-Star, 3x NBA champion, 1x Finals MVP

Most of the tough ones in this category were guys like Ginobili and Wade (below), who I nearly put on Lock status. In Tony’s case, I was tempted to knock him down to “Probably Out.” His numbers are good but not great, he has no great college or international resume to prop himself up, and other than that week-long span in June of ’07, he’s probably never been the clear-cut best player on his own team. He’s getting closer to it, though, and his French citizenship (even if he was born In Bruges!) scores global-appeal points, just as it does for Yao and Manu. Plus, three rings and a Finals MVP make even baby-faced Tony look like a grown-ass man.

Dwyane Wade 6th season, 24.8 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.9 rpg, 5x All-Star, 1x NBA champion, 1x Finals MVP, 1x Olympic gold medalist, 1x First-Team A-A

Wade’s numbers are only a little bit behind those of his Draft-classmate and homie LeBron, and unlike Bron, he’s got a ring and a Finals MVP to his name. So why isn’t Wade a Lock? For the same reason he has no chance to win MVP this year, even though he has nearly a strong a case: Dwyane just doesn’t quite transcend like LeBron does. There’s no really good reason for this, other than the fact that I wrote a book about one of them and not the other.

Ben Wallace 13th season, 6.3 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 4x All-Star, 4x Defensive POY, 5x First-Team All-Defense, 1x NBA Champion, 2x led League in RPG, 1x led League in BPG

Comparisons to Deke (who I think is in) or Dennis Rodman (who isn’t) make this one a tough call. But Ben doesn’t wear wedding dresses in public, and four DPOYs are gonna be tough to ignore.

———

PROBABLY OUT

I found this category the hardest. I could’ve just done “In,” “On the Bubble,” and “Out,” but I figured “Probably In” and “Probably Out” would make it more interesting. As such, it would’ve been easy to put guys like EB and Tracy on the bubble and leave it at that, but I didn’t. If this doesn’t generate discussion, I give up.

Carmelo Anthony 6th season, 24.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2x All-Star, 1x Olympic gold medalist, 1x NCAA champion, 1x Final Four MOP

His NBA career has been statistically terrific but marred by a lack of high-level team success and a string of knuckle-head moves off and on the court. So I didn’t even expect Melo to be in the conversation, until I remembered the gold medal and the NCAA title. Those things, and his pro numbers to date, put him in the picture. For now, that’ll have to be enough.

Elton Brand 10th season, 20 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.0 bpg, 2x All-Star, ’00 co-ROY, 1x First-Team A-A, 1x, National POY

A 10-year double-double? That’s hard to sleep on, as is that college POY on his resume, as is the fact that he’s widely considered one of the nicest guys in the League. Then you remember he’s made the playoffs ONCE his entire career, most of which he’s spent on teams that ranged from mediocre to terrible — and whatever he’s done, with a single exception in 2006, it hasn’t been enough to get those teams into the playoffs.

Tracy McGrady 12th season, 22.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2x First-Team All-NBA, 7x All-Star, 2x led League in PP

3, 4, 4, 7, 7, 7, 6: The number of games, per season, that McGrady has played in seven career postseason trips. Nobody remembers that he averaged 28.5, 6.9 and 6.2 in those games. What everybody remembers is that none of those teams made it past the first round. Throw in an increasingly questionable level of commitment, and Mac’s in trouble.

Peja Stojakovic 11th season, 17.8 ppg, 3x All-Star, 2x led League in FT PCT, 1x European Championship MVP, 1x Greek League MVP

It’s hard to imagine that Peja was a sort of thinking-man’s MVP choice as recently as five years ago. He’s also Serbian, so more global-appeal points for him. Still, that’s probably not enough.

Amare Stoudemire 7th season, 21.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1x First-Team All-NBA, 4x All-Star, ’03 ROY

An amazing talent, a strange career so far. Five more healthy years and he’s probably a lock. Not yet, though. Not even close.

———

LOCKED OUT

Again, these are guys you could make a theoretical case for; some are likely future locks who are just too young, while others have good-to-great stats but are either too marginal, or too crazy.

Gilbert Arenas 7th season, 22.8 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3x All-Star

No.

Ron Artest 10th season, 16.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1x All-Star, 1x Defensive POY, 2x First-Team All-Defense

Duh.

Mike Bibby 11th season, 16.5 ppg, 6.1 apg, 1x first-team A-A, 1x NCAA champion

For a couple of years there in Sacramento, he might’ve been the best PG in the game— and he still never made an All-Star Game.

Chris Bosh 6th season, 19.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4x All-Star

Headed for a Brand-like fate?

Marcus Camby 13th season, 10.8 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.7 bpg, 2x First-Team All-Defense, 4x led League in BPG, 1x National POY and First-Team A-A

College success — people forget what a stud Camby was at UMass — and his career-long defensive prowess earn him a mention, but here’s another dude who’s never made the ASG.

Baron Davis 10th season, 17 ppg, 7.3 apg, 2x All-Star, 2x led League in SPG

B-Diddy’s been really good — just not good enough, or on good enough teams.

Dwight Howard 5th season, 17.2 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1x First-Team All-NBA, 3x All-Star, 2x led League in RPG, 1x led League in BPG

Not yet. Soon. Just, not yet.

Stephon Marbury 13th season, 19.7 ppg, 7.8 apg, 2x All-Star

It was fun to type his name.

Shawn Marion 10th season, 17.9 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.8 spg, 1.3 bpg, 4x All-Star

If ever they build a fantasy HOF, the Matrix is a lock.

Jermaine O’Neal 13th season, 14.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 5x All-Star

See also: Davis, Baron.

Michael Redd 9th season, 20.5 ppg, 1x All-Star

Yeah. No.

Jerry Stackhouse 14th season, 18.4 ppg, 2x All-Star, 1x First-Team A-A

Eight seasons ago, Jerry Stackhouse averaged 29.8 points and 5.1 assists per game. Figured that was worth mentioning.

The post Almost Famous appeared first on SLAM.

Okay, short version today. I worked in the office all afternoon and night yesterday and didn’t get home until just after 12 a.m. I was home to catch Grizz/Lakers, but that’s it. And, I didn’t even really see that because I was arranging a few interviews I’ve got coming up. Tuesday/Wednesdays kill me!

We had the Cuse game on at work and then a whole bunch of hockey. I honestly, didn’t even miss the games I was so into what I was doing. Feels kinda funny to not know what’s up. It also feels wildly strange to know that it is the NHL trade deadline and to actually know some of the names that are being tossed around. This world of sports is an interesting one, that’s for sure.

So, Cavs are getting Joe Smith and Spurs are taking Drew Gooden.

Line of the night (shout out goes to my co-worker Suppa for picking up on this): “Spurs officials …. envision Gooden as a backup to Matt Bonner”

Bless Bonner’s soul, but how did we get to a place where Gooden is Bonner’s backup? I. Love. It. The Red Rocket will always have a place in the hearts of us Canadians. If Steve Nash is our golden boy, Bonner is a shiny silver.

While I didn’t see any of the action, I was lucky enough to have some of the SLAM-fam and the blogosphere’s finest keeping me in the loop thanks to Twitter, email and text messages.

I do love technology.

From Justin Walsh: “something surprising- Grant Hill was booed most of the game. Why would the Magic boo Grant? Sure his six seasons had a fair number of injuries, but Grant was a great guy in the community.”

This does disappoint me but doesn’t surprise me. I’m pretty sure I remember Grant being booed in Orlando before. Too bad because, personally, I feel warm on a cold winter’s day every time I see Grant get up and slam one home, or rise and drain a pretty jumper. It’s always bittersweet with him, because it makes me think of what could have been.

One more thing from Walsh (and this is just one more reason, why I really don’t know what to think about the +/- stat):

Rafer Alston registered a +15. for one night at least. In the +/- stat, Rafer is +27 over Nash.

seriously though. 20 points 8 assists 7 rebounds 4 steals is a -12, albeit with 7 turnovers. Alston 15 points 6 rebounds 6 assists 2 steals and 4 turnovers…+15. I just don’t see how Rafer is +27 on Nash looking at the game or the numbers.

Thanks to Justin for those little gems, but really, what are your thoughts on that stat? I get that it can make sense, but more than not it just makes me say hmm.

Okay, onto the games that we go. Big night in the L tonight. Looking forward to it.

So, the Warriors played all of their main guys and slaughtered the TWolves, 118-94 after going up by as many as 31 points in the first half. Things were so bad at the end of the game that Coach Nelson went over to Coach McHale to give some words of encouragement. Stephen Jackson scored 23 points to go with 7 rebounds and 6 assists, Andris Biedrins scored 13 points to go with 10 rebounds and Corey Maggette added 16 off of the bench. Kevin Love led the Wolves with 18 points and 14 boards while Randy Foye scored 19 points and Mike Miller added 11 points and 13 rebounds.

The Raptors did their normal Raptor thing and faded in the second half aganst the Rockets, falling 107-97 as Luis Scola had 20 points and 16 boards while Yao Ming had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Carl Landry added 22 off of the bench. Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh scored 25 points apiece to lead Toronto while Shawn Marion had 18 points to go with 10 rebounds.

The Magic were victorious over the Suns with a 111-99 victory in Orlando, spoiling Steve Nash’s return from an ankle inkury Nash finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Magic pulled away in the second half thanks to the sharp shooting of Rashard Lewis who finished with 29 points to go with 12 rebounds, outshining both Dwight Howard (21 and 8), and Shaquille O’Neal (19 and 11). Jason Richardson had 27 for the suns as Hedo Turkoglu scored 22 for Orlando. The Magic attempted 38 free throws to the Suns 17.

The Bobcats sucked the life out of the Bulls, rolling to a 96-80 victory as Chicago managed to top 20 points in just one quarter of the game. The Bobcats led by 13 at the break and easily went on to the win from there. All five Charlotte starters finished in double-figures, led by an 18-point, 9-assist effort from Raymond Felton, to go with 18 points from Raja Bell. Emeka Okafor scored 14 points to go with his 10 boards and Boris Diaw added 14 as well. The Bulls got a 14-point, 12-rebound night from Tyrus Thomas, 14 points from Ben Gordon and 13 from Derrick Rose.

Chauncey Billups received a rousing ovation in his return at the palace last night and then the game began and his old teammates took him and his current Nugets squad down. With all five of their starters finishing in double-figures, the Pistons took the game 100-95, despite a 34-point effort from Billups. Antonio McDyess had a 67-point,  12-rebound night, Rip Hamilton scored 21 points, Tayshaun Prince, 23 and Rasheed Wallace, 16 points to go with 10 rebounds. Nene scored 20 points for the Nuggets who were without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, who was serving a suspension.

The Nets took down Milwaukee, 99-95 thanks to a late three-pointer from Jarvis Hayes that broke the backs of the Bucks. Outscoring Milwaukee 38-28 in the fourth, the Nets won despite giving up 19 offensive rebounds and being outrebounded 52-42. Rookie Brook Lopez led te Nets with 24 points while Devin Harris had 14 points and 11 assists and Vince Carter scored 15. Hayes finished with 14 on the night. The Bucks were led by Charlie Villanueva, with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Ramon Sessions scored 19 points while Richard Jefferson added 20.

The Pacers defeated the Kings in Arco, 117-109 after topping 30 in the first two quarters and opening up a 14-point lead at the half. Troy Murphy had 23 points and 10 rebounds while Jarrett Jack scored 26 points and Travis Diener and Marquis Daniels each added 18. The Kings were led by Rashad McCants 20 points off of the bench as he connected on all six of his field goal attempts. Kevin Martin scored 21 points and Spencer Hawes added 19 in the loss.

The post The Post Up: Super-Shard appeared first on SLAM.

With Grant Hill’s legs being almost completely bionic at this point, it’s a surprise that we haven’t seen him use his rocket boosters much this season. Grant got robotic (Transformers style) on young Joakim Noah, the Bulls’ version of Yao Ming.

The post Video: Grant Hill Goes Back In Time appeared first on SLAM.

The 6th Man: I feel I should be a role model. I’m tired of the bad connotations with my name.—Chris Webber, to SLAM, October ‘97

Dear Chris Webber:

I don’t know you—let me say that right up front. We’ve met on a couple of occasions, mostly after games or at some event, but I have no insight into what makes you you. So if you’d like to take my comments with a grain of salt, it’s certainly your prerogative. Here’s hoping you don’t, though.

One of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made here at SLAM was putting you on the cover of the January ’98 issue. Initially, I was vehemently against it. I felt that your career has been marked by a repeated failure to perform in the clutch coupled with a propensity to stick your nose in where, as an employee, it did not belong, i.e. personnel decisions. (Although, for whatever it’s worth, I’m sure the bad situation with Nellie at G. State was because he was such a hump.) Others on the staff were vocal in your defense, and eventually I caved. I caved when I observed that the off-the-court Chris Webber was a nice guy who was respectful and always had a smile or an encouraging word to keep lesser teammates in the game or a latch-key kid in school. This is what I saw.

And you know what? Even though the issue was one of the poorest selling in SLAM history, I never once regretted my decision. Especially after watching kids respond to you, not in the wide-eyed way they respond to the superheroic MJ, but as if you were their older brother, as if you really cared how they were doing when you asked. (And I believed you did.) I realized then that what you represented in life was a whole hell of a lot more important than your on-court failings.

Lately, however, the moral highground on which you stand has been shakier than the Mailman’s knees during the Finals. I won’t list your transgressions; sadly, they’re far too numerous (and, frankly, depressing) to mention here. But I feel compelled to tell you that you’re one step away from the CBA and two steps from Turkey. For all the talents you possess—and they are prodigious—teams are becoming less inclined to deal with the kind of bullshit you’ve been slinging. Which, in case you were wondering, explains Sacramento.

Despite all of your antics, though, I still believe that you’re a good guy. I really do. I guess I’m just tired of watching you piss your career down the drain. The kids are watching you, yo. Make a difference.

This is your October ’98 wake-up call. Now wake the F up.

Peace,

Tony Gervino

PS. To our readers: In case you were wondering, Mike Miller won’t be writing our Basketball Diary anymore, because even though we weren’t paying him a penny, some NCAA rule prohibits it. Thanks Mike, we’ll be checkin’ for you, and Mike Dunleavy, Jr.’s gonna hold the spot down.

The post SLAM #30 appeared first on SLAM.

The 6th Man: January 14. 7:21 p.m., New York time.

My palms are sweatin’ like Oliver Miller in a Pizza Hut. Earl* is pacing his cubicle like the guy who drafted Sam Bowie. And Martha*? She looks like a GM in David Falk’s office. Five little words have driven us to this point. Five little words have made the SLAM Dome seem smaller than Scoop’s-uh I mean, Steve’s* kicks.

Just like Mike. Only better.

“Just like Mike. Only better.”?? At first, it was a joke. We were looking for a way to express just how dope Grant Hill has become-near triple-double’s every night, dragging a mediocre Pistons squad beyond mere playoff contention (shades of my man Bernard Kng, ’84) by getting the entire team involved. A combination of Iceman and Big O, Grant Hill has grown into the mantle of the game’s best player as if he was born to fill the role. Still…

“Just like Mike. Only better.”??

The more we thought about it, the more it became apparent: we had to do this for credibility’s sake and, most importantly, because it’s a valid statement. And so we’re proud to say it: GRANT HILL IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA THIS SEASON. PERIOD. He’s better than Michael Jordan, who happens to be the greatest player ever to lace up a pair of kicks (and who also happens to take 27 shots a night these days).

And if you don’t like it, if you wanna yell, send us threatening mail or roll up on us at games to voice your opinion, we can take it. We’re not ashamed or anything. Like Doc says in this issue, if you don’t stand for something, you’re gonna fall for anything. So we’re standing up for what we believe in-the few, the proud, the fans who know that Grant Hill is better than Michael Jordan right now. That’s it, like it or lump it. We have spoken.

And that’s the truth, or my name isn’t Kenny*.

Peace,

Tony Gervino

*Names in this article have been changed to protect the innocent, in case Jordan calls the office to scream on us.

The post SLAM #17 appeared first on SLAM.

The 6th Man: I WAS IN THE MIAMI AIRPORT, COMING home from a few days in the Florida Keys, when all hell broke loose. In an airport lounge, not much larger than Bryant Reeves, fifteen-or-so fans crowded around a TV watching the last painful seconds of Indiana’s win over my Knicks in the Eastern Conference semis.

“Ewing choked!” I moaned, after his layup attempt finger-rolled in…and out. And pounding the bar, I looked around to see who was in agreement. Most of the guys nodded vigorously. Drunk guys are like that.

“How did he choke?” my girl Gina asked. Although she doesn’t know a lot about hoops, Gina plays the devil’s-advocate like she invented the role. Plus, she loves to bust my chops.

“He missed the damn shot.” I said, filled with a mixture of sorrow and anger, my head resting on God-knows-what.

“Didn’t that other guy miss a minute ago?” she countered.

(She was talking about Mase clanking two frees a little bit earlier.)

“Well, yeah,” I answered hesitantly.

“Did he choke?”

“No, he just…uh…” I stammered.

Just what? I asked myself, feeling stupider than even a guy with a coaster stuck to his elbow should. Calling someone a choker—and we all do it, don’t we?—is ridiculous. Hasn’t Patrick Ewing done enough for the Knicks franchise without being labeled a gagger by some guy with a sunburned neck and serious ups deficiency? Of course he has, and, yeah Mom, I know: I should be ashamed of myself.

When Reggie Miller labeled the Knicks “choke artists” after killing them singlehandedly in Game One, I thought it was rubbing salt in their wounds, and a totally classless thing for him to do. (Watching him sleepwalk through Game 7 against the Magic in the Eastern Conference finals, however, made me feels tons better. Thanks, Reg.) But then, some would argue, Reggie Miller plays the game, and he can call anyone anything he wants.

I honestly don’t think so. And that day in that cheesy bar, surrounded by my new friends, none of whose names I would or even could remember, I vowed never to accuse someone of choking again, no matter what the circumstances may be. Remember: Even the best players don’t make every single shot. Most of the time, a miss is just that—a miss. No pulse-pounding sweaty drama. No twenty thousand screaming nutjobs having their say. Just the numbers catching up to a guy who may have made six straight jays earlier in the game.

I was forced to amend my vow, I confess, just after Game One of the NBA Finals when…. awww forget it. But that’s the end of it, I swear.

Peace,

Tony Gervino

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