NBA BLUE DEVILS
WRITTEN BY BRADY AKERS
7-Time NBA All-Star Still Ballin’ in Phoenix
HILL STILL SHINING
Bountiful sun-
shine, lush green
golf courses, and a
warm climate are
enticing offerings
to attract potential
retirees to Arizona.
In fact, Arizona is
the second-fastest
growing state in
the country as
post-professionals
flock to bask in the OR BALDIZON
state’s warmth and
sunshine. In the
GES/VICT
summer of 2007,
another veteran
made the move to
Phoenix, AZ. De-
VIA GETTY IMA
spite his compara-
NBAE
tively “old age”
(34 years old at the
time) and a career
spent battling vari-
ous injuries, Grant
Hill had no plans
of retirement in his
future. Instead, the
seven-time NBA
All-Star set out to
prove that he is still
reaching the NBA playoffs.
among the Association’s best.
The Virginia native admits, "The perception
Shaking off murmurs of perpetual injuries, Hill
when Grant Hill signed with the Suns was, 'Can he
arrived in Phoenix last season in the best shape
keep up?'” Through a season and a half, it appears
since his early career in Detroit. Starting in 68 of
that the real question is how well the others can
his 70 games played, the 6’8” healthy Hill played
keep up with the third pick of the 1994 NBA Draft.
his most games since the 1999-2000 season with the
This season, No. 33 continues to prove that last
Pistons. The former Blue Devil’s productivity and
year was no fluke. Averaging 10.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG
commitment were even more impressive, leading
and 2.1 APG on the season, Grant’s leadership,
then head coach Mike D’Antoni to label him “a
consistency and dedication have helped Phoenix
dream.” Shooting over 50% from the field for the
adjust to three different head coaches in the past
entire year, Hill averaged over 13 points per game.
two years. Yet, the most telling statistic of all may
His touch was equally as good from the charity
be that Hill has yet to sit out a game.
stripe, as he posted the highest free-throw percent-
In a seemingly ironic twist, Hill has now been
age of his 13-year career (86.7%). In a high-octane
labeled Phoenix’s “Iron Man.” That’s right. The
offense that averaged 110 points a game, the ver-
36-year-old Grant Hill, who has battled injuries
satile forward took care of the ball with his low-
and illnesses his entire career, is the only player on
est turnover average (1.37) of his career. Hill was
his team’s 17-man roster to play in every game this
essential in helping the Suns to a 55-27 record and
season. Describing this achievement, Hill says, “I'm
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46
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