proud. I had a period when I didn't know whether I hear that stuff: I'm going to beat them downcourt
I would ever play again, and I had to get through every time."
those years where you begin to doubt yourself. To And every game so far this season, Hill has
get back has taken a lot of hard work. I've put my shown his ability to out-pace the younger talent
time in.” in the league and beat them down the court on a
All of his time spent working hard to return to fast break. Each night he defends athletic guards
form is now paying dividends for the both Hill and forwards, sometimes 10-15 years younger, and
and the Suns. An essential cog in the Sun’s offense consistently shuts them down. After 13 successful
and defense, Hill continues to run the court with years in the league, seven All-Star appearances, and
the fervor of the 18 year-old in Cameron Indoor four All-NBA selections, the Duke legend contin-
Stadium. The three-time Blue Devil All-American ues to play with the passion and determination of
laughs off comments from opponents such as “I a rookie. And whenever Hill finally does decide
had your shoes when I was in seventh grade,” or, to shut it down, the $128 million in salary he has
“I didn’t know you had gray hair!” Whether they earned over the course of his career will give him
are insults or genuine shows of respect, Hill treats it some nice retirement options in the Grand Canyon
all the same way. “I know what I'm thinking when State.
•
NBA THOUGHTS FROM THE BLUE DEVILS
NOLAN SMITH ELLIOT WILLIAMS
Eastern Conference Champ: Boston Celtics Eastern Conference Champ: Celtics
Western Conference Champ: Los Angeles Lakers Western Conference Champ: Lakers
NBA Champion: Lakers with a healthy Andrew Bynum NBA Champion: Probably Lakers
MVP: Kobe Bryant MVP: LeBron
Surprise Team That Could Make a Run: Denver Surprise Team That Could Make a Run: Denver
Rookie of the Year: Michael Beasley! Rookie of the Year: D. Rose
NBA's Best Blue Devil: Grant Hill NBA Duke Player I'm Most Impressed With: Grant Hill
Favorite Player to Watch: Chris Paul and Chris Duhon Favorite Player to Watch: Carmelo Anthony
•
Best Uniforms: Golden State Warriors Best Uniforms: Old-school Denver Nuggests
Best Dunk-Contest Dunker: Dwight Howard Best Dunker: LeBron
Best In-Game Dunker: J.R. Smith Most Improved Player: Danny Granger
NBA Arena I’d Most Like to Play In: Staples Center NBA Arena I’d Most Like to Play In: Staples Center
Best NBA Shooter: Ray Allen Dream Starting Five: LeBron, Kobe, Dwight Howard,
Kevin Garnett and me
Dream Starting Five: Chris Paul at the 1, me at the 2,
LeBron at the 3, Dwight Howard at the 4 and Shaq at the
5. Shaq has been hoopin.'
March 2009 47
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