Grant Hill - Hall of Famer?
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Hall of Fame Consideration for Mr. Nice Guy.
My first memories watching Grant Hill was back in 1991, as a very young and talented member of the Duke Blue Devils.
Duke was the team you loved to hate, but Hill was a special talent who you just knew would be an even better pro than he was college baller. When the Pistons drafted him in 1994, it marked a new era in Motown, and the re-branding of a franchise.
The Bad Boys era was done, and as Michael Jordan had just stepped away from the game the first time after the Bulls three-peat, the Pistons had their new face.
Mr. Nice Guy, as I referred to him even then, was in town. Hill had a squeaky clean background to go with a flawless game. At 6′8", he could play the shooting guard or small forward spot, and be a match-up problem for any team in the league.
Hill exploded in his rookie, year, where he averaged 20 points, six boards and five assists a game on his way to sharing the rookie of the year with Jason Kidd.
Hill’s popularity was immediate, as he landed endorsement deals off the court with the likes of Fila and Sprite, and he was one dubbed by many to be one of the players to take Jordan’s place at the time (along with Penny Hardaway and later Jerry Stackhouse).
Unfortunately for Grant, injuries would play a major part in derailing a promising career.
After the 1999-00 season, Grant Hill and Detroit were both ready to go in a different direction. The Magic welcomed Grant with open arms, and exchanged Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace for the All-Star.
Looking back, that looked like a one sided deal back then, but the Pistons wound up winning a title and went to the Finals twice due to Ben Wallace’s play.
Grant and young Tracy McGrady were supposed to be the new Jordan and Pippen in Disneyworld, but it didn’t quite work out that way.
Grant managed to play in only 18 games total in his first two seasons in Orlando, and missed the entire 2003-04 season due to injury. The outstanding numbers he put up in Detroit were far in the rear-view mirror for many fans, and eventually Hill’s run in Orlando would be labeled a disappointment.
In perhaps his final chapter as a pro, Hill currently is playing with the Phoenix Suns, where he is meshing well with Shaq, Steve Nash and company.
The promise and optimism that surrounded Hill when he arrived in the league 14-years ago is gone, and even if he does win a NBA title this season, Grant will come up just short of a Hall of Fame career.
My ballot will simply read, “Grant Hill - What could’ve been."
Other Hall of Fame votes
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about 1 month ago
Some will try and make the Walton comparison. But Walton had a ring and an MVP on his resume. Hill was a complete player and model citizen.
The only thing keeping him out of the HOF is the samething that kept him off the court. Injuries.
about 1 month ago
I like Grant personally, but when it is all said and done, the injury bug got the best years of his career.
about 1 month ago
D.Michael, great question, great article. I don't know if Grant should be in the Hall, I feel like he should because he was so good, so early, and he is an all around good guy. So it is hard to hate on him, but push come to shove I think your right, the injury bug got him and kept him out of the hall and possibly making a serious run at a championship with him as the go to guy. Really a great article.
about 1 month ago
Thanks alot Dave for the comment
about 1 month ago
One of them guys you really really hope gets a ring before they go
about 1 month ago
Hill would have become a HOFer, if not for the injuries.
about 1 month ago
Very good read, D. Grant will probably get on the ballot and even garner some votes, but it won't be nearly enough. Other players who will likely retire around the same time Hill does will overshadow what Grant achieved. Here I'm thinking about players like Shaq, Nash, and Kidd (seems like I'm forgetting someone...). He'll have way too much competition for votes.
about 1 month ago
Would Grant get more consideration if he wins a title?
from about 1 month ago
Michael,
I still doubt that Grant would in the HOF even if he wins a ring in Phoenix. Injuries has taken away his best years from him. He showed lots of promise as a young guard and is played his role great off the beach with the Suns. But whats going to keep him out of the HOF was all those missed games with Orlando. Now, if Phoenix can win two or three rings very soon (highly doubtful), then this conversation can open up again.
about 1 month ago
Hill was one of the true great and nice basektball players ever. He would've been a lock to make the Hall had it not been for injuries, but when it is all said he won't make it. If he had a championship that would help him a lot but that isn't going to happen as the Suns have no chance to win it all this year and he is likely to retire after the season. Overall, he was a great player and guy, but had no luck.
about 1 month ago
Grant Hill is one of my favorite non-Lakers, he is (was) so incredibly talented for a generation crying out for the next Jordan back in the mid-nineties
fast forward a decade, his resume is still pretty bare. It's a waste but I don't think winning a title will change that. Dirk probably won't win a title (sorry Doug :p) but he will still be going to HOF, for Grant, it's just that he has spent too much time in rehab to put together a strong case for HOF.
about 1 month ago
I am surprised àt th early returns on this poll
about 1 month ago
Because of the way the Basketball HOF works, I think Hill will get in eventually. It is not just for a players' NBA career, but also his college career in which Hill won two championships with Duke. Hill was also a 7 time All-Star. Hill may not be a first-ballot, but he should get in eventually.
from about 1 month ago
He gets in to the College Hall. Not NBA Hall.
What he did At Dooooook.... uhhgg.... anyways... what he did in college was just short of spectacular. I have the dubious non pleasure of living right down the road from Duke, and when he played, was when My Beloved WildCats were awesom, until Hill Passed to Laettner and... we know the rest...
Ok, on the real though. Grant Hill should make it to the HOF from College, and maybe all around, but not the NBA Only.
I think in Basketball there are 3 HOF's.
about 1 month ago
Put him on the all nice guy team. Unfortunately with all the injuries, I think it's hard to make a case for him in the HOF.
about 1 month ago
If there is an Injured Reserve Hall of Fame then Hill will get in for sure. Otherwise, ...are you kidding me? They might not even let him visit the Hall (paid ticket and all).
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