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After 19 seasons, Grant Hill is hanging up his sneakers.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkhzfPD4b1o[/youtube]

Although he ended his tenure here on a sour note, he brought excitement, class, and promise to a team that had been struggling to make the transition past the Bad Boys era. In his 6th and final season as a Piston, he had the best year of his career with 25.8 points on 48.9% shooting, 6.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 steals. He even indirectly set us up with a key championship piece by being a part of a sign and trade involving Ben Wallace.

What would have have been/done with out the ankle injury and botched surgery?

He gave the Pistons his best years, then wanted out. I have mixed feelings, because he was an absolute beast when he was in the D. But, he did leave, regardless of how his injury did play out.

Glad he was able to have some success towards the end up his career as a role player. He could be a nice personality for the color commentary. Seriously, TNT, we won't miss Reggie Miller.

Him wanting out had a lot to do with his wife, and I can't begrudge him too much for that. He was always a class act, and this is a business. It's unfortunate that we were on the short end of the deal, but it worked out for the best.

Can you imagine if Orlando had been able to pry Duncan away as well, to go along with a healthy G.Hill and a rising Tmac? They would have been Miami before Miami. Then you have the whole Shaq/Dwight to LAL and Penny lost to injury thing. Horrible luck (or mismanagement) for Orlando.

Anyway, props to Hill on a great career. He made enough money he could have hung them up a long time ago, after so many failed comebacks, but he persevered and re-invented himself after the loss of his athleticism. He was obviously never the same player again, but I'll always remember him fondly from his days in Detroit.

Grant Hill was really dead to me and should be to other Detroit fans after he slagged off Detroit once in Orlando.

Drwho17 wrote:Grant Hill was really dead to me and should be to other Detroit fans after he slagged off Detroit once in Orlando.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion... but I think I'll make my own mind up, thank you very much. And honestly man, it's an "appreciation" thread. Is it really necessary to come in here and make a post like that? Again, entitled to your opinion... but time and place.

I'm being a lil touchy here and apologize, but this sorta thing simply rubs me the wrong way. Hill has won the Sportsmanship award on several occasions. Let's talk about that.

Hill was the reason i started following the Pistons back in the day.
He was an amazing player back in the day and it was sad to see how the injury ruined his career and how it ended with the clippers
I wish he went to the spurs this season.

Nothing to appreciate about an underachiever who left this organization left for dead.

Nothing to appreciate about an underachiever who left this organization left for dead.



he HAS to enter the HOF as a Piston though, right? How could you make a case for any other team?

The only way Hill gets into the HoF is if he buys a ticket.

The_Irony wrote:Nothing to appreciate about an underachiever who left this organization left for dead.

Concur, mostly. Jeff Moss sums up my thoughts pretty accurately:

http://detroitsportsrag.net/just-another-leyland-loss/

It did work out well for the PIstons that he left, but he shouldn't be celebrated for that.

Lol at people still being bitter 13 years later....

One of my favorite players ever, kept me followqing the Pistons during the horrible teal era.

My feelings on Grant Hill, with Detroit, with Orlando, and closing out his career.

With Detroit, he did make us exciting to watch. He played hard, played like the star he was, and even played through some of his ankle issues which probably made them much worse. Props for what he did here.

As for the Orlando experience, he had legit reasons for moving on, and he's allowed to do that. He was a free agent. Just like Detroit has the right to sign a free agent or to pass on them, Hill certainly has the same, so no hating on this part. And as it turns out, we get Ben out of the deal, and Hill's ankle is trashed, so we really lucked out.

And lastly, for the last few years when he was able to play again, not to his previous level, but at least as a legit contributor, was nice to see. I hate to see legit stars crippled by injuries and at least he got to go out playing the game.

So in summary, great career which could have been superstar career if not for the injuries, and overall, positive experience from a Detroit perspective. And it certainly seems like TV is waiting for him if he chooses to do so.

I thank Grant Hill for leaving to allow the Pistons to move to the next level on their way to championships!!!

Maybe Joe signs him this offseason to one of those 1-day contracts so he can officially retire as a Piston.

Would be Joe's best signing since McDyess.

^^ HELLLL no

They never put a team around Grant when he was here. Therefore we never got to see him lead a team to a deep playoff run. Also wasn't appreciated here in the Detroit area and still isn't. Much more appreciated outside the D by the media. A great rare talent who could do it all!

Props to The Irony and JD for being the least informed about the Hall of Fame. Grant Hill will certainly be in the Hall on the strength of his greatness early in his NBA career in addition to his college career since its the BASKETBALL Hall of Fame. This ain't baseball, you don't go in as a member of a certain team.

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DetroitSho wrote:Props to The Irony and JD for being the least informed about the Hall of Fame. Grant Hill will certainly be in the Hall on the strength of his greatness early in his NBA career in addition to his college career since its the BASKETBALL Hall of Fame. This ain't baseball, you don't go in as a member of a certain team.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using RealGM Forums mobile app

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