Woj: George Hill traded to Pacers

[co_laper]

I really like the trade.

The thing I love about George was the improvement he made from his first year to second year. I especially love how he has stepped up when one of our big three gets injured. It shows that he can do more than expected.

Problem is, he didn't exactly improve much this past year. And while he steps up when someone is injured, he doesn't really step up when everyone is healthy. It's not like we didn't need him to. We needed him to be that sparkplug off the bench. Instead, Gary Neal turned out to be that guy.

As far as his game, it's really hard to judge. I think George Hill was just too average in a lot of his skills.

He's a combo guard obviously. He's better when he's playing with a scoring mindset than as a playmaker, proving that he's probably more of a SG than a PG. At the same time, he's too short to be a fulltime SG.

His shooting is inconsistent. The only place he can make the 3 consistently is at the corner. The only place he can shoot the midrange jumper consistently is at the top of the key. Everywhere else, he's inconsistent.

Defensively I think he's better suited to guard PGs, but at the same time I can't really recall him shutting down PGs. His defense IMO is getting a little overrated. He's perhaps the best perimeter defensive player on a team that used to be good defensively but is flat out average right now. Is Hill better defensively than Parker, Neal, RJ, Quinn, and Anderson? Yes. But that's more because the names I listed really isn't a very good defensive player. Not because Hill is the Glove.

In Indiana, I can't really see Hill taking Collison's spot as a primary PG. Hill hasn't shown enough playmaking skills for any of us to say he can be a full time PG. Not yet anyways. He'll probably have a similar role there like he did here. Come off the bench to get 25 minutes or so playing both backup PG and SG.

[Donald Kaufman]

I liked him defensively, he's got that crazy wingspan which certainly helps. He won't back down from anyone, he'll body up Kobe Bryant just as aggressively as he will Eddie House.

Is Collison really that much better than Hill? I think he could steal some minutes off him, whether he starts or not is another story. But he should see plenty of time at the 2 anyway.

He's a confidence guy, and I found him a bit tentative at times, esp when we needed him the most. As mentioned, he was meant to provide that spark off the bench, a role that the undrafted Neal filled so much better for us.

I loved him overall as a player though, and it's a shame to see him go so early into his career. Hope he kicks ass as a Pacer.

[Blame Rasho]

Well I like that we got someone to steal mins from Jefferson... look at it like that...

We need a defender who can rebound... we got it...

Now we need to find a way to get bigs...

[Batu7]

It's interesting that no one said anything about Erazem Lorbek. If he decides to come over, he might be great for you guys off the bench.

[Nolan]

I did some research on Lorbek, doesn't really sound like he'll ever play in the league.

[Frankie23]

Well, George Hill wasn't a good point guard. His pick and roll offense was bad and his lidership at the point was not as good as expected. Though he was a good shooter (corner 3s were money) and a good finisher and pretty decent defense.
So, with Manu, Neal and the develop of Anderson, the SG position is well covered. Adding a SF with good defense, rebounding and athletism is a good call for the Spurs.
I don't know about the second round picks, but they don't sound to be interesting for the moment.
It will be a major test for the rookie Joseph as the back up PG, but to play small minutes is not that terrible. Also, Quinn wasn't THAT bad last year and having an experienced back up PG is what Pop likes..
I like the trade. Hill was excellent, but not what we needed (a PG). Him being a FA next year would've cost the Spurs a lot of money or even losing him.. so a trade for the 15th pick is quite good.

[Donald Kaufman]

He's a much better point than Neal, that's for sure. I cringe every time Neal handles the rock.

[co_laper]

Yes but it's not likely the Spurs use Neal as a point guard. When Tony or Manu is on the floor, they're the playmakers. And if they're not on the floor, the PGs will handle the ball. I can't imagine the Spurs using a Neal lineup that features no PG/Tony/Manu and force him as a PG. That would be something like a Neal, Anderson, Leonard lineup or something.

[Donald Kaufman]

They can play him at the 5 for all I care, as long as he doesn't dribble the ball I'm all good.