p0nder
Starter
Hill's Game is on the Rise
Rookie Jordan Hill has been in the rotation over the previous two games and he continues to impress the two men responsible for selecting him with the sixth overall pick in last June?s NBA Draft.
?I think that when he?s had an opportunity to play he?s played very well,? Knicks president Donnie Walsh said after Wednesday?s practice. ?He?s had an opportunity to play in the last two games and I thought he gave a good account of himself. It doesn?t surprise me because I watch him working out and I?ve seen what he?s done.
?He?s a very good athlete, he?s very active around the basket and he has good low-post moves. But what has surprised me is how he has extended his shooting range. In college, he shot in the lane a lot and he was a good shooter. Now, he?s shooting further out and he shows a lot of confidence in the way he?s playing.
?He?s going to make a mistake because he?s a rookie and he?s going to have to learn how to go in there against guys with big bodies and be able to rebound the ball. But every rookie has to learn that. I was happy to see him get the time and he played well so maybe he?ll earn more time.?
Hill averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds during last weekend?s home-and-home set against the Detroit Pistons after playing in just 12 of the first 39 games this season.
Coach Mike D?Antoni believes the 6-foot-10 forward has finally earned some spot minutes and could increase Hill?s playing time if he continues to improve each day in practice and games.
?He?ll be in and out and play five minutes here and five minutes there, but we?ll see,? D?Antoni said. ?If he keeps improving and keeps doing well, obviously his minutes will improve also.
?His intensity of doing things is a lot better and that?s the main thing. He?s slowing his game down a little bit on offense and he?s showing he can shoot. So now it?s just a matter of getting some quality time, which he will and has been, as long as everything keeps going pretty well. But it?s been positive for sure.?
I watched those games and Hill has been vastly improved and is bringing intensity (something the Knicks need). I think this is pretty positive for everyone and we should see more minutes for Hill going forward!
:gony:
Rookie Jordan Hill has been in the rotation over the previous two games and he continues to impress the two men responsible for selecting him with the sixth overall pick in last June?s NBA Draft.
?I think that when he?s had an opportunity to play he?s played very well,? Knicks president Donnie Walsh said after Wednesday?s practice. ?He?s had an opportunity to play in the last two games and I thought he gave a good account of himself. It doesn?t surprise me because I watch him working out and I?ve seen what he?s done.
?He?s a very good athlete, he?s very active around the basket and he has good low-post moves. But what has surprised me is how he has extended his shooting range. In college, he shot in the lane a lot and he was a good shooter. Now, he?s shooting further out and he shows a lot of confidence in the way he?s playing.
?He?s going to make a mistake because he?s a rookie and he?s going to have to learn how to go in there against guys with big bodies and be able to rebound the ball. But every rookie has to learn that. I was happy to see him get the time and he played well so maybe he?ll earn more time.?
Hill averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds during last weekend?s home-and-home set against the Detroit Pistons after playing in just 12 of the first 39 games this season.
Coach Mike D?Antoni believes the 6-foot-10 forward has finally earned some spot minutes and could increase Hill?s playing time if he continues to improve each day in practice and games.
?He?ll be in and out and play five minutes here and five minutes there, but we?ll see,? D?Antoni said. ?If he keeps improving and keeps doing well, obviously his minutes will improve also.
?His intensity of doing things is a lot better and that?s the main thing. He?s slowing his game down a little bit on offense and he?s showing he can shoot. So now it?s just a matter of getting some quality time, which he will and has been, as long as everything keeps going pretty well. But it?s been positive for sure.?
I watched those games and Hill has been vastly improved and is bringing intensity (something the Knicks need). I think this is pretty positive for everyone and we should see more minutes for Hill going forward!
:gony:
