Saturday’s results: Houston Rockets’ Jordan Hill lights up Tucson Summer Pro League Former Arizona Wildcat Jordan Hill put on a show Saturday at the Tucson Summer Pro League. Hill, the eighth pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, played in two games at Northwest Center, scoring a combined 47 points and 24 rebounds. The 6-10 forward recently completed his first full season with the Houston Rockets, averaging 5.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in an average of 15.6 minutes per game. In his first game Saturday, he had 25 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in a losing effort as Truly Nolen defeated Crest Insurance 71-65. Mark Fresby had 19 points and nine rebounds for Truly Nolen. Carlos Mendez added 18 points for Crest. Hill later played for Sol Casinos, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 58-50 victory over DC’s Barber Shop. Hill could have bigger numbers, but he sat out for a while in a show of sportsmanship when DC’s big man, 31-year-old Anthony Oates (who played at UMass), was out with an injury. Mike Biancuzzo scored 12 points for Sol Casinos, and Donte Williams added 11. Guillermo Bay and Oates led DC’s Barber Shop with 11 points each. Hill told Dave Cooney of KOLD Channel 13 that he will spend time later this summer in San Diego, working out with former Arizona teammate and current Rockets teammate Chase Budinger. “I plan on going out for six weeks and having some fun with him and his trainer,” Hill said. Elsewhere in the TSPL on Saturday, Arizona Wildcats senior guard Brendon Lavender scored a game-high 32 points to lead Pinnacle Restoration over Asarco 70-58. Christopher Johnson added 16 points and nine rebounds for Pinnacle. Jeremy Harden scored 16 for Asarco. Bree Waters (20 points, eight rebounds) led Powerade to a 64-53 victory over Ace Hardware. Nic McHenry had 10 points for Powerade, which also got 12 rebounds from Wyndell Townsend. Tavaughn Nivins led Ace with 20 points and 10 boards. Former Arizona player Derrick Williams — the No. 2 pick in this year’s NBA Draft — had indicated to league officials that he might play Saturday, although he did not show up. The TSPL, in its eighth season, is an NCAA sanctioned league, available to collegiate players and high school players, showcasing the area’s basketball talent. The league is run by former Arizona Wildcat Corey Williams. Games are played at Northwest Center (2160 N. 6th Ave). For the schedule and more information, visit: http://www.tucsonspl.com/ *Information provided by the Tucson Summer Pro League. http://tucsoncitizen.com/tucson-sum...rdan-hill-lights-up-tucson-summer-pro-league/
I am really hoping that they don't trade him right. At least let us get a chance to see if he can contribute on a regular basis. I am hoping that he can at least average 12-15 points and double figure rebounding. He has already shown flashes of wanting to play defense.
I am sure that Hill will be in somebody's rotation, but we need to trade a couple of PFs, unless Hill can play C. I think it would take McHale a week to figure out if he can do so.
Agreed. The guy has some serious leaches in his family. If he adds 15 pounds of muscle and Mchale can get him to go all out the entire game he is our answer at starting center. I can see 13.5 points and like 9.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game.
I think the best case scenario for him is around 14ppg and 8rpg, which is by no means bad. I just hope he can get around there... PP however I can see being a 18-22ppg and 9-10rpg sorta guy with an incredible FG%
Ive always liked Hill's potential, no mztter how dumb some people try to paint him here, he has good offensive skills and is alreay a very good man on man defender. BUT, I think he needs to have a nurturing figure in order to fully overcome his glaring weaknesses (defensive awareness, lack of consistency, lack of confidence) and Im not too sure th Rockets are going to provide that, speacially with the glut of PFs we have. To tell you the truth, I cringed at reading these articles about him, they make him seem to me like he is aloof, he is like a lost puppy in the highway, he is not going to make unless a mentor carries him under his wing.
I agree. He's got the tools and skill set....he's got to have more desire, determination, and drive. On and off the court.
If we are going to talk about a best case scenario here, Hill beleive it or not has a better offensive repertoire right now and combined with his slightly better physical abilities (with brains being a completely different story) Hill has as much if not better potential there. Before you start, PatPat didnt show one go to move in the post last season, I saw him struggling there, my concern with him is that he doesnt have the quickness as a Landry did (This being forecasted by Morey after drafting him) nor was he able to overpower his defender in the way to an easy basket, while Jordan has shown flashes of being able to leave his defender in the dust and at least has his little jump hook as a viable go to move down low. With what he has shown I dont see Patterson averaging 18-22, would I bet on him instead of Jordan Hill? Of course, but in the unlikeliness of their best case scenarios Hill has a higher ceiling.
glad to see hill playing in some sort of league but wish he was playing at fonde, rucker or the men's gym at UCLA where nba athletes play games over the summer instead of guys never even heard of or current college students...you are going to get better but going up against guys just as good and better than you not guys that are not as good as you
People give up on players too quickly around here, the guy had personal problems was shuffled around the league in his rookie year, and had inconsistent playing time. Not to mention he started playing basketball late. Sometimes big men take longer, he and Lowry and Chase all work the PnR very well, players break out in their 3rd year, this may be his time. Got to let some players grow into their games, and it seems Morey has amassed a ton of them in their 3rd years hoping that one grows up just in time. Smart move, IMO. DD
Yeah, and guys that would toughen you up, perhaps even teach you something. Certainly agree, The_Yoyo.
I disagree, PPat might have some of the most fundamental footwork in the LEAGUE. I absolutely think that his up and under is ELITE. Jordan Hill has nothing except an akward spinning hook. Look at some film, many times Hill makes his shot more difficult by having to do a spinning right jump baby hook. He can't he time out his steps properly to convert transition dunks. Seriously, PPat is the closest thing to Adur- Rahim I've seen. While Shareef was no Superstar, he was an All Star.
I'm hoping for Jordan Hill to pan out, but I watched Mike Harris tear up the Houston Pro Summer league a few times. Just sayin.
Hill has a lot of potential... He was drafted as high as he was based on his pure potential. He's got all the tools to excel. Last season he regressed. And there was the issue that he was dealing with personal problems. But this should be his make or break season. He's already a rotation player in the NBA. But can he establish himself as a key contributor? Now that is the question that Jordan Hill needs to answer on the court.
