On July 1st, 2007 Grant Hill became a free agent. After his 7-year $93 million contract with the Orlando Magic expired, Hill was said to be considering retirement or returning to the Magic. Seven years spent fighting injuries and healing from surgeries, Hill decided to end his career on a different note and signed a 2-year deal with the Phoenix Suns worth around $1.8 million the first year with a second year player option for approximately $2 million.
According to his agent, Lon Babby, the 34-year old forward was romanced by several other teams which included more money. However, after 7 NBA All-Star teams and 2 NCAA Championships, Hill is hungry for a NBA title. "There's no question he could've gotten considerably more money elsewhere, but that was not the principle," Babby said. "I think the most important factor for him was the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a team competing for the championship."
Hill has been one of the best all-around players of his generation. But toward the end his time in the league has been hampered with career threatening injuries. With the Suns, Hill has a chance to return to greatness by joining two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and All-Star Amare Stoudemire.
Hill’s career is full of accolades including Rookie of the Year and an Olympic Gold Medal. He and Wilt Chamberlain are the only 2 players in NBA history to lead their teams three times in scoring, rebounding and assists per game. Hill joined the Magic in 2000 in what appeared to be a deal that greatly favored Orlando. But ankle injuries would sideline Hill playing in only 4 games his first season, 14, his 2nd and 29 his 3rd. He ended up having to sit out the entire 4th season and underwent major surgery in 2003.
During the 2004-05 season, Grant played in 67 games for the Magic and was named the Eastern Conference player of the week for the week of Nov. 15-21, 2004. During that season fans once again voted him a starter for the All-Stars where he led the Eastern Conference All-Star Team to victory over the West. That year, Hill was also awarded the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the NBA Sportsmanship Award Winner.
Orlando is no longer Grant Hill’s team; it is Dwight Howard’s team. With the Magic experiencing a “youth movement,” it was time for Hill to move on. His departure in no way effects whether or not Orlando takes the next step to becoming a playoff team. By going to the Suns he has increased his own chances of winning a NBA championship.
You cannot blame the guy for taking the huge contract offered to him in 2000. That is the fault of Orlando. Grant Hill could not help the injuries that plagued him during the duration of his Orlando stay. The move to Phoenix is in the best interest of a player who could possibly be on the down-side of his career. What does Hill owe Orlando? The answer is Nothing. The fact that they paid him a lot of money and he was really unable to earn it is just a part of professional sports. He does owe this move to himself and to the end of what was pre-Orlando, a great career. This in no way reflects on the man’s character. Grant Hill is and always has been a class act. Believe me, that is hard for a WildCat fan to say about a former Dukie!
If Florida fans have anything to be sore about it should be the fact they let Shaq get away. These fans are supposedly forgiving; at least that is what was said after the Billy Donovan/Magic incident. I guess their true colors will be seen when Hill steps on the Orlando court in a Sun’s uniform. Personally, I hope he can end his career with an NBA championship. This feat just could not have happened for him had he stayed with the Magic. Besides that, I think the Orlando Magic will be just fine without Grant Hill.
So begins a series that should prove to be fun. I will be participating in “He said, She Said” with ReverendRhythm and I can not think of a better person to debate with. This has been my “She Said.” Be sure and check out the Rev’s “He Said.” While I am sure most of you will side with me….do try and be nice ;)
2) Orlando was never really Grant Hill's team. Although management may have intended it to be that way, Tracy McGrady took over immediately. He may have even if Grant had been healthy.
3) Don't get me wrong. I'm not blaming Hill for accepting his original offer from Orlando. In fact, I'm not assessing any blame at all.
What I am saying is that Hill should have at least weighed his options. Orlando, with Hill, would have been a contender in the Eastern Conference. Despite Phoenix's elite Western status, his role on that team remains to be seen.
Is it possible that Hill didn't want to lead a younger Magic team to the next level? Is it is possible that he didn't feel he had the respect of that team after milking Orlando for that contract?
3. Is it possible that with his injuries the way they have been that he felt he had a much better chance with the Suns. It is a no-brainer. Orlando is still years away he doesn't have the time to wait. If he can play for the Suns next year that is icing on the cake, if not it won't effect them. The Suns got him for leadership which was a good move.
believe me dehbashi....it isn't easy taking his side! Like I told rev, I am still pissed at the pass he made to laettner in the '92 Duke/KY game....lmao
I have no respect for Grant Hill, I think Orlando is a up and comer, I think they will do damage with or without Hill, just alot of money throw away and now he's healthy and moves on, just #### thats all, the new picture is pretty cute!
I do respect Hill. You are right Orlando is up and coming but the key word is coming. Hill doesn't have the time for them to mature. His time is almost over. Business is business...he made the right move for him. Orlando just doesn't have a good track record for holding onto talent. Hopefully that will improve.
Rev, of course Hill is a good leader. You can't erase the man's history because you don't like the move he made. Does this mean you don't respect BD anymore or he is no longer considered a leader?
One has to look at the entire picture. It is too bad injuries plagued Hill while at Orlando. This doesn't erase the fact he was and still could be a top notch player, a class act and a leader in the NBA community.
I do see what you are saying. Orlando paid him big bucks so he should spend his remaining years with them. Kind of "paying them back" for not being able to play for the pay. But Hill is very close to retirement. He wants the best chance at a championship and the Magic are still too far away from the ring.
I think he made the right choice for him and I wish him well in his quest. Orlando will be just fine.
Orlando relied on Hill to be their primary perimeter scorer last year. He wasn't up to the task.
With the addition of Lewis, Orlando will be a contender in the Eastern Conference next year and would only need Hill to fit in and lead when necessary. The problem is, with his injuries, he was never able to command the leadership the team demanded of him.
Honestly, I think there was bad blood and resentment for Hill among Magic fans and he must have felt that. While staying in Orlando may have been the "right" thing to do, Orlando wasn't the right fit.
He certainly left wealthier than he came.
I'm only upset that the surcharges I paid for all those Jack and Cokes at Magic games just paid for his last electric bill.
There was probably bad blood but I find that confusing since it was the Magic that made the offer to Hill. I would have taken it! I still say Orlando is a couple years away and Hill is on the downside of his career. I really like the guy. I think he is the only one from Duke I ever respected...lol I wonder if Hill was disgusted with himself and his injuries. Great players expect great things from themselves even when their bodies won't cooperate. I hope the move reignites his confidence.
Damn Rev...how many jack and cokes did ya drink?? If I make it to FL when UK and FL plays, you and Frank will have buy me long island teas as we do the show!!
On that note, I'd hereby like to congratulate Grant Hill as becoming the highest paid PER GAME PLAYER THAT EVER PLAYED IN A SINGLE UNIFORM to grace an NBA court.
I challenge anyone to come up with an NBA player that pocketed nearly a HALF A MIL per game played for the length of his contract.
vearl....don't hate on the man because he did what was right for him. Remember, he didn't write the contract, Orlando did!! No one has more reason to hate Hill than me and I really do like the guy.
rofl....you are gonna eat those words this BB season and I am gonna feed them to you!!
As for FB, I am looking forward to this season. 2 of the best college QBs are playing in the state of KY. UK's and Louisville's. But I said it before and will again....We could have a much better season this year and NOT win as many games as last year.
i made a comment on revs blog so gotta do one here it's only fair lol .. and try not to contradict myself .. i can se bg's point of view just like i could see revs in this buinsess in the nba business if youre not in it to try and win a title or a ring then youre in the wrong business thats the goal of all 29 nba teams .. although it's sad to see hill take the gary payton route thats just the way it go's .. at the end of the day some nba players just need a ring to validate their career .. although many greats .. ewing .. stockton .. malone .. nique .. barkley .. the dream .. had great careers without one .. of course a guy who wore # 23 in black and red had a little somethin to do with that but ya get my point lol .. i guess hill is one of those types of players
GR8, I don't have a problem with Hill trying to jump to a contender to earn a ring like Payton, Drexler and the like. What I DO have a problem with is the fact that Orlando paid him that much and he left them empty handed.
Drexler and Payton will forever go down as heroes in Portland and Seattle. After pouring their hearts out for years, no fan could fault them for leaving. Portland and Seattle may very well retire their numbers.
Hill never gave that on-floor effort to Orlando fans. And trust me. He got paid much more than Payton and Drexler.
Thank you GR8...I didn't want to have to pull a Kentucky whoopin on yo butt! ;)
I don't think Hill leaving Orlando in any way makes him a bdad person. It doesn't erase the fact he has been so classy all these years. Remember, his luck during his years with the Magic was BAD!! Money can't change that. He needed a change before his career was finished. He made the right choice and his leaving didn't really hurt Orlando. They are a team of youth now and need time to grow. He doesn't have the time to wait. I'm sure he can face himself in the mirror just fine....and I bet it is one hell of an expensive mirror too!! ;)
rev lol its not like orl had a crystal ball and could see what was gonna happen .. every team that signs a player takes a risk of that player going down with injuries .. thats what insurance is for .. so they dont have to take on all of that big contract i agree a little loyality would be nice but hill felt that orlando wasnt goin in the direction that he wanted to go anymore .. fair or not in most players eyes winning a ring trumps loyality every time
Hill did what he could to try to get better to give his best to Orlando...including surgery. You can't help it if your body won't answer when you call.
"During the 2004-05 season, Grant played in 67 games for the Magic and was named the Eastern Conference player of the week for the week of Nov. 15-21, 2004. During that season fans once again voted him a starter for the All-Stars where he led the Eastern Conference All-Star Team to victory over the West. That year, Hill was also awarded the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the NBA Sportsmanship Award Winner."
I copied that from my piece. It looked like the fans believed in him then and Hill gave what he had. That's all a person can do. What should he have done? Give the money back?
Hill had 3 choices...
1. Retire
2. Go back to Orlando where his luck ran BAD
or 3. Try to see if he could finish his career on an "up" note by going elsewhere.
I don't think he owed Orlando any more loyalty. He had sacraficed his body. Now his loyalty is to himself and to try to retire with some dignity. Maybe the move will do it and maybe not but he had to find out!
lol when its done .. ha ha just cause you got nice eyes dont mean i'm lettin the secret out c'mon now ..lets just say it will be cool and you will more then likely like it
Hey All! I am a sports nut....especi ally college hoops!! You have to be if you are from Kentucky. Basketball is a religion here in The Blue Grass. We love our WildCats and can be tough on them at times. However, you will never find more loyal or passionate fans! I am a Steeler fan, I am a Reds fan but, I am a WildCat!!
BLEED BLUE!!
contract with the Orlando Magic expired, Hill was said to be considering retirement or returning to the Magic. Seven years spent fighting injuries and healing from surgeries, Hill decided to end his career on a different note and signed a 2-year deal with the Phoenix Suns worth around $1.8 million the first year with a second year player option for approximately $2 million.
several other teams which included more money. However, after 7 NBA All-Star teams and 2 NCAA Championships, Hill is hungry for a NBA title. "There's no question he could've gotten considerably more money elsewhere, but that was not the principle," Babby said. "I think the most important factor for him was the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a team competing for the championship." 
named the Eastern Conference player of the week for the week of Nov. 15-21, 2004. During that season fans once again voted him a starter for the All-Stars where he led the Eastern Conference All-Star Team to victory over the West. That year, Hill was also awarded the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the NBA Sportsmanship Award Winner.
the duration of his Orlando stay. The move to Phoenix is in the best interest of a player who could possibly be on the down-side of his career. What does Hill owe Orlando? The answer is Nothing. The fact that they paid him a lot of money and he was really unable to earn it is just a part of professional sports. He does owe this move to himself and to the end of what was pre-Orlando, a great career. This in no way reflects on the man’s character. Grant Hill is and always has been a class act. Believe me, that is hard for a WildCat fan to say about a former Dukie!
