Pulling himself up off the deck after taking a charge is nothing new to Grant Hill. Doing it multiple times in the Suns’ first full-contact session at training camp is another matter.

Still, that sums up the competitive spirit of the 16-year veteran, a spirit that is by no means tamed, even in intra-squad scrimmages.

“With the season around the corner, it’s important to play all out,” Hill explained.”You want to show up and work hard. And that’s what we’ve done. Coach (Alvin) Gentry has acknowledged that and said guys have worked hard and haven’t complained about it. We’ve come out and handled business. We’re trying to improve on some things, but so far the effort has been great. That’s the important thing. As long as you have great effort, you can always get better and camp will be productive. You want to get off on the right note.”

That sentiment is shared by teammate Steve Nash, who has certainly appreciated the Duke alum’s contributions to the Suns over the last two years.

“Grant is fantastic,” the point guard said. “He’s such a great professional and a terrific player, but he’s also a smart teammate. He has all the intangibles, let alone his obvious skills. The fact he has overcome so much in his career, he is one of my all-time favorite teammates.”

Hill escaped the injury bug last season, playing in a team-high 82 games, before re-signing with the club over the summer.

“Going through a tough season here last year made me want to stay even more,” Hill said. “We as players bonded. We didn’t get to the playoffs and it certainly wasn’t a Hollywood story at the end, but coming together will hopefully help us this season. For me, this just feels right, and I’m glad I did come back.”

As for the rest of the team trying to match Hill’s level of intensity this early in the preseason, it’s a safe bet that will occur sooner rather than later.

“Alvin and the rest of the coaching staff,” he continued, “they have a good feel for what we need, knowing when to let up a little bit. It’s a fine line. You want to get things done and accomplish as much as you can. You don’t want to kill people out here. It’s hard to be subjective since I’m one of those running around here, but I like the three days of two-a-days. Preseason is next week, so we’ll have to see when we throw it up for real.

“Our offseason is officially over. 2009-10 has started.”

Amid a chilly start to their first day of training camp in Southern California, the Suns certainly wasted little time working up a sweat.

Phoenix took to the University of San Diego’s Jenny Craig Pavilion for two practices Tuesday, which featured a little bit of everything, including plenty of running, shooting, instruction, weightlifting, stretching, drills and even a little five-on-five action.

“It’s practice, back to the hotel and practice,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.” It’s a beautiful setting, but it is training camp. It’s work. Training camp used to be even tougher. It’s still tough for the players. The first few days, your body has to adjust. Even though they’ve been training the last couple of months, it’s not the same. Your body goes through shock, but it responds. The guys will be fine.”

Running his first Suns training camp as head coach, Alvin Gentry is grateful to have returning veterans like Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Amar’e Stoudemire to help him and his coaching staff show the younger players and offseason acquisitions the proverbial ropes.

“They know we have a purpose to work hard,” Gentry said. “Steve, Grant and Amar’e have played this way four out of the last five years. Some of the things we’ve put back in the offense will just come naturally to them. I don’t see it as a learning curve. Just getting into basketball shape will take care of it.”

League rules mandate only one contact session per day, so while the morning session was comprised mostly of instructional drills, the evening became a bit more heated, competitively, of course.

“The morning, there is no contact,” Gentry continued, “so we do a lot of teaching and covering the basics. At night, we’ll come back and ‘put on the pads,’ as they say. We only have a few days to get ready to play a basketball game.”

With an intra-squad scrimmage slated for Saturday afternoon at the facility, not to mention exhibition games vs. Partizan Belgrade, Golden State and Oklahoma City over the next two weeks, the Suns are looking forward to a productive, yet low-key camp.

Nash believes it’s a benefit heading into 2009-10 without the distractions that hovered over last season’s squad, namely “two coaching changes, a blockbuster trade and losing a teammate to injury.”

“Hopefully we can have a great training camp and continuity from there on out,” the point guard said. “We’ll be a much better team this year.

“San Diego is great for us. We’re pretty lucky guys to get to come to a great city and a beautiful part of the world. This is a great facility, too, so it should be a spectacular training camp for us.”

Hill added, “It is camp. It’s tough, but you count the days, count the practices and just try to get to Sunday. At the same time, you try and get a lot accomplished in a short period of time. Today was pretty productive. We have two-a-days, and less than a week from today, we’re playing our first preseason game so we need to make the most of our time. We go over a lot of things. The pace will be fast. Thankfully, a lot of guys have played for Alvin. The other guys will have to learn on the run, but we’re not here to hang out, have fun and enjoy the weather. We’re here to get something done, and today was a good first day.”

For those who aren’t exactly the reading type (books, not blogs), NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 2007 novel, “On the Shoulders of Giants,” is going the documentary route. 

The story of the 1939 Harlem Rens, an all-black New York basketball team who captured the sport’s first-ever championship, Abdul-Jabbar also traces the coinciding rise of Harlem, NY, as a cultural mecca – from athletes, musicians and thinkers whose courage foreshadowed the civil rights movement.

Celebrity and athlete interviews for the documentary include Bill Russell, Clyde Drexler, Jerry West, Julius Erving, Samuel L. Jackson and most recently Suns assistant coach Bill Cartwright and seven-time All-Star Grant Hill. On Friday, the Phoenix duo filmed their thoughts on the impact of the Rens, as well as the importance of sharing little-known stories of such important historical and cultural value.

“The Harlem Rens’ story has to be right up there with Jesse Owens, Jack Johnson, Arthur Ashe and Paul Robeson,” Hill said during the shoot. “The only difference is that (the Rens’) story hasn’t been told. Jesse Owens and what he did during the Germany Olympics, that story’s been told. We know the importance of it. We know what sacrifices Jackie Robinson endured and about his courage. We don’t neccesarily know the story behind the Harlem Rens. We don’t know about all the other stories out there of what people have gone through that were significant and just as important as what others have done. We need these stories to be told.”

The documentary is expected to debut on ESPN in 2010.

The Knicks and Grant Hill are serious about each other. Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni spent nearly all day — and night — with the former All-Star yesterday, culminating with dinner in the city and a offer on the table.

The offer was for one year and a portion of the Knicks’ mid-level exception. Hill is permitted to sign as soon as tomorrow, the first day free agents are allowed to sign contracts

We think we have a chance, but you never know,” a team source said last night. In a visit that blew Jason Kidd’s away, Hill arrived yesterday at the Garden at 11:30 a.m., got the arena tour and the jersey before being whisked to the Knicks’ practice facility in Westchester.

Last night, Hill, his agent Lon Babby, Walsh and D’Antoni headed out for dinner. The Knicks could blow the Celtics out of the water since Boston is using their $5.8 million mid-level exception on Rasheed Wallace and can offer Hill only the $1.9M lower exception.

With Kidd agreeing to terms with Dallas, the Knicks have their $5.8 million mid-level exception to use and can take half of it to top Boston on a one-year deal for Hill, who played 82 games last season, averaging 12 points and 5 rebounds.

“You want to have players who’ve had a lot of success before so they can show the other players how to do it,” Walsh told The Post. “That’s the kind of player we want to bring in.”

On the surface, small forward is not a positional need, but Walsh feels Hill, at 6-foot-8, also can play shooting guard — a void since Cuttino Mobley’s retirement.

Hill also is considering staying in Phoenix, but the Suns won’t outbid the Knicks. Hill told reporters yesterday at the Garden playing “at the mecca” has always been appealing to him and he has always loved New York. He claimed he would’ve heavily considered the Knicks when he was a free agent in 2000 had the Knicks not tried to move his buddy Patrick Ewing in a sign-and-trade. Hill would have to change his number as he wears 33, which the Knicks have retired.

“Hill’s a class act,” D’Antoni said. “”He knows how to play. I think he’s one of the best free agents out there.”

“Mike and Mike” in the Morning took on a new personality Monday morning as Suns forward Grant Hill played the role of co-host on the show. Substituting for Mike Golic on the ESPN Radio program, Hill discussed what it was like playing against the league’s best players, his favorite memories in basketball and his everyday life.

A two-time NCAA Tournament Champion at Duke University, Hill talked about coach Mike Krzyzewski who over the summer helped lead Team USA to Olympic gold in China. Hill acknowledges “Coach K” for helping him not only be a great person on the court, but off of it, as well.

Cleveland’s LeBron James was also a focal point of the morning talk show, a player whose maturity Hill said “might be more impressive than what he has done on the court.” When asked about defending James, Hill answered, “It’s tough. He is a guy that excels on both ends of the court.”

During the show, the All-Star forward received a call from current teammate Shaquille O’Neal who lists Hill as his favorite player and an overall class act. Hill and O’Neal are not only teammates, but neighbors in Orlando, living in a who’s-who community which also features names like Vince Carter, Ken Griffey Jr. and Tiger Woods.

Phoenix Suns F/G Grant Hill, a seven-time NBA All-Star, will co-host ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. ET M-F) on Monday May 18.

The Detroit Pistons’ 1994 first-round Draft selection and NBA Rookie-of-the-Year will join Mike Greenberg in ESPN Radio’s Bristol, Conn. studios.

Hill, a member of the gold medal winning Dream Team III at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, is subbing for “Greeny’s” regular co-host Mike Golic, who is off.

By Stefan Swiat, Suns.com
Posted: May 1, 2009 When he signed with Phoenix in the summer of 2007, all the naysayers believed that Grant Hill was washed up. Riddled with injuries the six years he played in Orlando, no man alive would’ve thought that the Suns would be inheriting their most durable performer.

Arriving in the Valley as a 35-year-old-small forward, uncertainty circulated around a player that had previously thrived by using his physical gifts and athleticism. Would be still be productive despite the accumulation of injuries that had battered his body? Would he be able to hold up over the course of a season. The answers turned out to be a definitive “yes” to both of those questions. Hill suited up for 70 games in 2007-08, the most since he played in 74 for the Pistons during the 1999-2000 season. Even then, the majority of the games he missed were because due to a fluke appendectomy. But the former Duke Blue Devil outdid that mark this past season, suiting up and playing in all 82 games for the first time in his career. A man who knows a little something about health, Suns Head Athletic Trainer Aaron Nelson, told Hill before his 82nd contest, “Whether you’re 19 or you’re 36, to play in all 82 games is pretty amazing.” Nelson was absolutely right; it’s more unique than one thinks. In fact, Hill was the only Sun to accomplish that feat this season. What impressed Nelson and anyone else who spends time around the game is that players routinely battle the flu, viruses and injuries and Hill was able to avoid those pitfalls – all at 36 years-old. But what’s even more impressive is that Hill was able to avoid those pitfalls playing at his level of intensity.

Hill, who won the Majerle Hustle Award last season, is known for spending more time polishing the floor than a janitor. He constantly take life-threatening charges, is the first to dive for loose balls and drives to the basket with the ferocity seldom seen.

Playing with that sort of reckless abandon exposes Hill to the possibility of injury more than the average player, but Hill refuses to change his style. (more…)

By Bob Baum
Associated Press
Posted: April 15, 2009

PHOENIX (AP) — Grant Hill completed his most durable pro season by scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds Wednesday night to lead the Phoenix Suns past the depleted Golden State Warriors 117-113.

Hill, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his 15 NBA seasons, appeared in all 82 games for the first time in his career. His 27 points matched his season high. Leandro Barbosa added 18 points for the Suns, who failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Shaquille O’Neal scored 15 for Phoenix.

Anthony Morrow wrapped up his strong rookie season with 33 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors, who had eight players in uniform and used only seven. C.J. Watson had 20 points and 12 assists. Kelenna Azubuike added 18 points for Golden State.

Hill was only 7-for-25 from the field but made 13-of-16 free throws.

After the 36-year-old forward made one of two from the line to make it 113-108 with 44.3 seconds to go, he stole the ball in Golden State’s frontcourt, then scored on a layup after a pass from Steve Nash to put Phoenix ahead 115-108 with 25.4 seconds to play. (more…)

The Suns ‘ playoff push turned into more of a shove Wednesday when Phoenix extended its season-high winning streak to six games with a 118-114 home victory over the talented Utah Jazz. Grant Hill turned back the clock as he scored eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, including a huge jumper with 31.5 seconds left to clinch the all-important W.

Hill was ubiquitous the entire game, but particularly so in the fourth period. Hill threw down an impressive flush on a fast break with 4:55 ticks left in the game and then followed it up on the next play with a crowd-pleasing block on Utah’s Carlos Boozer. After another block by Hill on Utah’s Paul Millsap with 2:46 left, Hill literally wrapped up the game in his hands with a huge defensive rebound with five seconds left.

“I’m just amazed by him,” Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry said. “He’s a just a big-time competitor and such a smart player. He really is playing like he’s 25 years-old.

“He still has so much of his athleticism left that we went to him at the end of the game and he made a big shot for us. I’m happy for him because he’s played in every single game we’ve had this year.”

What did the 36 year-old Hill attribute his stellar play towards?

“I watched the movie ‘Cocoon’ last week,” he said.

While the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament may not be officially underway, last Thursday night’s six-overtime game between the University of Connecticut and Syracuse appeared to tip off March Madness in its own unique way. And although a number of current Suns players have partaken in some unforgettable tournament moments of their own, perhaps none has been involved in a more memorable one than veteran forward Grant Hill.

Back in 1992, Hill was a key part of the Duke-Kentucky East Regional Championship Game that treated fans to one of the greatest shots in NCAA Tournament history. With under three seconds to play and Kentucky leading 103-102, Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski called a timeout to draw up one final play for his Blue Devils. Among those sitting on the edge of their seats that evening, were Hill’s parents, Calvin and Janet. Hill’s parents recently discussed their memories of the game with William C. Rhoden of The New York Times, and As Calvin recalled, Kentucky definitely had momentum on its side following Sean Wood’s clutch shot for the Wildcats.

“The Kentucky side went ballistic,” Calvin Hill told the publication. “They’re high-fiving and hugging. People on the Duke side were crying.”

Those tears quickly turned to cheers, however, when Calvin and Janet’s son launched a 75-foot pass to teammate Christian Laettner who turned and sunk a 17-footer just before the buzzer.

“I remember when he hit the shot, I jumped down on the floor from two rows back and I hit my midsection on the back of a chair,” Hill recalls in the article. “Ordinarily I’d been rolling over on the ground, but I said the heck with that, I’m going to enjoy this moment.”