Washington Post Staff Writer
PHOENIX -- You wouldn't think a team with serious postseason aspirations would turn to a 37-year-old to help rescue it physically, but that's exactly what the Phoenix Suns did after losing Game 1 of their first-round playoff series to the Portland Trail Blazers.
NEW YORK – Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the 2009-10 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner, the NBA announced today.
A 15-year veteran, Hill (Pacific) was one of six divisional winners, which included Atlanta’s Al Horford (Southeast), Boston’s Ray Allen (Atlantic), Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison (Central), Denver’s Chauncey Billups (Northwest) and Houston’s Luis Scola (Southwest).
Duke basketball legend, African-American art collector and current NBA star Grant Hill can now add another title to his already impressive resume: documentary film producer.
Already the only two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award, Suns forward Grant Hill could win a third Joe Dumars Trophy this season after it was announced today that Hill is among the 2009-10 divisional winners. Atlanta’s Al Horford, Boston’s Ray Allen, Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison, Denver’s Chauncey Billups and Houston’s Luis Scola were also selected by a five-member panel of former players as divisional winners for the 2009-10 NBA Sportsmanship Award.
By Stefan Swiat, Suns.com
The problem with consistency is that sometimes it’s taken for granted.
One becomes so accustomed to it, that it becomes expected. Therein exists the rub with Grant Hill.
NBA players are mostly creatures of habit. Whether it’s the superstars or the guys fighting for roster spots, you’re likely to uncover a similar pattern of routines: from workouts to eating and sleeping rituals to post-game relaxation tactics employed on a daily basis.
By Joe Gilmartin, Suns.com
When Coach Alvin praises Grant Hill, he is definitely preaching to this choir. And after last night’s squeaker over the short-handed Jazz he was singing them to the high heaven.
After giving due props to Channing Frye’s career night, Mickael Pietrus’s clutch play at both ends of the court, and another routine 20-14 night by Steve Nash, Gentry got down to the crux of the matter and, not incidentally, the real key to this victory.
By Josh Robbins, NBA Insider
People who wander through the desert hope to stumble upon an oasis.
Thirty-seven-year-old Grant Hill plays basketball in the Arizona desert and he's found the fountain of youth.
Hill missed 374 games during his disastrous seven-season tenure with the Orlando Magic, but he has enjoyed a career resurgence with the Phoenix Suns. He played in all of the Suns' games last season, and he's played a significant role in his team's strong start this fall.
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.
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.