Pacers
He’s always struck me more like a 40-year-old assistant coach than a 23-year-old player, which he was at the time of this conversation in an office near the Pacers’ locker room. His words, his voice and his demeanor betray his age.
The 2013 first-round draft pick had an uneventful rookie season, playing sparingly in just 28 games, but was about to be thrust into the mix. Paul George’s horrific leg injury assured him of playing time the following season, and he got it. He played in all 82 games in 2014-15, starting 78, and averaged 8.9 points over 29 minutes.
He already was making some mature decisions as the season was about to unfold, as we discuss here. Now, if he can just get that jump shot working better. It’s the only thing keeping him from becoming an established player certain to have a long career.
Update: Hill lasted just three seasons with the Pacers. He returned to the bench in his third season after Paul George returned and wasn’t a major factor, but suddenly began dropping three-pointers in the first-round playoff series with Toronto, hitting 11-of-19 attempts. That helped him get a four-year deal worth about $45 million from New Orleans. He never matched the production of his second season with the Pacers, and never did become a dependable shooter, but he did manage to play nine NBA seasons and earn more than $50 million.
First aired 2014
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